Hucknall: Ashfield police inspector making fighting drugs, bad driving and anti-social behaviour his main priorities

Insp Jon Hewitt said he was basing his focus on data from the Nottinghamshire Police Crime and Commissioner’s survey, which from 565 respondents, revealed dangerous driving (43 per cent) and drug dealing (38 per cent) remain the main identified concerns.

Insp Hewitt said they will remain two of the priorities, along with car crime (24.5 per cent) and ASB (24.3 per cent).

He said: "Locally, we have had an increase in theft from motor vehicles, particularly at Hucknall, earlier in the year.

"But after the apprehension of the believed main offender we have seen the number of reported offences drop off by over a third and stabilise month to month.

"Conversely, we are starting to see an uptick in ASB reports which is many ways can invoke increased intimidation as we get into darker nights.

"Taking these factors in to account the third priority will remain ASB.

“I am hopeful that, in addition to increasing referrals, we will also be able to have some literature to give to children who may be deemed to be acting in an anti-social manner and show them what is available to keep them engaged in a more meaningful way.

“In relation to drug dealing and drug use, I am in the midst formulating our drug strategy for Ashfield and am keen that my teams pursue dealers, and we prosecute wherever possible.

"I am keen for premises to be closed to prevent addresses becoming blights on our communities.

"We are now some time on since the closure order was issued for a property on St Mary’s Way in Hucknall due to concerns of drug dealing.

“These orders can be extended by the courts up to a period of six months, so if there are any further community concerns regarding the property or activity still ongoing, I would very much appreciate this being reported.

“This would allow us to approach the courts to prevent old issues re surfacing.

"The Government's latest 10-year strategy seeks to address the harm that recreational drug use causes in that all drug purchases drive organised crime, targeting of vulnerable persons both in the UK and abroad.

"I would like our divisions to take this in to account and help support our partners in drug rehabilitation with increased referrals to remove the target market for drug dealers in Ashfield."

Insp Hewitt also addressed ongoing concerns around anti-social driving around the junction 27 area of the M1 – the junction for Hucknall.

He continued: “We now have a tasking in place for patrols of the area and have a number of specific operations planned.

“There is a public spaces protection order in place in the area which allows the dispersal of those cruising in the area so education of those meeting in the area will now sadly move to enforcement as the behaviour of a few is having a serious detrimental effect on both local residents and others passing through the area.”