By Scott Gibson
The stabbing of a teenager outside a Gedling pub has led politicians to call on Nottinghamshire Police to do more to stop violent crime.
The victim, a 17-year-old boy, was taken to hospital with serious injuries after being attacked outside The Ram Inn on Mansfield Road in Redhill in the early hours of this morning (May 25). His condition is described as stable.
Police were called to the scene on Mansfield Road at around 2am. Afterwards a 24-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy were arrested on suspicion of affray.
Hours later, Labour politicians Councillor John Clarke, Leader of Gedling Borough Council, deputy leader Michael Payne and Vernon Coaker, MP for Gedling, released a joint statement, raising their concerns about crime in the area.
Notts Police say they are increasing patrols in the area and continue to target knife crime with specialist officers.
The statement, signed off by Gedling’s three most prominent politicians, read: “We are calling on anyone who has information relating to this incident to urgently contact Nottinghamshire Police.
“In recent months we have raised concerns both locally and nationally about policing and police resources.
“Only two days ago Vernon Coaker MP spoke in Parliament on the issue of serious violence and policing response.”
Cllr Clarke, Cllr Payne and Mr Coaker added they have called for an urgent meeting with Nottinghamshire Police’s Chief Constable Craig Guildford and local inspector to discuss public concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.
The statement added: “We are seeking reassurances and action from the police, including a greater police presence in our local community.
“In spite of Nottinghamshire Police’s recent repeated use of dispersal orders in Arnold town centre, there are ongoing problems with crime, anti-social behaviour and a general fear of crime is increasing.
“We must see an increased police presence in our local community, firmer action by the police to stop incidents like this from happening again and a zero-tolerance approach to crime and anti-social behaviour.”
Detective Inspector Martin Putnar of Nottinghamshire Police said: “I’m aware that residents may be concerned following this incident.
“However, I would like to reassure them that this is an isolated incident and there is no wider risk to the general public.”
Mr Putnar also said that there may be a heavier police presence on the streets in the area over the next few days, but residents should not be alarmed.
He added: “We continue to treat knife crime very seriously and, alongside the introduction of our dedicated Knife Crime Team, we are working closely with partners and the local community to tackle this issue, which has seen an increase nationally in recent months.”
Police cordoned off an area around the Ram Inn pub which stayed in place until the afternoon, causing disruption for some local businesses.
Director of the nearby Redhill Service Centre Nader Zakitour, 57, said: “The police were there already when I got here this morning at 8.30.
“The area was all taped off when and we couldn’t get a customer’s car out because it was behind the police cordon and they wouldn’t let us get to it.
“We finally got the car out at about half two.”
