People in Beeston say the authorities there have "no control" over young people as police deploy more officers to try and bring down anti-social behaviour in the town. Nottinghamshire Police say that residents have expressed concerns about increases in both anti-social behaviour and criminal damage in Beeston, particularly across its tram network.
The additional officers deployed will be able to use dispersal orders to prevent offenders from returning to Beeston. Jim Nurse, a 70-year-old from Toton, said of the extra police resources: "It would be good. If the anti-social behaviour continues it will become a ghost town. Long Eaton is the same.
"Sometimes we've seen it when we get on the tram, you see when they get on and you know they haven't paid. It's the sign of the times, there's no control. There's no respect, they walk around in packs."
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Nottinghamshire Police say that abuse and threatening behaviour in the town centre and people being intimidated on trams are among the incidents reported recently. The force say that officers have tried to engage with those responsible but that problems still exist and a "no-nonsense" approach will now be taken.
Dubbed Operation Potassium, officers will target offenders and provide a "visible deterrent" in Beeston. Areas covered will include Beeston town centre, as well as areas around Dovecote Lane and Chilwell Road, with the operation running from Monday (October 31) through December.
Neighbourhood Inspector Mike Ebbins, who covers the Beeston area, said: "The area has repeatedly been affected by a small number of groups causing disruption to our residents, businesses, and visitors. Appeals have been made for parents to challenge and educate their children over their actions, but the problem still exists.
“I don't want residents to think we have ignored this problem. We haven't. We have tried to engage with the young people and work at finding solutions to the problem. But enough is enough.
"There will be a no-nonsense approach and we now have a plan in place to put officers in these locations for an extended period of time. Beeston is a great place to live, work and visit and we won't have it spoilt by a small minority."
Chilwell security officer Emon Kazem, 36, who works at the University of Derby, said that he had noticed problems in Beeston. He said: "The kids aren't bothered about the law and not bothered about the police. It's from the age of 10-16, they hang around the tram stops and I've seen one of them doing something to the fence.
"They're just a bit of a nuisance and I don't think a dispersal order will stop it. They know they're allowed to film and film the police. They'll share things online - Facebook and YouTube. As much as social media is a good thing, it doesn't help the kids."
A retired Beeston Rylands resident, who wished not to be named, said: "We get the gangs walking around. They drive around on motorbikes whizzing around, usually at night. We do need a police presence, they need to crack down on it before it all gets worse. Beeston town centre needs a police presence. Years ago there used to be loads of them parked down here."
Councillor Milan Radulovic, the leader of Broxtowe Borough Council, said: "We have positively and creatively engaged with these young people in Beeston and where that has failed, they need to understand that with freedom comes responsibility. Residents have been asking for this.
"They feel intimidated and have real concerns. If these young people continue to act in a way that threatens and intimidates people, we will not fail in our endeavours to make sure they comply with the law."
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