Calverton residents say anti-social behaviour has ‘let the village’ down as youths and cars gather in the precinct at night. According to a social media post in a local community Facebook group, youths have been seen smashing bottles in the square. Reports also suggest the shutters of shops have also been kicked.
The precinct, located off Crookdole Lane, Mansfield Lane and Main Street, is home to a number of independent businesses, as well as the likes of Greggs, a Sainsbury's Local, while it's also home to a GP practice and library.
Villagers said the car park was used as a meeting point for groups. While police have stepped up patrols and inspectors have asked parents to check where their children are in the evenings, and educate them on the behaviour which has been blighting the community.
On the problems in the village, one resident, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s terrible, it’s really bad. The cars are just speeding all the time at night, the noise is unbelievable.
"They gather around here at night, it’s just awful. It does let the village down. This is the main precinct where we get people from all over coming - it’s terrible. It’s every night.”
Another villager, who asked not to be named, added: “At night it’s terrible, it’s dangerous and cars are horrendous. Just around the corner is all smashed bottles, you can see all the smashed glass.
"It’s been going on for years, it’s upsetting when you’ve lived here all your life. It [Calverton] used to be a close community but it’s just expanded and got bigger and bigger.”
Alan Spafford, 66, said: “It’s a nightmare, it’s not acceptable nowadays. Is it due to the expansion of the village? New people don’t appreciate the village as much. It shouldn’t happen. Cars are speeding, they don’t obey the 30mph.”
But Kate Day, who is 54 and has lived in the village for 20 years, said: “It’s not too bad, at night young people don't have a lot of places to go. I would say it’s no worse than elsewhere.
"Because you’re in a village and not a town I suppose it’s more noticeable. It’s annoying when people leave rubbish around. It’s a bit annoying when there’s children and people and if there’s cars racing and don’t know who they could plough over." Other residents have previously spoken about wider speeding issues in the village.
Inspector Mike Ebbins, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We understand antisocial behaviour has a big impact on local residents and businesses and we remain determined to preventing this kind of disorder before it happens
“We have stepped up high-visibility patrols in antisocial behaviour hot-spot areas in the Calverton area and will take appropriate action against anyone found to be behaving inappropriately. I would also appeal directly to parents to check where their children are in the evenings and to educate them on the serious impact this behaviour is having on our local residents and businesses.”
Insp Ebbins added: “Speeding is another issue which we know local residents are concerned about. Tackling and reducing speeding is one of our priorities, with villages like Calverton among others being part of our focused enforcement.
“We continue to undertake proactive targeted high-visibility speeding operations throughout the Gedling borough to combat this issue, which affects residents’ quality of life, and we will continue to take positive action to address their concerns and help keep our roads safe.
“As a force we see the devastating impact speeding can have after resulting in serious and fatal collisions. Speed limits are there for a reason and drivers exceeding them are not only breaking the law but are selfishly putting others at risk.
“We would urge anyone speeding to think about the impact a collision could have on not only their lives but an innocent person’s as well. Please stick to the speed limit, pay attention and take care at all times.”
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