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SOUTHWELL POLICE | |
| Policing | Crime Trends | General Information | CCTV | Crime Prevention Panel | Neighbourhood Watch | Pub Watch | The Future | BEAT MANAGER CONTACTS |
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Southwell Police Station is one of the three Police Stations in what is known as the Sherwood Local Area Command within E Division Nottinghamshire Police. The town of Southwell itself is the operating base for Southwell Section. Southwell is the largest residential area within the Section (population approximately 6,900) being bordered on all sides by thirty smaller villages, including Farnsfield and Bilsthorpe in a mainly rural setting. The whole of the Section therefore consists of a sizeable geographical area of approximately 105 sq. miles stretching to the boundaries of the Retford Area to its most northerly point and Lowdham to the south. It borders with Newark to the east and Edwinstowe/Ollerton to the west. Nottinghamshire's main river, the Trent flows from the village of Hoveringham to the south to Sutton-on-Trent in the north of the Section. The majority of the villages adjacent and throughout this length of the river are policed by Southwell Section. The Section is overseen by Inspector Gilfillan, based at Ollerton. With Southwell Minster, the river in many ways is a good focal point for tourism and leisure activities within this part of Nottinghamshire. POLICING The Section is covered 24 hours a day by essentially two teams of officers led by Sergeant Team Leaders under the overall control of Inspector Gilfillan in nearby Ollerton. Sergeant Richard Checkley and his team of six officers are responsible for policing the northern part, which includes Bilsthorpe (population 3,000 approximately), and Sergeant Jeremy Butler and his team of seven officers looking after Southwell Town and surrounding villages to the south, including Farnsfield (population 2,700 approximately). If required, officers from Ollerton Police Station provide additional support, as do officers from Traffic Departments, Dog Section and CID who are seconded to the area. Three officers at Southwell and Bilsthorpe are allocated to work beats as Community or "Beat Managers". The remainder, whilst affiliated to areas, are Response Drivers. This ensures Policing is always structured to contain the essential elements of preventative, problem solving work and response to emergency calls. The police station at Southwell is open to the public Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm. Two part-time receptionists are employed to deal with enquiries between these times and a Community Volunteer works regular Saturday morning, between 10:00am and 12:20pm to receive the public. Use of a Free-phone outside the station will ensure an officer responds to calls for assistance outside these hours. Volunteer Special Constables are a considerable help to regular officers. Section Officer Sue Powell and her team of four constables lend support throughout the year, chiefly at large public events and parades. CRIME TRENDS The main increase in crime within Southwell Section can be attributed to crimes involving theft of, and from, motor vehicles and offences of burglary, both dwelling and commercial. These I would suggest are in-line with both Force and National figures which also show increases in these areas. The area has several major roads bordering or running through it, one being the main A1 and therefore the entire Section is easily accessible and susceptible to the travelling criminal. As a result the area is often targeted by this type of offender who usually carry-out a number of offences in and around Southwell. Stolen vehicles are often abandoned and local vehicles stolen to replace them. Patterns become recognisable and the best results are mainly achieved by prolonged observation and targeting specific locations. Numerous outstanding offences have in the past been detected following the arrest of these type of visiting offenders who often admit offences committed over a prolonged period, fortunately these types of crime patterns are usually sporadic and clearly visible within the Section. Other crimes within the area involve similar attacks on farm buildings and agricultural plant and attacks on licensed premises. Southwell and Bilsthorpe suffer from a small amount of public order and criminal damage, but this is relatively small scale compared with other police areas in the County. GENERAL INFORMATION CCTV In partnership with Southwell Town Council and local traders, the police have assisted in securing for the town, money from the Government for a CCTV system. This is due to commence in September 2000 and should make a significant impact in reducing crime and identifying offenders. CRIME PREVENTION PANEL There is a Crime Prevention Panel which covers both Newark and Southwell and which meets at approximately three-monthly intervals. NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCHES There are currently 60 active Neighbourhood Watches in existence covering most of the area. PUB WATCHES There are a number of schemes across the area designed to provide support to licensees. THE FUTURE Under the recently enacted Crime & Disorder Act, the police are committed to reducing crime in the area with our partner agencies. The police have always worked with the community and we are reliant on the good-will and support of local people who have the right to live without fear of being victims of crime. We are keen to make ourselves accessible to the public and to this end Beat Managers have begun using a Mobile Contact Point to visit more rural areas. BEAT MANAGER CONTACTS Southwell Town P.C. Richard Wojtylo Farnsfield, Thurgarton, Fiskerton and Kelham (including Kirklington, Edingley, Halam, Bleasby, Hoveringham, Halloughton, Morton, Rolleston, Staythorpe, Upton, Hockerton, Averham, Bathley, North and South Muskham and Little Carlton) P.C. Stephen Cotter Bilsthorpe (including Eakring, Winkburn, Caunton, Maplebeck, Kersall, Norwell, Cromwell, Carlton-on-Trent, Sutton-on-Trent, Grassthorpe, Weston, Egmanton, Laxton, Kneesall, Wellow and Ompton) P.C. 1145 Darren Wells |
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| Jeremy Butler Acting Inspector Sherwood Rural Area Command Ollerton 01909 500999 ext. 7260 |
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