Verbal update from Nottinghamshire Police
Minutes:
Inspector Robert Wilson, from Nottinghamshire Police, presented a verbal update on policing in the Arboretum, Dunkirk and Lenton, Radford and Park area:
(a) there has been a rise in car crime, particularly theft from vehicles, with some instances of cars being left unlocked or bags being left on display;
(b) there have also been a number of motorbike thefts, and greater motorbike security has been encouraged. Arrests have been made following careful Police pursuits for failing to stop and the theft of 2 motorbikes;
(c) there has been some increase in home burglary, fluctuating from area to area. On Friday morning, a call was received at 11am from the Park area, when an intruder was seen climbing out of the window of a house, and a suspicious person was seen in a garden. An offender was later arrested, and charged with a total of 7 offences. The Scene of Crimes department take fingerprints when there has been a burglary and often get good fingerprint results;
(d) there was a serious robbery offence in the Arboretum some months ago, with a second offender evading capture. The Detective Team at Radcliffe Road tracked him down to Finland, he has since been extradited and charged in connection with that offence.
(e) Goose Fair is fast approaching. Protection and crime prevention is incredibly well organised across many organisations to ensure that Goose Fair is safe and enjoyable. It clearly impacts local people with the size and scale. This year it will run from 4 – 8 October;
(f) work has taken place with both universities with a view to the students’ imminent return. The main aims are to help prevent students from becoming victims of crime, and encouraging responsible behaviour and limiting the impact their large numbers can cause;
(g) significant work is ongoing regarding premises selling illicit tobacco;
(h) there was a minor injury from a stabbing on Gregory street. An arrest been made. Thankfully the injuries to the victim were not severe and the victim spent only a couple of hours in hospital;
(i) an incident which occurred on Holden Street thankfully resulted in only minor injuries, and there are some good positive leads;
(j) some good progress has been made in the investigation into an assault near the Arboretum. It has become clear that initial reporting on the incident was not entirely accurate, and as a result there is not considered to be any significant risk in relation to that incident.
There followed a number of questions and comments from the Committee, Community Representatives and citizens:
(k) previously there has been an increase in thefts from allotments during Goose Fair. In recent years the main crime issue has been the theft of mobile phones, although thanks to the plans put in place crime is very low during this period. In 2016 there were over 400,000 visitors to Goose Fair, and only 7 or 8 crimes, 5 of which were theft of mobile phones;
(l) a significant issue in the City Centre is users of the drug Mamba. There are ongoing community meetings on the issue involving the Police, and a multi-agency approach is needed going forward;
(m) recently, residents in Dunkirk and Lenton were woken by a street fight. Police attended but no arrests were made, which led to an impression that the incident was not taken seriously, even though it was very frightening for local residents. There are a lot of procedures in place for dealing with such incidents, and the Inspector Robert Wilson offered to look into the specific incident and what actions was taken;
(n) local residents often voice concern over the large student numbers attracting drug dealers to their area, and who to call if they see dealing of drugs. Inspector Wilson advised that 999 is the emergency line, so he would advise calling 101 or Crime Stoppers: 0800 555 111, with any information such as the registration number of any vehicles used, the address of any residence or business used, and description of people involved. Whilst it is difficult to stop a deal in process, as it can be completed within seconds, any intelligence may lead to warrants being issued to search all related premises and vehicles.
RESOLVED to thank Inspector Robert Wilson for the update, and note the contents.