Neighbourhood officers in Sutton-in-Ashfield are leading a multi-agency initiative aimed at reducing crime and safeguarding vulnerable residents on the Leamington Estate.
The local neighbourhood policing team has spent the past year developing and delivering a coordinated problem-solving plan in response to community concerns about drug-related activity, including dealing and so-called “cuckooing”, where offenders take over the homes of vulnerable people to facilitate criminal activity.
Since the initiative began, a range of enforcement and safeguarding measures have been carried out in partnership with Ashfield District Council and housing providers.
Police have executed 16 warrants linked to drug supply investigations, resulting in seven closure orders at affected addresses. Around 30 arrests have been made in connection with the operation.
Officers have also seized significant quantities of drugs and weapons. In one warrant, approximately 500g of cocaine and 500g of cannabis were recovered, with estimated street values of £50,000 and £7,000 respectively.
Other seizures have included ecstasy tablets and amphetamine, as well as weapons such as knuckle dusters, swords, imitation firearms and improvised items.
Further enforcement measures have included nine community protection warnings, two civil injunctions and one criminal behaviour order issued against individuals identified as posing a high risk.
As part of the wider response, partners have established a dedicated multi-agency base within a flat in Jephson Building on Jephson Road. The property had previously been subject to a closure order and has now been repurposed as a joint policing and community safety hub.
The facility is intended to provide a visible presence in the area, enabling police, housing officers and community protection teams to work more closely together, respond more quickly to incidents and engage more regularly with residents. It is also expected to act as a deterrent to crime and antisocial behaviour.
Alongside this, a scheme known as “Vulnerable Adults in Lemo” (VAL) has been introduced. The initiative focuses on identifying at-risk residents in and around the building, carrying out regular welfare checks and enabling earlier intervention through coordinated support from partner agencies.
Police said the combined approach is designed to address both enforcement and safeguarding, with ongoing work planned to build on the progress made so far.
