Residents ‘desperate’ for action on estate
CARSIC AREA IS DESCRIBED AS BEING ‘LIKE THE BRONX’
SYRINGES in gardens, elderly residents being intimidated and drug dealing going off “like a supermarket at all hours”.
These are the scenes described by residents on a troubled Nottinghamshire estate which has been battling anti-social behaviour for months.
The residents, on the Carsic estate in Sutton-in-ashfield, say crime in their area seems to be getting worse - with increased reports in the community of anti-social incidents.
This comes, however, despite Nottinghamshire Police targeting the area as a “priority”, outlining operations in recent months aimed at making “residents feel safe on the streets”.
The estate has been marred for at least the last 18 months, with drugrelated crime culminating in a major incident in August 2019 where a man was attacked with a golf club.
Other incidents, including a “stabbing” and reported sounds of “gunshots”, even led to one resident describing the area as being “like the Bronx”.
One resident who has spoken out about her experiences on the estate in recent weeks is 48-year-old Tracey Jephson, who sees issues first-hand outside her home.
The parent says her 12-year-old daughter has been “shouted at” by people conducting illicit activity over their fence, where she says drug-taking and dealing often takes place.
She says incidents have been reported to police, with no action or presence from officers.
“The drug dealing has never stopped on Paling Crescent, the jitty behind my house is like a supermarket and it’s all hours,” she said.
“I get men shouting things at my 12-year-old daughter through the fence, trying to get my dogs to go to the fence, syringes in my garden and drug-taking behind my fence.
“One of my neighbours has CCTV and pictures [of these incidents], but we give them to the police and outreach team and nothing is done.
“It’s even more terrifying for the older people who live in the bungalows down there, they are being threatened and intimidated if they say anything to them.”
The mum also reported an increase in dog litter, abandoned supermarket trolleys, fly-tipping, thefts from gardens and “arguing and fighting” on the street.
Other residents on the estate have reported hearing of similar incidents, complaining at a lack of action from police.
Tray Greatorex, 50, helped set up the Carsic Estate community group on Facebook and says tougher action is needed on the estate.
He said: “I’ve had lots of residents getting in touch with their concerns and constantly telling me that the police are ignoring it all.
“Residents are desperate for the police to take action, in which they haven’t done yet.
“I’ve seen CCTV footage and photos of all the carrying on in the jitty and it’s not good.
“Tracey [Jephson] has been trying to get the support down there and she’s been banging her head against a brick wall.
“I actually felt Carsic was doing better but it’s not, and I think this Covid has overshadowed the issues and problems we are having.”
Speaking to the Post during a walkabout through the estate in July last year, local inspector Mark Dickson encouraged more residents to report crimes to the police.
He spoke about action already taken on the estate by officers, including drug warrants, utilising the force’s knife crime team and building a stronger relationship with residents.
This led to praise from residents and the district’s MP Lee Anderson, describing Inspector Dickson as “robo-cop” for his efforts to reduce crime in Carsic.
However, residents say they want to see more quick action and for their issues to be resolved by officers.
Responding to their current concerns, Nottinghamshire Police say additional weekend patrols have been set up on the estate to combat antisocial behaviour.
Sergeant Kate Long, who leads the local policing team, said: “Tackling drug related crime is a key neighbourhood priority and is a particular focus of our work on the Carsic estate – an area we know has been affected by drug-related offending in the past.
“Over the last six months we have worked hard not only to take proactive action against offenders, but also to increase the amount of contact we have with local people.
“That means we are able to learn more about what’s happening on the ground and also offers a very visible deterrent.
“In response to community concerns we have also recently commenced a programme of additional weekend patrols in the area to tackle anti-social behaviour. “These very traditional policing initiatives are also being complemented by early intervention programmes with young people and others deemed at risk of getting involved in knife crime. “The good news is that these initiatives aren’t going away and will continue our work to tackle all crime in the local area. “When people have concerns it is vital they contact us to report them. “They can tell one of our officers directly, ring 101 or Crimestoppers, or even contact us through Facebook.”
I actually felt Carsic was doing better but its not.
Tray Greatorex, Carsic Estate community group