Comprehensive approach tackles antisocial behaviour in Beeston area

A successful high-visibility police operation is helping to make a difference to the lives of young people in the Beeston area as well as driving down antisocial behaviour. 

As part of the ongoing Operation Potassium, which includes police patrolling in hotspot areas to deter and clamp down on antisocial behaviour, the Beeston neighbourhood policing team is working closely with partners at Broxtowe Borough Council and local charity Transform Training to divert young people away from crime and encourage them to make positive life choices.

Specialist youth workers are currently engaging with two groups of young people (aged under and over 13), providing both one-to-one and group interventions and activities.

Sports sessions, including basketball and boxing, have been provided to help boost youngsters’ fitness, social skills, and confidence, enabling them to channel their energy in a positive way.

However, this strand of Operation Potassium is about a lot more than just providing diversionary activities. 

Regular bespoke sessions with young people aim to get them to address their current behaviour, talk about what they want to achieve in life and how they can make more positive decisions in the future. 

Inspector Mike Ebbins, District Commander of the Broxtowe district, said: "When Operation Potassium commenced it became apparent to us we would not be able to police our way out of the issue and needed to identify an effective diversionary scheme to support us with our campaign.

"I am delighted by the progress Transform Training have made with the young people in Broxtowe."

Teresa Cullen, Chief Executive of Transform Training, said: “A key focus of our work is about providing solutions for young people by developing emotional education. 

“As part of our current work with young people in Beeston, we are trying to get them to isolate the moments when they made bad decisions, discuss how they were feeling when they made those decisions and what triggered them to make those choices, which may have led to them getting into trouble or arrested. 

“By working constructively with young people and addressing the root causes and consequences of their behaviour, we can help them understand how they can do something to break the cycle and look at ‘escape routes’ to steer them away from crime. 

“Our intensive work with the older group of children we are currently engaging with includes looking at who they really are as individuals, as opposed to the ‘mask’ they show to the world. 

“The young people we’re working with in Beeston are definitely making progress and we are now looking to see if we can provide them with access to additional diversionary activities, such as football sessions in the city, to help keep them on the right path.” 

Sergeant Heather Harding, of the Beeston neighbourhood policing team, added: “The success of this initiative so far is testament to our collaborative approach towards preventing and reducing antisocial behaviour, helping young people to understand the root causes and consequences of their actions and how they can make more positive decisions in future. 

“As part of our ongoing Operation Potassium we will continue to have high-visibility patrols in hotspot areas, targeting those causing issues and dealing with them appropriately, as well as providing reassurance to people in affected communities.”

Anyone with concerns about crime in their area can call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency or if an incident is in progress call 999. 

People can also report crimes through Nottinghamshire Police’s Live Chat feature, which is available 7am to 10pm seven days a week, via the force’s website. You will be put directly in touch with a qualified, experienced control room operator who will assist you with your inquiry or report. 

To access Live Chat visit Home | Nottinghamshire Police and click on the blue round button at the bottom right of your screen. You’ll then be connected to a control room operator.