A woman who has plagued Newark with her bad behaviour has been banned from the town.
Naomi Pugh’s persistent antisocial behaviour (ASB) has caused distress to fellow residents for some time, say police.
Reports of repeated nuisance behaviour, drug use and exploitation of the vulnerable have all been made against Pugh.
Her actions are believed to have contributed to the “cuckooing” of several properties across Newark over the last 18 months.
Cuckooing is a practice whereby criminals manipulate vulnerable people, take over their homes and then use them for illegal activities.
Newark and Sherwood District Council has previously worked with Nottinghamshire Police to secure closure orders on properties associated with Pugh.
Having seen her bad behaviour carry on regardless, further action has now been taken against the 41-year-old in the form of a two-year injunction order.
The order bans Pugh from entering Newark for the next two years and was secured by the council in collaboration with the Newark Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Under the order, she is also prohibited from engaging in any behaviour that causes, or is likely to cause, nuisance, alarm or distress to others.
Should Pugh, of no fixed address, breach this order, the police would have the authority to arrest her on the spot.
Inspector Charlotte Ellam, District Commander for Newark and Sherwood, said:
“Tackling antisocial behaviour has long been one of our primary focuses as a neighbourhood policing team because of the distress we know this can cause to residents.
“This individual was responsible for subjecting the local community to these ASB issues for a considerable amount of time, so it’s only right that action has now been taken.
“We’re therefore really pleased to have been able to work with our partners at the council to secure this injunction, banning her from the Newark area.”
Councillor Paul Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Community Relations at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said:
“Residents across Newark deserve to feel safe in their homes and communities. The behaviour linked to this individual has caused long-term anxiety, disruption and intimidation.
“Securing this injunction, along with the exclusion from Newark, is an important step in preventing further harm and ensuring our communities are protected.
“We remain committed to working closely with Nottinghamshire Police and other partners to take decisive and proportionate action against those whose behaviour threatens the safety or wellbeing of others. This injunction demonstrates that persistent antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated in our district.”
