Sergeant Rob Harrison demonstrates the lock to Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry
Antisocial behaviour at Newark’s St Marks Place continues to be stopped in its tracks as part of the Safer Streets project.
Pedestrian gating has been installed as the final security measure to combat crime and antisocial behaviour in the area.
Over £1 million has been invested towards a safer Newark and Sherwood from the scheme to date after the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner secured £3 million of funding for projects across the county which tackle neighbourhood crime, antisocial behaviour and prevent violence against women and girls.
Vehicle access gating was also installed in January 2023 to prevent public access to the site which had previously been subject to drug use, urinating, and graffiti, leaving residents and workers in the area feeling unsafe.
Within weeks, the gating had already proved to be a successful investment as Police were able to apprehend an offender who tried to use the site as a shortcut when running from officers.
Businesses in the surrounding area commented that antisocial behaviour around the site has decreased and they have found the gating to be “an improvement” with “less kids hanging around, less mess and we feel safer using the area”.
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry said: “Well over £1 million has been invested into the Newark area over the past 12 months on projects that make a difference to people’s lives.
“The impact of antisocial behaviour can be incredibly damaging to residents and workers in any area, and St Marks Place was somewhere identified as a place which needed significant attention.
“The Safer Streets funding is there to make people safer and importantly to feel safer, so it is great to see the new gating having the desired effect.”
The St Marks Place gating is one of a number of projects to have been introduced in Newark. Other plans have already been put in place including new door entry systems at Tithe Barn and Queen’s Court, improved street lighting, and investments in raising awareness and educating residents and local businesses.
Councillor Paul Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Cleaner, Safer, Greener at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “The Safer Streets project is a great example of the good initiatives we can deliver for our residents when we work with our partners in the district.
“Our focus throughout the Safer Streets project is to increase our residents’ feeling of safety when out in the community, and measures such as the new security gates are installed to stop those who would threaten that in their tracks.”
Inspector Charlotte Ellam, District Commander for Newark and Sherwood said: “Tackling antisocial behaviour remains one of our top priorities, and projects like Safer Streets are helping put initiatives in place to stop those people blighting our communities.
“We are listening to the people of our communities and the concerns they have and by working with our partners to install measures like these security gates we are joining forces to make sure our residents feel listened to and safer.”
A spokesperson for Berkley Estates Limited said: “It is great to see the gating installed, and we are pleased to be able to work with Newark and Sherwood District Council and its Safer Street partners to enhance the security and safety of the community in the area.”
For more information about the Safer Streets fund, visit Safer Streets (pcc.police.uk).
Posted on Monday 10th July 2023