Four extra police officers will soon be on the beat in Mansfield district – one of which will be paid for by Mansfield District Council. Two of the officers will be dedicated to Mansfield town centre.
Nottinghamshire Police had already planned to provide three new officers for the district in the current financial year. The council has asked for these officers to be patrolling the streets by the end of September.
Mansfield District Council has agreed to pay for a fourth police officer, on the basis that two of the four officers will be dedicated to the town centre. It is expected that this officer will start imminently.
Executive Mayor of Mansfield Andy Abrahams reinforced his request for additional police officers following the tragic incident on Gladstone Street last week, which resulted in an arrest, plus a disturbance in Mansfield Market Place, which led to seven arrests. There have also been numerous reports of antisocial behaviour.
The Mayor said: “I am extremely pleased that Nottinghamshire Police has agreed to provide extra officers for Mansfield. We hope to see an increased visible presence as soon as possible before the end of September.
“I hope this will help to reassure our residents, businesses and visitors of our commitment to keep the town centre and the surrounding district a safe and welcoming place. Mansfield is very much open for both business and leisure activities.”
The news of extra officers was confirmed at a meeting this week between the Mayor; Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police Craig Guildford, and Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping. This followed a constructive meeting with Mansfield Inspector Nick Butler and Chief Inspector for Mansfield and Ashfield Kathryn Craner last week.
The Mayor also confirmed the town centre policing team would have a presence in the newly-refurbished Old Town Hall when it is re-opened, which will contribute towards their physical presence around the town. The council’s Community Safety team is also working with Nottinghamshire Police to look at the officers’ shift patterns to optimise their presence in the town centre.
The council is examining how it can give its Neighbourhood Wardens additional powers and equipment to combat antisocial behaviour and is looking at ways to further improve the way information captured by the council’s high-quality CCTV system is actioned.