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Police reassuring the public after day of crime and anti-social behaviour in Arnold

By Callum Wright

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Police are reassuring the public after an MP raised concerns following a day of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage in Arnold.

Gedling MP Michael Payne said he received multiple reports in and around the town centre on Sunday, October 27, including teenagers throwing rocks and intimidating people on the street.

Mr Payne, who became the area’s MP in July, responded to residents’ reports by writing to Kate Meynell, Nottinghamshire Police’s chief constable, and Gary Godden (Lab), the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner.

In the letter, he asked for a ‘zero tolerance’ to public nuisance and quick action to reassure people living in the town.

In response, Mr Godden said tackling anti-social behaviour is a key part of his crime plan and said extra funding could be provided to Arnold to address the issue.

He also said he would arrange a meeting with Mr Payne and Gedling’s Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Heather Harding to tackle issues in the town. 

Inspector Harding has also issued a statement reassuring people in the town about problems over the weekend.

She 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 about 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.”

In his letter, Mr Payne said incidents included 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.

He added: “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.”

Responding to the MP’s letter, crime commissioner Mr Godden said: “Improving our response to anti-social behaviour is one of the core components of my new Police and Crime Plan, including work to ensure that our neighbourhood teams have a better understanding of their local communities and the issues that affect them and have the skills and resources to address the issues that are important to communities.

“Arnold is also one of the areas that can call on additional funding for hot spot policing patrols to tackle antisocial behaviour.

“I understand there are already some increased patrols in the area as a result of this funding, which my Office received from the Home Office.”