Juliet Campell column: Tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in Eastwood

In particular, concerns have been raised about drug-related activity near Hall Park Academy.

This is unacceptable.

Residents rightly expect to feel safe in their community, and it is deeply worrying when criminal activity is reported so close to a school.

At my coffee morning at Eastwood Town Council this month, many residents came to speak to me about crime and ASB.

Many people report feeling unsafe and are worried that the police presence is insufficient to deter or tackle the issues in the town.

For 14 years, Tory underfunding left communities like Eastwood paying the price.

Cuts to local services weakened neighbourhood policing, reduced visible officer numbers and ultimately left Eastwood without a police station.

Residents have seen the impact of those decisions first hand, with many feeling that our town has been neglected for far too long.

I have been raising these issues directly with Nottinghamshire Police, pressing for increased resources and a stronger policing presence in Eastwood.

Tackling drug dealing requires sustained enforcement and officers who are visible within the community.

I am also pushing the Home Office to ensure that communities like Eastwood receive the funding and resources we need.

After years of cuts, rebuilding neighbourhood policing must be a priority.

Eastwood cannot continue to be overlooked while residents deal with crime and ASB that affects their quality of life.

Everyone deserves to feel safe where they live.

Eastwood is a proud and resilient community, but resilience should never be mistaken for accepting decline.

Our town deserves safer streets, visible policing and the resources needed to tackle crime effectively.

I will continue working with Nottinghamshire Police, the Home Office and local partners to ensure Eastwood gets the support it needs and the policing presence that residents rightly expect.