How £475k will be used to tackle crime in Ashfield
Plus: Update issued on plans for town centre Wilko
Good morning and welcome to your Thursday briefing from Ashfield News. Today, thousands of pounds will be spent tackling crime in the district, an update on plans for a town centre Wilko and much more.
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Thousands to be spent tackling crime
Thousands of pounds will be used to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Ashfield.
Patrols in crime hotspots and a domestic abuse and sanctuary scheme will be among the initiatives put in place.
The Ashfield Community Safety Partnership has been granted just over £475,000 from sources including Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Nottinghamshire Police and the county council.
Ashfield District Council will discuss the funding raised later this month to facilitate projects to address crime in the district.
John Willmott, executive lead member for community safety and crime reduction at Ashfield District Council, said: “Working with partner agencies to tackle and reduce levels of crime and anti-social behaviour in the district is a massive priority for us and this funding will enable us to do so.
“This funding will allow us to continue to deliver community safety initiatives that focus on preventative, educational and enforcement interventions across areas of most prominence.
“We want our communities to feel safe and we are working hard with partners to achieve these goals.”
Other projects set to benefit from the funding include new CCTV in problem areas, security measures on some residential homes and a licensed premises scheme.
In addition, more than 350 hours of high-visibility patrols will be carried out in parts of Hucknall and Sutton to deter potential anti-social behaviour.
Safe accommodation and support will also be offered to domestic abuse victims in the area.
The initiatives will be discussed by the district council’s cabinet on September 16.
Update issued on plans for town centre Wilko
West Notts College has been told it will not need prior approval to change the use of a former Wilko into a state-funded school.
The college announced plans in July to convert the store in Outram Street into a centre for construction students.
Under the plans, the property would be refurbished to create classrooms, a workshop space and offices, with the hope of being ready for students in September next year.
Previously, Gavin Peake, director of IT, estates and learning resources at the college, said: "It will increase the number of campuses where people can learn construction trades, following our recent acquisition of the former Mansfield Brewery site, which will welcome learners on joinery, plastering, brickwork, and property maintenance courses from September 2024."
Ashfield District Council planners decided there was no need for prior approval to change the use of the building.
Cannabis factory shut down
Police have closed down cannabis factory discovered across two neighbouring homes.
Police raided a property in Alcock Avenue, Mansfield, at about 8am on Monday, September 9, following a tip-off a property was being used to cultivate the drug.
Officers found plasterboard was covering the property’s windows and when they entered, it was discovered the home and a connecting property were full of plants and growing equipment.
Around 450 plants in total were found growing inside multiple rooms across both properties.
There was also evidence that attempts had been made to bypass the electricity supply.
A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of cultivating a Class B drug.
Sergeant Neil Priestley, of the Mansfield neighbourhood policing team, said: “This was a large grow which would have provided substantial profits for the criminals behind it.
“It is always good news when we can disrupt this criminal behaviour by putting the grow out of use.
“We’re thankful for information from the public which has alerted us to this grow. If you believe cannabis is being cultivated on your street please get in touch with police.
“Grows of this nature attract further crime and are extremely dangerous as a fire risk. Please help us to take the positive action needed to put them out of use, make arrests and seize and destroy the drugs.”
Goose Fair tram strike warning
A union has warned tram strikes could take place during Nottingham's Goose Fair in a dispute over pay.
GMB says more than 90% of tram workers voted in favour of industrial action.
About 300 workers including drivers, maintenance staff and ticket office employees would be expected to walk out.
This year's Goose Fair will take place at the Forest Recreation Ground, Nottingham, from 27 September to 6 October.
Man jailed after punching officer during disorder
A man has been jailed for punching a police officer during disorder in Nottingham city centre.
Stephen Wilson, 35, struck the officer in the face with substantial force on 3 August 2024 in King Street, as police managed unrest linked to a protest in Old Market Square.
Identified through a media appeal, Wilson appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on 10 September, where he was sentenced to four months in prison.
Wilson, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker.
He also admitted to possession of a Class B drug after cannabis was found in his cell following his arrest.
The attack occurred as the officer assisted a colleague in an arrest.
The officer, who had volunteered to work that day, suffered a cut, swollen lip, a damaged tooth, and bruising to his cheek.
Chief Inspector Karl Thomas of Nottinghamshire Police condemned the assault, stating: “No emergency worker should be subjected to violence of this nature. Wilson’s actions had the potential to escalate disorder during a tense period in our communities.”