July - September 2025

1. Anti Social Behaviour
As we move into the summer months, there has been indications that the level of anti social behaviour in the borough has increased. Discussions with partners have highlighted the need to have this as a priority to ensure that Police are playing their part in the PCC initiative of keeping our town centres safe.

The NPT will be working hard to identify repeat offenders of ASB and ensuring that they are dealt with robustly, in collaboration with Gedling Borough Council, various housing associations, and, if relevant, social care and the courts.

2. Begging:
This remains a priority to enable to team to continue with the work that they have been doing in the local area, identifying and warning prolific beggars as well as signposting them to support and considering their welfare needs as well as the impact on the community. There is already an operation in place with a clear escalation process in relation to dealing with beggars, but this will expand to consider cross border offending and more information sharing with partners to find a longer term solution to the problem.

3. Shop theft:
There continues to be a high level of shop thefts in the borough. The NPT have been developing plans to tackle this and it remains a priority to enable them to continue with their proactive work.

The NPT teams will be conducting additional patrols, proactive days of action to deter and promote awareness of the problem along with working towards Criminal Behaviour Orders for the most prolific offenders. These orders can include conditions such as banning offenders from carrying bags for life, banning them from certain stores and areas as well as positive conditions such as seeking rehabilitative treatment. Breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order is an arrestable offence and will see the offender put back before the Magistrates Court.

August Update:

1. Anti Social Behaviour:
With the recent summer weather we have seen an expected slight increase in reports of ASB across the Gedling borough. Targeted patrols have been increased and will continue to be used to address the issue. We continue to work with partners and seek opportunities for engagement and diversion such as supporting and referring young people to the community activities taking place throughout the summer.

Acting on feedback from the public and partners we have identified a specific youth related ASB issue on Arnot Hill Park. Enquiries have identified those who are responsible and civil interventions and diversionary referrals have been made. Where necessary enforcement action will follow.

Anti social use of motor vehicles remains a concern for members of the public and our response to this locally is under Operation Triplefin. Through Gedling Borough Council a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) remains in place and we continue to work jointly to identify those breaching the order and take suitable action. To date 16 persons have had enforcement action taken in respect of breaches of the PSPO.

Two days of action have taken place during August to tackle ASB and on both days an authorisation was given under Section 34 of the ASB, Crime and Policing Act to direct anyone committing crime or anti social behaviour to leave the locality. As a result 10 people were issued with dispersal notices having been identified to be causing issues. Any juveniles subject of the direction to leave were returned to the care of their parents with suitable interventions being discussed to prevent a recurrence.

I am pleased to say that despite the anticipated summer spike, ASB remains down by over 14% year on year for the borough.

2. Begging:
Following further analysis it has been identified that the issue of begging is more specific to the Gedling South area rather than across the wider area.

A Problem Management Plan is already in place to address this behaviour with a clear escalation process starting with support to address the root causes of offending. Targeted patrols are being used to identify those involved in begging.

We continue to work with partners to ensure suitable support is in place and thankfully reports of this type of behaviour have reduced.

3. Shop Theft:
A current Problem Management Plan is in place to tackle the issue of shop theft across the borough.

From analysis of data the NPT patrols have been targeted towards the repeat locations in line with the patterns of offending utilising both high visibility and plain clothes patrols. Days of action remain a useful tool in preventing thefts as well as arresting those who habitually offend.

During August a repeat offender was arrested, charged, remanded and sentenced for 7 thefts in quick succession across the Gedling area alone, showing we will take swift and robust action against repeat offenders.

The most prolific offenders have now been identified and applications for Criminal Behaviour Orders are being produced.

Through the work being completed I am pleased to say that shop theft has reduced significantly by 47% in the last month which is 31 less offences. We are determined to maintain this momentum and continue to support local stores in reducing offending.