Visible Police Patrols Fight Antisocial Behaviour in Newark and Sherwood
Whether on foot or behind the wheel of a squad car, officers’ visible presence is key to tackling antisocial behaviour (ASB) across Newark and Sherwood. Despite ongoing efforts, reports of window smashing, off-road bikers causing chaos, and street abuse remain common.
Quick Response Nips Trouble in the Bud
During a patrol, PC Lydia Day was alerted to groups of youths causing a disturbance in Hawtonville, Newark. She promptly attended the scene in the police van and dispersed the troublemakers — just minutes after visiting the hotspot on a proactive patrol.
“Carrying out these patrols provides a visible presence in the community and ultimately helps deter this kind of behaviour,” said PC Day.
She added: “On a typical day, our neighbourhood team gets called out to everything from large groups causing a nuisance to criminal damage and abusive behaviour. Being visible on the streets aims to stop this and protect the wider community.”
From Schools to Dispersal Orders: The Multi-Pronged Approach
- Officers regularly visit schools to educate pupils on the impact of ASB.
- Dispersal orders allow police to move people away from trouble spots fast.
Last month, a 48-hour dispersal order targeted Hawtonville after reports of youths climbing roofs, throwing stones, and causing havoc. The order allowed police to send anyone under 16 found in the area home to their parents — successfully halting further incidents.
ASB is More than Just Teen Trouble
Inspector Matt Ward warned that ASB stretches beyond young troublemakers. “There are disputes between neighbours, drunk behaviour, off-road bikers, and revving cars,” he said. “We target hotspots during regular patrols and use dispersal orders and school engagement to tackle these issues.”
“Everything we do is aimed at making our communities safer and improving people’s lives. ASB can be the precursor to more serious crime, so cracking down is vital,” added Inspector Ward.
Reducing ASB remains a top priority for the Nottinghamshire police, who urge the public to report incidents to help keep communities safe.
