Aug 14, 2020 05:29 PM
(This post was last modified: Aug 14, 2020 07:19 PM by C C.)
https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nott...ty-4425392
EXCERPTS: Residents have described how drug addicts have swarmed a quiet Nottingham village with up to five heroin needles now being found per day at a local beauty spot. Residents have described how drug deals have taken place outside their homes and behind trees, with groups of homeless people moving from The Meadows to Wilford Village to "shoot up".
Community Protection Officers were out in force on Friday, August 15, and visited known spots such as Iremongers Pond and the archways under the tram stop. Needles and human excrement have been found, with one CPO officer from Nottingham City Council telling Nottinghamshire Live they are finding "four or five fresh ones [needles] daily."
He also believes that drug addicts are visiting The Meadows to "score drugs" and then going to Wilford, which is a short tram journey away, to "shoot up." Councillors said residents who visit the beauty spot are being confronted with drug addicts injecting themselves with heroin in plain site. There are also concerns that drug deals are taking place around St Wilfrid's Church.
[...] Councillor Rule said since lockdown was lifted it has become more of an issue. He has found up to 20 needles over the last few weeks. He said residents had even reported groups of up to 15 to 20 descending on the reserve. He told Nottinghamshire Live: "The drug users are coming down here because they are expecting privacy and when they are verbally challenged they disperse. We need to see active enforcement. They have stepped up over the last few weeks but we would ideally like a plain clothes operation by the police. I want it sorting out because it does not project a positive image of the pond - that's unfair on the volunteers that show up and spend so much time maintaining it and make it a beautiful area and a hidden gem in Wilford."
Councillor Steel added: "It is a worrying trend and we aim to nip it in the bud. It is a wonderful area with lots of the local community using it. We are working closely with the local police."
Officers are aware of drug problems in Wilford Village and have asked for residents to keep calling the police with any intelligence so they can act on it. Chief Inspector Al Pearson from Nottinghamshire Police said: "The local policing team are very keen to hear from the local community about drug issues in the village. We have received a number of calls from the area regarding drug offences and we have upped patrol throughout Wilford in accordance with those reports. We'd urge for the local community to work closely with the police and the local authority to ensure we have a record of these incidents and we can gather as much intelligence to tackle the issue. We hope the community are behind us and you will begin to see a difference in the area. If you witness any incidents or have any information please call 101." (MORE - details)
Barney Fife: "Nip it in the bud."
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/0mj6B4DtNyM
EXCERPTS: Residents have described how drug addicts have swarmed a quiet Nottingham village with up to five heroin needles now being found per day at a local beauty spot. Residents have described how drug deals have taken place outside their homes and behind trees, with groups of homeless people moving from The Meadows to Wilford Village to "shoot up".
Community Protection Officers were out in force on Friday, August 15, and visited known spots such as Iremongers Pond and the archways under the tram stop. Needles and human excrement have been found, with one CPO officer from Nottingham City Council telling Nottinghamshire Live they are finding "four or five fresh ones [needles] daily."
He also believes that drug addicts are visiting The Meadows to "score drugs" and then going to Wilford, which is a short tram journey away, to "shoot up." Councillors said residents who visit the beauty spot are being confronted with drug addicts injecting themselves with heroin in plain site. There are also concerns that drug deals are taking place around St Wilfrid's Church.
[...] Councillor Rule said since lockdown was lifted it has become more of an issue. He has found up to 20 needles over the last few weeks. He said residents had even reported groups of up to 15 to 20 descending on the reserve. He told Nottinghamshire Live: "The drug users are coming down here because they are expecting privacy and when they are verbally challenged they disperse. We need to see active enforcement. They have stepped up over the last few weeks but we would ideally like a plain clothes operation by the police. I want it sorting out because it does not project a positive image of the pond - that's unfair on the volunteers that show up and spend so much time maintaining it and make it a beautiful area and a hidden gem in Wilford."
Councillor Steel added: "It is a worrying trend and we aim to nip it in the bud. It is a wonderful area with lots of the local community using it. We are working closely with the local police."
Officers are aware of drug problems in Wilford Village and have asked for residents to keep calling the police with any intelligence so they can act on it. Chief Inspector Al Pearson from Nottinghamshire Police said: "The local policing team are very keen to hear from the local community about drug issues in the village. We have received a number of calls from the area regarding drug offences and we have upped patrol throughout Wilford in accordance with those reports. We'd urge for the local community to work closely with the police and the local authority to ensure we have a record of these incidents and we can gather as much intelligence to tackle the issue. We hope the community are behind us and you will begin to see a difference in the area. If you witness any incidents or have any information please call 101." (MORE - details)
Barney Fife: "Nip it in the bud."
