Residents of a Mansfield estate say they are feeling intimidated after a spate of anti-social behaviour incidents which has included golf balls being thrown at firefighters. Nottinghamshire Police has been carrying out patrols around the Oak Tree estate after the force confirmed issues including arson and off-road biking.
People living in the area say that the issues of anti-social behaviour and arson, in particular, have been going on for some time. Dr Mansoor Usman, 36, said: "We've been here for just over a year and I've noticed problems ever since moving.
"You can hear shouting and fighting and it does directly affect you because it is unpleasant and I have tried not to go out for a walk in the area. My wife was actually walking to Tesco last year when a guy jumped her and hit her on the back of the head with a bottle.
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"We've also had our bicycles stolen from the back yard so it is a real issue. The glass in our door was smashed as well so I hope something is done about it."
Another resident of the Oak Tree estate, who did not want to be named but who has lived there for over 40 years, said: "I have seen a lot of things and it's mainly gangs of young people. I've seen them running up and bashing doors, one door has actually been cracked because of it.
"There's always so many fires on the heath and anti-social behaviour is just a feature of life here every weekend. There was even an occasion when kids were throwing golf balls at firefighters."
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that crews were dealing with a fire started deliberately at the Oak Tree Heath when they were attacked with golf balls. Area Manager Andy Macey said at the time: "Deliberate fires put lives at risk and take our fire engines away from dealing with other life-threatening incidents.
"With the extreme weather we are already dealing with more incidents than normal, and deliberate fire starting needlessly ties up our resources. Attacks on our crews as they go about their job are completely unacceptable and we will be working with our police colleagues to identify those responsible."
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue also confirmed that it has dealt with a number of fires in recent months, many of which have been confirmed as deliberate, at Oak Tree Heath. The habitat is home to lowland heath, recognised as being incredibly rare across the UK, but recent incidents have left much of the area destroyed and blackened.
Another long-term resident of the Oak Tree estate, who did not want to be named, said: "The more stuff like this happens the more it makes you think about moving, but I obviously don't want to leave my home.
"We have had the mayor around here because we haven't had a councillor ever since our last one sadly passed away. We have been given a number to call to report incidents but none of us has yet because we're all too scared of repercussions."
Philip Johnson, 59, who has lived in Oak Tree for around 5 years, said: "It's a nightmare at the moment and it does make you feel very intimidated.
"I think we've had problems for a while but in the last three months, things have got even worse. One of the main things is the fires at the heath and it is heartbreaking to see how it looks now.
"We are so lucky to have lowland heath here because it's so rare but these people just don't care. It's a mini ecosystem and I've seen deers, squirrels, foxes and all sorts in there but there is just no respect for that or for the people around here from the people doing this."
Inspector Kylie Davies, the district commander for Mansfield, said: "We are aware of issues surrounding low-level arson and youth-related anti-social behaviour in the Oak Tree estate area. I want to reassure the public that cracking down on this type of criminality remains a top priority for us as a neighbourhood policing team.
"We do understand the impact this behaviour can have on local residents and are working hard to identify those responsible and help stop this from happening in the first place. As part of this, we have been working closely with our partners at Mansfield District Council to provide positive activities for young people to do to dissuade them from being involved in anti-social behaviour.
"Our officers have also been carrying out extra high-visibility patrols around hot-spot areas for offending, which has allowed us to positively engage with people, while also dispersing groups at the same time. I'd also like to reassure people they can report any form of criminality without any possible threat of repercussions by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where messages can be left completely anonymously."
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