Criminal Behaviour Order for persistent anti-social behaviour

Stephen Ravenscroft, an Ollerton resident, was made subject to the order after several reports of his anti-social behaviour were made to the Nottinghamshire Police and Newark and Sherwood District Council. This led the District Council and its partners at the Police to submit the application for a CBO.

The nature of the allegations included use of drugs, begging, urinating in public, swearing and shouting, and leaving belongings strewn across public accesses.

Mr Ravenscroft accepted an offer of temporary accommodation in May of this year however, despite intensive support, he continued to beg and cause nuisance in the Ollerton area. In order to protect the public from incidents of anti-social behaviour, it was deemed necessary to take the matter to court alongside the Police and an order was granted.

PC Robert Nelson, of Nottinghamshire Police, who applied for the order alongside the District Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Officer, said: “We have worked closely with police colleagues in Ollerton and partners to offer this individual many opportunities to change his lifestyle.

“He has instead chosen to ignore these and behave in a manner that has caused nuisance and annoyance to members of the public and misery to the victims of his criminal activities. The terms secured in this Order will hopefully provide much needed respite for the communities that have suffered from his behaviour”.

The terms of the order state that Ravenscroft is prohibited from:

1. Entering ASDA, Newark, to include the specified car park area, at any time.
2. Begging or placing himself in a position to beg in any specified public places in Newark. 
3. Sitting or perching or crouching on the floor/pavement/doorway of any specified commercial premises in Newark.
4. Begging or placing himself in a position to beg in any specified place in Ollerton.
5. Sitting on any bench situated on Forest Road, Ollerton, between the junction of Rufford Avenue and Sherwood Drive, Ollerton, at any time.
6. Entering Tesco Store or land, Ollerton, at any time. To define Tesco store this includes the car park from Eddison Rise (including the petrol station) across to the border with Rufford Avenue.

Councillor Roger Jackson, Portfolio Holder for Cleaner, Safer, Greener said: “The Council has worked hard to engage with Mr Ravenscroft in setting out the options that are available to him, when he arrived in Newark in 2020, that would avoid him having to sleep rough, exploring long-term housing options with him and assisting him to access services.

“Unfortunately, we were not able to make any progress with his situation as Mr Ravenscroft failed to fully engage. However, we will continue to offer the necessary assistance he needs to help him sustain a life away from the streets”.

Sergeant Robert Harrison, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This individual has been given considerable support by the police, the council, homeless support organisation Framework, and the Probation Service, but has previously chosen not to accept it — it is only in the past few months that he has accepted any help that has been offered. However, even after accepting help, he has continued with his behaviour in the Ollerton area”

“We have a wider responsibility to protect our communities from anti-social behaviour, while at the same time trying to help individuals to bring about improvements in their own behaviour.”

“Newark and Ollerton Police Neighbourhoods teams have work in close partnership with Newark & Sherwood District Council to make sure our towns are safe place for our residents”.

For more information about anti-social behaviour visit: https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/asb/