Police action to make Newark ‘a hostile place for criminals’
YOUTHS IN ONE AREA SEEN THROWING BRICKS AND EGGS AND SHOUTING ABUSE
A DISPERSAL order has been issued in an area where youths are making people’s lives a “misery”.
Police say they are cracking down on anti-social behaviour in the Hawtonville area of Newark, where a group of people have been abusing the public, throwing bricks and eggs and shoplifting.
A dedicated operation is now in place after the Newark neighbourhood policing team joined forces with Newark and Sherwood District Council and Nottinghamshire County Council.
The ongoing proactive operation, which was launched in August, has involved officers carrying out high-visibility and plain-clothed patrols, after businesses and residents expressed concerns with what was going on.
Dispersal powers have been used to deal with people causing issues, enabling police to order those people to leave the area and not return for up to 24 hours.
Sixteen people have been issued with Acceptable Behaviour Contracts, which specify prohibited acts and the consequences of any breaches.
Six people have been interviewed under caution following incidents such as public order offences, criminal damage and hate crime reports.
“Point of interest” markers implemented in four hotspot areas, meaning any reports of anti-social behaviour at these locations are upgraded by police for urgent attendance.
Fencing has also been repaired around Hawtonville Young People’s Centre to prevent trespassing.
A dispersal zone has been created to enable police to order youths to leave the area and not return for 48 hours, or face arrest.
Activity days, outreach events and community engagement days have also been organised in partnership with Newark and Sherwood District Council and Nottinghamshire County Council.
Neighbourhood Inspector Charlotte Allardice, of Nottinghamshire Police, said the operation had been targeted at several large groups of teenagers.
She said: “This dedicated operation shows how we are listening to concerns raised by our local residents and businesses and taking robust action to tackle anti-social behaviour which causes so much misery to people’s lives.
“It is in response to a rise in antisocial behaviour and alcohol-related violence in Hawtonville which has included reports received of youths causing issues such as throwing bricks and eggs, shouting abuse at people, shoplifting and kicking doors.
“We’re sending a strong message that if you commit a crime in Newark you will be swiftly caught and dealt with.
“I want to reassure law-abiding people our officers are fully committed to preventing crime and keeping them safe and we will continue to relentlessly target those suspected of wrongdoing.
“This ongoing joint operation, which is also being bolstered by the force’s dedicated Operation Reacher team, demonstrates this commitment and our determination to make Newark a hostile place for criminals.”
PC Lydia Day and PCSO Jo Groom are among the officers who carried out the operation.
PC Day said that she understood the impact of anti-social behaviour on neighbourhoods and communities and that she and her colleagues were determined to combat the issue.
She added: “Anti-social behaviour has a significant impact on local residents and businesses.
“As a result, we have been taking action against any youths identified as being involved in such unacceptable behaviour.”