Beat bobbies reintroduced

Extra beat officers will patrol the town centre

A Nottinghamshire town is to see more police on the beat after a spate of crimes in the area.

Patrol officers are being moved back to Kirkby-in-Ashfield, which recently had 20 burglaries in one weekend.

Many officers were moved to the neighbouring town of Sutton-in-Ashfield as part of a reorganisation of Nottinghamshire Police.

A police station is to also reopen 24 hours a day in Arnold to try to address an increase in crime there.

Burglary victim

Residents say the town has become an easy target for criminals.

The decision to get police back on the beat in Kirkby has been taken by Inspector Barry Harper, the local area commander for Ashfield North.

"I'm hoping for two things, one is a reduction of crime and already in the four or five week period we have noticed a reduction in crime.

"But also I'd like to try and reduce people's fear of crime.

"I want people who live in Kirkby to feel safe and know they have high profile beat officers around the town.

The move is welcomed by George Slack, chairman of the local tenants and residents association, who has also had his home burgled.

"This is where the burglaries have been happening.

"They know there is no policing here, so, bring them back as quick as you can," Mr Slack said.

There are also plans to create an additional police base on the Coxmoor estate in the town.