UPDATE: Police say they won't tolerate anti-social behaviour after woman and son scared off Hucknall park

The woman, who asked not be named, says she took her son to the park at Hucknall Lesiure Centre but almost immediately was confronted by the group of children – some as young as primary school age.

She said: "I thought it would be nice for my son to play on the park until they came on to it, swearing, shouting and running around with metal poles, smacking them around, getting closer and closer to myself and my son.

“Wherever we went, they got closer.

"My son is nervous and due to there being around six of them with poles, and one of me with a child, I didn't want to say anything, so we left.

The woman said the incident was symptomatic, in her her eyes, of how Hucknall has become in the last year since the lockdowns began.

She continued: "Hucknall used to be a ,happy safe place but it has turned ihorrible since the first lockdown and I genuinely blame the fact we have all been locked away and kept from what we all know as normality – it's sent people crazy.

"Within one month my car has been vandalised, I'm terrified to take my children out and now the park is a big no go.

"There is so much violence and out of control children and I’m forever on the defensive at the moment.”

A spokesman for Ashfield District Council said: “The council and the police have not received any reports about this incident.

"We would encourage the resident to report this matter to the police so it can be investigated.”

Insp Mark Dickson, district commander for Ashfield, said: “We recognise the impact that anti-social behaviour can have on people’s lives and we take reports like this very seriously indeed.

"We won’t tolerate behaviour that makes others feel uncomfortable or afraid and will use all our powers as police officers to stop it – regardless of whether that behaviour constitutes a criminal offence.

“To this end we have recently launched a series of antisocial behaviour patrols across the district in partnership with Ashfield District Council, where our PCSOs patrol in partnership with community support officers.

“These patrols are going out every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night, engaging with residents and taking action against people whose behaviour negatively impacts others.

“I’d like to say very clearly to all residents that the police service is here to help you.

"We want to hear from you and we want to know what is going on so we can work to find solutions.

"So if you do have concerns about anti-social behaviour or criminality where you live please call us on 101.”