High-visibility patrols are now operating in Beeston to stamp out the anti-social behaviour blighting residents’ lives following concerns from the community. Police have a new operation running in the town after reports from residents and businesses.
Criminal damage, threatening and abusive behaviour and throwing eggs and stones at houses are just some of the reported incidents, Nottinghamshire Police reports. Some of the incidents involve children as young as nine.
Areas of concern include tram stops, Beeston town centre, Dovecote Lane, and Chilwell Road. Operation Potassium was launched on Monday, October 31, with the force saying that some of the incidents have been resolved before escalating.
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Officers will take action against any young person who breaks the law - but are using dispersal orders to prevent them returning to the area. Neighbourhood Inspector Mike Ebbins, who covers the Beeston area, said the operation has been launched to ensure residents feel safe and that their concerns are being addressed.
He said: “We have acknowledged the concerns raised by businesses and residents and are applying a no-nonsense approach. People should be able to work, live and visit Beeston without facing the level of abuse that these small groups of young people are posing.
“During Halloween, we had five incidents where we were able to be on scene right away and sort it out. This team is dedicated to sorting out these problems before they escalate.
“The dispersal order is also working to stop them congregating around the tram stops and being abusive to tram customers and drivers. Within 15 minutes of being called out to one gathering and issuing a warning they had all dispersed.
“We don’t want this in Beeston and when they are being collared by my officers each evening it sends out a pretty strong warning that we are watching their every move and it makes sense to either behave or leave the area.”
PC Natasha Yaqub and PC Scott Redgate are part of the team, which will be running throughout November and December. PC Yaqub said: “We can attend anything from threatening or abusive behaviour on the tram to causing problems at local businesses.
“When we had issues, the other day we had two officers outside a business to prevent the young people coming back and will continue to deploy this tactic. We are talking about very young people, from nine upwards. Our first point of call is to always engage with them.
“We are working with the council to offer them diversionary activities instead of hanging on the streets but when engagement does not work then we are not afraid to use the powers of the law to remove them from hotspot areas and make life difficult for them to return.”
PC Redgate added: “It is really great to be part of this team to improve Beeston town centre and the surrounding areas. It is what residents have called for. We know where it is happening, we are visiting these spots not only in the day but through the night and we are hopeful that things will improve for everyone as a result of this operation.”
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