Residents tired of yobs’ bad behaviour

Promises have been made that ongoing anti-social behaviour in Balderton will be dealt with.

Residents of the Pinfold Lane area told a Safer Neighbourhood meeting on Monday their lives were blighted by the behaviour of yobs, some of whom had urinated on their properties.

The residents were told that the police, Newark and Sherwood District Council and the county’s children’s service would work together to tackle the problems.

One resident told how a window had been smashed. Others saw the youths meet to take drugs and drink alcohol. They then left empty cans and bottles.

All the residents asked not to be named for fear of repercussions.

The beat manager for Balderton, Pc Martin Stannard, said: “We do have a small number of people who are having a disproportionate affect on the community. This is going to require a lot of work from us.”

A Pinfold Lane resident said: “It may be a disproportionate few but it’s causing a disproportionate effect on residents in the area.

“The police do have powers to move groups away from areas. They can use them when they choose to.”

Another resident said a temporary security camera was installed and proved successful but it was removed about three months ago.

He said: “I think bringing that back would help.”

A resident of Church Lane raised concerns about local alleyways.

“The footpaths are a magnet to the yobs of society. I have asked for years for one particular footpath to be closed. There’s glass all over the place. Our fences are continually broken,” he said.

The district council’s community safety co-ordinator, Lisa Lancaster, said they could look into providing additional lighting at the footpaths to deter youths.

Lisa Lancaster said because of highways legislation temporary attachments to lamp posts, such as security cameras, had to be removed after three months, but she would investigate the possibility of having the camera back.

Residents were urged to report incidents and could use Nottinghamshire Police’s non-emergency phone line, which is 0300 300 9999.

“We want to address these problems and we are doing,” Pc Stannard said.

Nottinghamshire County Council’s community safety consultant for its children’s service, Anne Trout, said her team had been working with young people in Balderton.

The various agencies agreed to look into the issues and report back at the next Safer Neighbourhood meeting, on January 11 in the village centre at 6.30pm.

l It was announced that police community support officer Will Robson is expected to return to Newark’s Bridge Ward in the coming weeks. He has been working in Balderton on a temporary basis until Kirsty Crook returns in June.

It means Balderton will be left with just one support officer but Pc Stannard assured residents they should be able to use officers from other areas when extra cover was needed.