Gedling MP calls for ‘zero tolerance’ approach after ‘lawless’ activity in Arnold

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Arnold's Front Street

By Callum Wright

Gedling’s MP has urged Nottinghamshire Police to provide ‘urgent assistance’ following a day of antisocial behaviour and criminal damage across Arnold.

Michael Payne, who became Labour MP for Gedling in July, says he received numerous reports from Arnold residents about a spate of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage on Sunday, October 27.

The incidents include a large group of teenagers harassing a couple and throwing rocks at them around George Street and Nottingham Road, with one rock causing damage to a resident’s car.

He says a group of teenagers also threatened and harassed participants of a local history walk, while there were two separate reports of a car window and front room window being smashed near Furlong Street.

While it’s unknown whether the incidents are linked, Mr Payne has written a letter to Kate Meynell, Nottinghamshire Police’s chief constable, and Gary Godden (Lab), the county’s police and crime commissioner.

In the letter, posted on his social media, he asked for a swift ‘zero-tolerance approach’ to deal with the individuals involved and reassure residents.

The letter shared by Michael Payne MP on Facebook.

He said: “Following several reports of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage in and around Arnold town centre over this weekend, I’ve written to the chief constable of Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner urging a swift, robust, zero-tolerance response to deal with those responsible for this lawless and utterly unacceptable behaviour.

“I’ve also raised my concerns and the concerns of my constituents with the Leader & Chief Executive of Gedling Borough Council and our local Police Inspector and team.

“I’m committed to working hard to make our streets safer for the law-abiding majority. This is my hometown and I won’t tolerate a loutish minority attempting to intimidate and harass people here or anywhere across the community I’m proud to serve.”

Gedling’s Neighbourhood Inspector Heather Harding said: “I would like to reassure the local community that we are aware of a group of children who have been reportedly causing anti-social behaviour in the town centre area. We are working with the council to identify the people involved with a view of taking enforcement action where circumstances allow.

“There is currently an operation in place which has allowed me to staff additional patrols in the area to deter incidents, identify offenders and take positive action.

“We have reviewed the incidents that have come in over the weekend and there are minimal calls in relation to groups or anti-social behaviour.

“There is no indication at this time to suggest that it was the same groups but our neighbourhood policing team are working to identify anyone causing problems in the local area and will take positive action wherever possible.

“We would urge residents to please contact us as soon as an incident takes place by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.”

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