Call for action on Mansfield council estate where residents are 'genuinely terrified daily'

The concerned resident, who wished to remain anonymous for their safety, added that incidents of anti-social behaviour and criminal activity on the Oak Tree Estate are “out of control”.

They said: “It’s getting dangerous to live up here right now. People are genuinely terrified.

“There’s theft – bikes being stolen from outside people’s houses and sheds. The thieves so brazen just walking onto people’s gardens and taking whatever they like.

“There’s intimidation from youths hanging around in groups, wearing balaclavas and carrying bats.

“You can literally just see their eyes – no wonder people are terrified. I’m not joking when I say the youngest member is seven years old. Who on earth is buying these young children a balaclava?

“It’s out of control now."

The resident also alleged there is frequent arson and drug use on the estate, along with other sinister incidents.

They said: “I heard of a young girl who was walking down Jubilee Way and one of these youths actually went up to her and tried to set fire to her hair.

“That could have permanently disfigured her and caused life-changing injuries.

“They’re also smoking cannabis out in the streets and carrying weapons. I know someone who was out for a walk and discovered a machete – and police have also removed air rifles from them as well.

“The amount of fires up here is unbelievable. There seems to be a fire every other day on the heathland in the middle of the estate.

“Basically, things are getting reported literally on a daily basis but there seems to be no real repercussions.

“And those responsible are proud of the fact they’re getting away with their behaviour.”

A number of shops in the area, the resident alleged, are having to keep doors locked when there are no customers inside. And many residents are reportedly too afraid to leave home by themselves.

They added: “It’s scary. It’s really scary. I know many young children who are petrified to leave the house.

“I know someone who has left the estate because of how scared they were.

“Elderly people are scared to go out. It seems everyone you speak to has had an encounter with them.

“It’s not just a case of kids will be kids – not when they’re carrying weapons. We’re fully living in fear now.”

The resident is calling for authorities to take notice and help clamp down on the anti-social behaviour and crime once and for all.

“Someone needs to take action because we are literally living in a tinder box,” the resident said.

“This estate is going to explode and it’s going to take someone getting killed for something to be done.

“We’re not asking for money to be thrown at the estate, that’s not what’s needed.

“We’re asking for a plan to be put into place and reassurance to be given that these individuals are not going to keep getting away with this.

“We need tougher penalties for them – at the moment they’re not seeing any consequences.

“It’s time something was done. We just want someone to listen and to understand what we’re living in.”

Plan of action

Councillor Marion Bradshaw, portfolio holder for safer communities, housing and wellbeing at Mansfield District Council, said: “There is a multi-service action plan in place for Oak Tree Lane estate, which involves the council’s Housing, Antisocial Behaviour and Private Sector Housing teams working with Nottinghamshire Police to jointly deal with known issues.

“Children from a small group of families, both council tenants and private tenants, are thought to be responsible for much of the reported ASB on the estate and in the surrounding area.

“The council has already served warning letters to several of its own tenants and followed this with notices of possession.

“Evidence is being gathered to help support any future eviction proceedings.

“The council owns just over half the properties on the estate so this is not just a council problem and requires a multi-agency approach.

“We are in contact with other registered housing providers and private landlords, where necessary.

“We understand some residents may be reluctant to report issues for fear of reprisals but evidence is invaluable if/when any legal proceedings reach court.

“We’d strongly urge anyone who experiences or witnesses crime to contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101.

“You can also report ASB via the council’s Antisocial Behaviour Hotline on 01623 460144, or if you are a council tenant, speak to your housing officer about any concerns.”

Building trust

Police in Mansfield said they are also aware of the issues and increasing patrols in the area.

Inspector Kylie Davies, district commander for Mansfield, said: “This kind of criminal and antisocial behaviour is entirely unacceptable and will never be tolerated by Nottinghamshire Police.

“Where offences are reported to us we respond accordingly and work to bring those responsible to justice.

“But ultimately the job of community policing is about far more than this – it is about working to challenge long-term problems and building trusting relationships among the community.

“That’s why we are increasing uniformed and plain-clothed patrols in the local area, and also why we have recently launched a new operation in response to a number of deliberate fires that have been reported to us.

“Even when incidents area not criminal in nature, we fully understand that they can have a very negative impact on people’s lives.

“As a result we are also working every day with local partners to identify people who behave in unacceptable ways and put in place measures to stop them.

Sergeant Neil Priestly added: “We understand that some members of the community are reluctant to report things directly to us, but I would like to stress that we can be contacted anonymously on both 101 and via Crimestoppers.

“We want to know when incidents and offences are taking place and we want to help.”