New scheme to help and support armed forces veterans in Hucknall

The Hucknall Veterans’ Hub has been established by the Ashfield neighbourhood policing team to have more regular contact with former military personnel.

The drive to improve police links with veterans, including those who may need additional support, is part of the wider Hidden Communities outreach initiative which aims to increase proactive police contact with groups of people who may find it difficult to engage with the force.

The Hub, which is already working with around 20 local members, consists of a network of five locations in the Hucknall area, bars, shops and other high footfall locations.

Once people are introduced to the scheme ongoing contact is made either in person, over the phone or via social media. Organisers hope in future to be able to hold larger group meetings in person.

PCSO Steve Timperley, who served in the British Army for 22 years, is leading the initiative on behalf of Nottinghamshire Police.

He said: “This is a cause really close to my heart as I know hard it can be for people to adjust to life in the civilian word once they leave the armed forces.

“In my experience when things go badly for people and they begin to struggle they become far more likely to come into contact with the police, either as victims or perpetrators of crime.

“Although the police and armed forced share many things in common, pride in a uniform and service to the public chief among them, relations between the two can sometimes be difficult, either as a result of recent experiences or things that happened before people joined up.

Mark Francis-Parry, landlord of the Beer Shack micro pub in Derbyshire Lane, Hucknall, is helping to spread the word about the initiative and has offered to host future meetings.

He said: “As a former soldier myself I think it’s a great idea so when Steve approached me about it I was keen to get involved in any way that I could.

“I think this is a great way to reinforce the importance of community and it’s a nice feeling to be a part of it.”

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