Urgent need for more police officers in Sutton following stabbing, councillor says

An Ashfield councillor has repeated a call for more police resources in Sutton after a man was stabbed.
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Sutton Central and New Cross Councillor referred to police officers as heroes but said that they were hampered by a lack of resources.

His calls come after a 28-year-old man was discovered with wounds to his stomach and buttock at the doorway of a charity shop on Outram Street.

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Crime in Sutton-in-Ashfield has risen steadily since the closure of the police station, and the number of police officers in the area has also dropped significantly since 2010, Cllr Henningan said.

Central and New Cross Councillors Samantha Deakin and David Hennigan with an officer on the streets of Sutton.Central and New Cross Councillors Samantha Deakin and David Hennigan with an officer on the streets of Sutton.
Central and New Cross Councillors Samantha Deakin and David Hennigan with an officer on the streets of Sutton.

“Whilst this stabbing may have been an isolated incident – it’s clear that our police are struggling to maintain law and order,” he added.

"Our officers are heroes – they’re struggling for resources though.

"It’s like a boxer trying to fight with one hand behind their backs.

Councillors David and Samantha outside the closed Sutton Police StationCouncillors David and Samantha outside the closed Sutton Police Station
Councillors David and Samantha outside the closed Sutton Police Station
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"Since the easing of lockdown, we have seen a rise in crime in places like Sutton-in-Ashfield - there’s a direct correlation between rising crime and a fall in officers.”

The decreasing amount of police officers in the area correlates to a pattern nationally, which has seen a decline in the number of police officers gradually since 2010.

Gov.uk states that there were 129,110 full-time equivalent officers as of March 31 this year across the UK, which is considerably less than only 10 years ago.

Councillor Hennigan praised the work of new Police Inspector Mark Dickson and his team but claimed that their job was ‘verging on the impossible.’

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He added: “Our local officers have had some high profile wins recently including a number of drug busts.

"Inspector Dickson has continued the excellent work of former Inspector Craig Hall.

"It doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes, however, to understand that a visible police presence deters criminals.

"Huge areas of Sutton simply don’t have any police presence. The lack of resources means that we have a force that is largely reactive instead of proactive.

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"The Conservative Government have axed services left, right and centre.

"No amount of rhetoric, spin and bluster can change this.

"What we need is more officers now – this is getting increasingly urgent.”