Update on policing in Ashfield from Chief Inspector Chris Sutcliffe - March 2026

Hello and welcome to the latest update from your neighbourhood policing team.

We meet with key local partners to discuss policing in the district and identify any issues of concern.

My name is Chief Inspector Chirstopher Sutcliffe, and what follows is a brief summary of what we’re doing, why we’re doing it, and the impact we are having across our communities.

Current priorities in your area

Our local policing priorities are set in consultation with the wider community and have remained unchanged for the last six months. They are:

• Retail crime

• Antisocial behaviour

• Drug and weapon offending

Actions on our priorities

Drug and weapon offending:

Drug-related crime is a blight on our community – bringing with it all manner of additional criminality.

From weapons offences and burglaries to serious assaults and robberies, many of the offences we deal with can be traced back to the illegal drugs market.

This is why we invest so much effort into disrupting the activity of local drug dealers and supporting the many victims of their illicit trade.

To this end, we have taken robust action on Hucknall’s Chatsworth estate to address the problem of cuckooing – where the homes of vulnerable people are effectively taken over and exploited by drug dealers.

We’ve also carried out several intelligence-led warrants, including at two cannabis factories.

These setups are often located in terraced houses and pose an extreme fire risk to neighbouring properties. If you suspect you’re living next to one, please tell us in confidence.

Common signs include strong smells, unusual comings and goings, curtains that are always drawn, high levels of condensation, and noticeable heat radiating through adjoining walls.

As we’ve said before, these grows are very often linked to organised crime groups operating locally and overseas, exploiting our communities and occupying valuable housing.

Retail crime:

We know these offences are a significant concern for local retailers, shop staff and shoppers.

That’s why we continue to prioritise this issue by working closely with retailers while also targeting a relatively small number of prolific local offenders.

Shop theft in the district is currently down by more than 20 per cent year-on-year, while our positive outcome rate has climbed to almost 39 per cent.

While these are very encouraging figures, we know we need to do more and keep the pressure on offenders.

To achieve this, we are continuing our work with local retailers to streamline reporting and evidence-gathering processes and improve the speed and quality of information we receive.

Antisocial behaviour:

Antisocial behaviour continues to blight the lives of too many local residents. The types of incidents we are referring to – disorderly conduct and threatening behaviour – may not always constitute criminal offences, but they absolutely cause people distress.

That’s why this issue remains a priority. Since my last update, we have:

• Increased patrols following a spate of incidents near McDonald’s in Hucknall

• Continued disruption activity in Sutton and Kirkby town centres

• Secured a closure order for a problem address in Mosley Street, Hucknall

• Secured a further closure order in Beechwood Close, Sutton, along with two others elsewhere in the district

These orders allow the local authority to take back possession of the properties and re-let them to more considerate tenants.

We have also continued our efforts to clamp down on antisocial vehicle use — whether by traditional boy racers in powerful, modified cars or by people riding electric motorcycles and scooters.

Did you hear about this?

A couple of positive updates, starting with the Leamington Partnership Hub in Jephson Road, Sutton.

With support from the district council, we’ve taken joint possession of an empty flat and turned it into a community base for our officers and local partners.

The flat, which was recently subject to a closure order, now contains two offices and will be available for the next 18 months. This will allow officers to spend more time patrolling the local area and reduce the need to travel back to the station in Kirkby.

I know how much of a problem this address has been for local residents, so I’m delighted to see such a positive outcome.

A shout-out also to Sergeant Sandeep Mann, who worked with a Framework support worker to source a new bike for a local man trying to turn his back on offending. The bike will help him attend probation appointments, training courses and job interviews — an important step on his journey toward a more positive future.

Keeping you informed

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How to contact us

Looking for help or information? Want to tell us something or report an incident? Use our simple online tool to find the best way to get in contact.

Call 101 for non-emergency enquiries. Alternatively, our Live Chat service is available from 7am to 10pm, seven days a week. Navigate back to the home page of our website and look for the blue icon in the corner.

Call 999 if:

• a serious offence is in progress or has just been committed

• someone is in immediate danger or harm

• property is in danger of being damaged

• a serious disruption to the public is likely

If you wish to anonymously report crime or suspicious behaviour, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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