Dedicated ASB car rolled out in Newark and Sherwood

A new rapid response vehicle has been rolled out by police to drive down rates of antisocial behaviour in Newark and Sherwood.

The double-crewed police car will allow officers to respond to more calls about antisocial behaviour (ASB) as they happen and get there quicker than before.

Dedicated officers tasked solely with tackling ASB will be behind the wheel of the new Operation Renegade vehicle, which will soon become a regular sight on the streets for local residents.

As well as allowing the Newark and Sherwood neighbourhood policing team to respond to ASB reports quicker, having the car will allow officers to carry out more visible patrols to deter nuisance behaviour, while also visiting more victims.

The new car will be out and about every day throughout the school summer holidays in a bid to put a stop to things like vandalism, off-road biking, and other general unpleasant behaviour in the community.

Sergeant Rob Harrison, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We’re not going to be able to get to every single call of ASB as it happens, we know that, but this should certainly help us make some headway into dealing with the ringleaders and support victims.

“If there is a breaking report of ASB, we will be able to get there quickly under blue lights, and there will be at least one police constable on board with the powers needed to take action, where necessary.

“Having the car available will allow us to respond to these reports of nuisance behaviour and get there in time to actually do something about it.

“Rather than looking at other demand, these dedicated officers’ sole job will be the Op Renegade car – they won’t be tasked with anything else during that time – so they’ll be able to be out there, visible, and tackling ASB.

“Obviously, there will be times when we won’t be able to bring the car out due to operational demands, but over the summer holidays, it should be out all day, every day, and it’ll be out at the weekend and during peak times too.”

The new squad car is only part of the extra provisions introduced by the neighbourhood policing team as part of Op Renegade, which was launched on Monday (3 July) at the start of national ASB Awareness Week.

In addition to visible patrols being stepped up, more plain-clothes police operations will be carried out in Newark town centre to catch people in the act of committing ASB, while a new pathway has been created with Newark and Sherwood District Council to stop reoffenders.

There has been a small reduction in reports of ASB in Newark and Sherwood over the last 12 months, with Sgt Harrison pleading with the public to contact the police with any concerns, so that they can act.

He added: “I am under absolutely no illusions about the impact ASB can have on communities and how important it is to people that we continue to focus on this.

“Doing things like abusing people in the street, throwing stones and vandalising property can ruin people’s lives, but in some cases I genuinely don’t think a lot of kids realise the suffering and harm this can cause.

“That’s why we carry out so much early intervention work through school visits and other engagement work to try and nip this behaviour in the bud and is precisely the reason why tackling ASB remains one of our policing priorities in Newark and Sherwood.

“We take all reports of ASB very seriously but are reliant on people reporting these offences to us, so please get in touch with us, so that we can act.”

Anyone with concerns about crime in their area, including ASB, should 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.

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.