Police provide venues with body-worn video cameras as part of plan to tackle antisocial behaviour
Police have provided body worn video cameras to supermarket and cafe staff as part of an ongoing scheme to prevent and reduce youth-related antisocial behaviour (ASB).
The issuing of the body cams is just one of a wide range of tactics and crime prevention initiatives which have been actioned through the problem-management plan, called Operation Glenstorm, which was created to drive down ASB in Hawtonville, Newark.
Regular issues have been reported concerning youths in large groups causing a nuisance as well as damage in hotspot areas.
Reports have included youths climbing onto the roofs of shops, throwing stones at buildings, stealing items from shops, being abusive towards staff, and refusing to leave affected premises when asked to do so.
Targeted high-visibility patrols have been increased in ASB hotspot areas in the Hawtonville area under the plan, with extra overtime patrols carried out at peak times.
Neighbourhood police continue to work closely with partners at Newark and Sherwood District Council’s ASB and housing teams as part of a co-ordinated multi-agency effort to reduce ASB.
Among the venues which have been impacted by ASB include Heron Foods in Cardinal Square.
To help tackle the issue, deter offending, and provide added protection for staff, police managed to obtain funding to buy and provide the store with five body worn cameras, with officers giving guidance on how to use them.
Since issuing the cameras to the store in November, neighbourhood officers have not received any further reports of ASB-related disorder at the premises.
Store manager Kevin Rotchell said: “We really appreciate being provided with these cameras. My staff do use them for protection, particularly late at night, and it has also been reassuring to see police cars covering this area.”
Two additional cameras have been provided to a local leisure centre where youths have congregated within its cafe area and caused problems.
Officers continue to enforce a public space protection order (PSPO) authorised by the council which covers the area.
Under the order, youths involved in ASB can be ordered to leave the area for 48 hours and risk being arrested if they do not comply with the order and return to the area.
In addition, additional lighting and signage have been installed in the area following the police’s recommendations and a CCTV camera has also been installed as an added deterrent.
As a result of our joint work to tackle ASB in the Hawtonville area, warning letters have already been issued to the parents/carers of 15 youths identified as being involved in ASB.
Parents have been warned that enforcement action could be taken against their children if they are involved in recurring ASB and their tenancies could be put at risk if these warnings are ignored.
Young ASB offenders may also be referred into Nottinghamshire’s pioneering Immediate Justice scheme, led by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, to prevent re-offending by giving them the chance to take immediate responsibility for their actions by completing community-based activity, or be put on education programmes which will also identify any safeguarding considerations.
Action taken by neighbourhood police to tackle the ongoing issue has included attending affected venues to prevent issues from occurring and to provide crime prevention and security advice, using their powers to order antisocial youths to leave certain hotspot areas, issuing dispersal orders directing individuals to leave a specified area for up to 48 hours, and carrying out joint home visits to speak to parents of children involved in ASB.
As well as enforcement, officers have also been heavily focused on engaging with young people and building relationships.
This youth engagement work has included obtaining funds spent on reclothing a pool table and providing board games to support the Hawtonville Young People's Centre.
The centre has also received funding for other positive diversionary activities for young people, including a graffiti workshop, and to enable an area of the building to be transformed into a vibrant space.
PC Eden Sisson, of the Newark and Sherwood neighbourhood policing team, said: “We take all incidents of antisocial behaviour very seriously as we know it significantly impacts daily life, causing people harassment, alarm, and distress.
“Whether it’s members of staff just doing their job, members of the public doing their shopping, or going out for a coffee with their friends, people don’t want to be affected by large groups of youths causing distress, trying to intimidate people, and generally making everyday life a misery for other people.
“We don’t want to be arresting young people but if they have committed a crime then we will deal with that proportionately and make sure they are dealt with in the correct way.
“As part of our ongoing operation to tackle antisocial behaviour, and to support affected businesses, we have issued body worn video cameras to staff member which they can activate and wear during their shifts, acting as a deterrent.
“Their use of the body cams can also provide us with extra evidence that we might need if an individual does commit a crime.
“We’ve had some really good feedback from the companies we have issued the cameras to in the Hawtonville area.
"Since issuing the cameras to the Heron Foods store in November, I can’t recall that we’ve had any incidents reported to us since.”
PC Sisson added: “Our operation isn’t just about enforcement, it’s also about positive engagement with our young people and working with them.
"It’s really important for us to build good relationships with them so that they know they can approach us and actually talk to us if they have any issues.
“If they learn to trust us and work with us, then hopefully they will see that we’re trying to help them and encourage them to make better choices.
“To help us prevent and reduce ASB we’re urging parents just to make sure they know where their children are and what they’re up to when they’re out and about.
“We don’t want to have to bring them home to their parents to tell them what they’ve been doing. We also don’t want to have to be knocking on their doors to deliver the upsetting news if someone is seriously injured, or worse, because unbeknown to them, their children have been trespassing at sites, climbing unsafe roofs, or playing in dangerous derelict buildings.”
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden added: “This is a fantastic example of proactive partnership working delivering real results for businesses and the wider community.
"By listening to residents and supporting practical, preventative measures like body worn cameras, we’re seeing a tangible reduction in antisocial behaviour in areas like Hawtonville.
"Importantly, this work also goes hand in hand with our longer-term support for young people — from diversionary activities at the local youth centre to our Immediate Justice scheme — we’re focused on tackling the root causes of antisocial behaviour while also ensuring those affected by it feel safer and more supported.”
Councillor Paul Peacock, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “We work extremely closely with Nottinghamshire Police and other partners to tackle antisocial behaviour in our communities.
"No-one should be impacted by antisocial behaviour while they are going about their job, or spending time in their local community.
"The introduction of body worn cameras for local businesses is a practical and effective step in helping to deter unacceptable behaviour and protect staff.
"This initiative, alongside our youth engagement, diversionary activities and environmental improvements, demonstrates our shared commitment to making Hawtonville a safer and more welcoming place for everyone.
"We will continue to take robust action where necessary, while also supporting positive opportunities for young people to thrive.”