Safer Streets for Kirkby after positive action taken by Council and Police

Residents are feeling safer on the ‘Coxmoor estate’ in Kirkby after a property on Welbeck Street, has been closed for 3 months by Ashfield District Council and Nottinghamshire Police.

A Closure Order granted on 9 January 2024 at Nottingham Magistrates Court has been put in place to prevent anti-social behaviour and drug activity linked to an address on the ‘Coxmoor estate’ of Kirkby in Ashfield.

Following the incidents, the Council’s Community Safety Team worked in partnership with Nottinghamshire Police and took swift action to reassure the local community and close the property. The order granted under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 will remain in force until midnight on 8 April 2024 and is to prevent access everyone except for:

1. Operatives and agents of the utilities, postal services and emergency services
2. Any representatives as authorised by Ashfield District Council
3. Any Future Tenants or Tenants housed by Ashfield District Council

Any breaches of the order such as unauthorised access may result in prosecution proceedings, a fine or imprisonment. If anyone is witnessed breaching the order, you can be reported to 999 so that appropriate action can be taken.

This is one of a number of successful actions that is being delivered by the Council and Police, who are working with local residents, businesses and other local providers to further improve the safety of Ashfield residents, with a significant 35% reduction in anti-social behaviour being reported to the Police over the past 2 years.

Ward Cllr for Abbey Hill and Coxmoor, Cllr Andy Meakin said:

“This property caused problems for the local community due to incidents connected with the address and as a result we took swift action to resolve the issues and deal with the offenders. We have invested significantly into the Coxmoor Estate and wider District area through external funding to make our streets safer. This includes new and improved CCTV, additional street lighting, environmental improvements, education programmes, and diversionary activities to address anti-social behaviour and improve feelings of safety’’

Cllr John Willmott, Executive Lead for Community Safety & Crime Reduction added:

“This is another fantastic outcome for the residents of Ashfield who are seeing real benefits of the work that the Council have put in place enhance community safety. The Council are working closely with the Police and other partners to deliver positive outcomes which has resulted in receiving positive feedback from residents over recent months, that areas across the District are seeing a sustained improvement of safety which continues to make Ashfield a more attractive and safer place to live, work and visit’’