Seven arrested as police clamp down on antisocial behaviour in Sutton

Police in Sutton worked in partnership with Ashfield District Council’s antisocial behaviour team to settle concerns about noise nuisance, harassment and other offences at the northern end of Outram Street.

Neighbourhood officers and council staff knocked on dozens of doors in the Chatsworth Street and St Michaels area to talk to residents about the problems in the area and also warned four other people about their behaviour.

Police and local authority employees made repeat visits to individuals who have been reported for causing alarm and distress to their neighbours, and letters were sent to every local address asking people to contact the police and council with concerns.

Officers arrested seven people for offences ranging from drugs to robbery, and Community Protection Warnings were issued to four people – the first step in a wider programme of enforcement if they fail to change their behaviour.

Inspector Mark Dickson said: “The vast majority of residents in this area are decent, law-abiding citizens who just want to live their lives in peace and quiet. It is simply not acceptable for a tiny minority of people to have such an adverse impact on the wider community.

“As a local policing team we have been aware of an increased number of incidents in this area and wanted to do something to reassure local residents and to gather more intelligence about local trouble makers.

“In my experience one of main barriers to people engaging with police in this way is a mistaken belief that their complaints won’t be taken seriously and that nothing will be done.

"I want to make it clear to everybody – particularly those who think they bully and intimidate their neighbours – that we do take this stuff very seriously indeed and will always take action where we can.

“If we can’t bring criminal prosecutions against people we will instead work with the council and local landlords to resolve the issue.

"But for us to do any of that we first need to hear from people.

"So please, if you are concerned about anti-social behaviour in your area please give us a call on 101 and let us know about it.”

Increased police patrols will continue in the area over the next few weeks.

Cabinet member for Community Safety Helen-Ann Smith said: “We will not tolerate anti-social behaviour, and we will take all the actions needed to ensure that nuisance behaviour is tackled across the district.

“We know how disruptive it is to live with anti-social behaviour so we will take the necessary enforcement action on residents that think it’s ok to effect the lives of their neighbours and communities.

“The Council is committed to making Ashfield a safer place for all residents to live in and this recent successful work with Nottinghamshire Police clearly demonstrates this.”

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