Together to tackle crime

Action including extra police patrols to tackle anti-social behaviour form part of a Newark town-centre initiative next week.

The week of action in Castle ward is being organised by Newark and Sherwood and Bassetlaw Community Safety Partnership.

Agencies, such as trading standards, are involved and the aim is to cut crime and make the ward, which covers much of the town centre, a better place in which to live and work.

The week ends with a football match at the Mount School at 11.30am a week tomorrow between youngsters and partnership members, who include Newark police officers.

Police will spend the week raising public awareness of town-centre shop thefts, commercial burglaries and drink-fuelled anti-social behaviour.

There will be extra patrols and operations to curb violence, particularly on the Friday and Saturday nights.

Police crime reduction manager Mr Trevor Timson will provide information and advice on home, business and vehicle security.

Nottinghamshire County Council’s mobile rural contact point will be in Newark Market Place on Wednesday and Friday, offering help and advice on council services, including benefits, education, adult and child care, highways and consumer advice.

The council’s trading standards team will be represented at the contact point to give advice on consumer rights and how to avoid doorstep crime, and to promote their good trader scheme.

Food premises will be inspected during the week.

There will also be advice on livestock welfare.

The East Midlands Public Protection Project Team will give advice and support to victims of loan sharks. The team can also refer people to debt advice agencies and to credit unions.

The county council’s youth service will hold sessions, including sports and alcohol awareness, in its youth project vehicle.

Activities such as a mobile climbing wall will be available.

The county’s highways department will carry out road maintenance work.

Newark and Sherwood District Council will target litter and its graffiti removal squad will be on hand to clean up public areas.

The partnership’s mobile CCTV van will patrol the area, and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue will offer fire prevention advice and home safety checks.

Newark and Sherwood Homes will check its tenancies are being adhered to.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency will be on the lookout for untaxed vehicles and will check vehicles are roadworthy.

HM Revenue and Customs will check vehicles for the illegal use of red diesel.