Businesses have shared their views after new security gates have been installed in a town centre to prevent access to an area that has been subject to antisocial behaviour. Anti-social behaviour in Newark has left many residents and workers in the area feeling unsafe, especially surrounding St Marks Place which is known to have regular incidents.
More than £1m has been invested into Newark and Sherwood from the Safer Streets funding, with the most recent project being the security gates installed on St Marks Place, which is one of a number of plans that will be funded in the town centre. Other projects include better street lighting and door entry systems which are expected to help prevent drug use, anti-social behaviour and make residents feel safer.
James Singer, co-owner of Simply Sweet, which backs onto St Marks Place where the gates have been installed said he had noticed the gates had been installed, and said: "For the businesses that are behind the gates its brilliant."
Read More: Nottinghamshire households will be able to apply for £400 energy bill help this month
He explained that the area could be being used by people for shelter at night. Regarding anti-social behaviour in the area, James said: "We had a break in recently and we were led to believe that that was a drug user.
"Sometimes it's just kids being a bit boisterous, personally as a business we don't see it too much but I have noticed that it seems to go in waves. I don't think we are any different from any other town, and I don't know if there's an easy solution without having more police on patrol all the time day and night, which would then prevent them from dealing with other crimes that may be more serious.
"More CCTV would be better and better monitored cctv. If people are aware that there is more CCTV, it's more visible and it works, then it will deter people from causing problems."
A manager of another Newark business which backs onto St Marks Place said: "Sometimes we get young lads messing about at the front of the shop and giving us some grief. We've not really had any issues at the back, just the odd smashed bottle really but I suppose you would get that anywhere."
Co-owners of the Lombard Big Discount store, Renjana George and George Alex, explained that they have also had issues with youths. Renjana said: "It's always been an issue.
"We have had our windows broken and we have had shoplifting. I think the police have to do more, the children behave so badly, they are uncontrollable."
She added that they do have some concerns about the space towards the back of their shop, but "police are patrolling that site." Owner of Koinonia on St Marks Place, said: "There is a lot of issues here and a lot of problems.
"I have recently had my window broken which cost £2500 to repair. There is no parental control over these kids, and they are making trouble for all of us."
He explained that the gates added by the police are "good" but more needs to be done as it feels like "nothing is happening." Adding: "Maybe there is something more the council can do."
In November 2022, the anti-social behaviour in the area became so bad that the newly opened YMCA charity shop on St Marks Place had to lock its doors in order to keep children who "wreak hell" outside of the store. At the time the manager, Sarah Morgan, told Nottinghamshire Live she was at her "wits end" after calling the police several times.
In addition to the gates, the safer streets funding will also be used to help train staff at licensed venues to help keep women and girls safe at night, whilst also supporting the Shopwatch and Pubwatch schemes with a data sharing app. The £750,000 Safer Streets funding for Newark and Sherwood District Council will also be shared by Bassetlaw District Council, and is part of the £3m that has been secured the projects across Nottinghamshire by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire.
Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry said: “The funding for Newark will be targeted at projects that will make a real difference to people’s lives. It is helping shopkeepers protect their businesses and make shoppers feel safer. It will keep the streets lighter at night in areas where people previously felt uneasy after dark. And it will help residents feel safer in their homes by keeping their spaces secure.
“Making people safe and, importantly, helping them to feel safe is what the Safer Streets fund is all about and I’m really happy we have been able to bring such a huge amount of funding to Nottinghamshire. We will now be working closely with our local partners to make sure we maximise every penny on behalf of the public to help achieve our ambition to Make Notts Safe.”
In addition to tackling neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour, the Safer Streets funding is also being used to prevent violence against women and girls. Councillor Roger Jackson, Portfolio Holder for Cleaner, Safer, Greener at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “I’m thrilled to see this funding once again being invested in making our community safer.
“The feedback we received from residents and local businesses, following the previous projects, was extremely positive, and proved the scheme can make a real difference in the feeling of safety and security. This new gating is just the beginning of many more investments.
“We are always working towards a cleaner, safer and greener Newark and Sherwood and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve, with our partners, over the course of the project.”
A spokesperson for Berkley Estates Limited added: “It is great to see the gating installed, and we are pleased to be able to work with Newark and Sherwood District Council and its Safer Street partners to enhance the security and safety of the community in the area.”
Read Next:
Doorbell camera captures 'unexplained object' falling from the sky
Thousands of pounds of Nottinghamshire taxpayers' cash goes towards controversial charity Stonewall
'Game-changer' campaign launches to tackle serious crime in Nottinghamshire
Irish traveller mum living in 'disgusting' Nottingham council flat with ceiling covered in mould
