Chief aims for improved links

A school liaison officer could be based at Dukeries College, Ollerton, to strengthen links with the police.

Nottinghamshire’s Chief Constable, Julia Hodson, visited the college on Wednesday.

She said it was important to strengthen the bond between police and public and would be in negotiations with the division to employ a school liaison officer at Dukeries College.

The principal, Mr Danny Smith, is willing to allocate a room for an officer.

After a tour of the school, the chief constable met ten members of the school council, who highlighted concerns about the area.

Robert Baguley (15) said he often felt intimidated by gangs of youths who congregated outside shops in Bilsthorpe.

He said: “You don’t know how to react, and I think it does affect a lot of people in the community.”

The students raised the issue of selling alcohol to those underage, saying the problem was rife on Friday nights in Ollerton.

The town’s beat manager, Pc Colin Oakley, said: “Two weeks ago we confiscated 80 containers of alcohol. That either means we are doing a good job at stopping youngsters from drinking or we have got a problem.”

Julia Hodson thanked the children for their comments and asked Pc Oakley to look into the issues.

She said: “You don’t often get a chance to hear young people’s opinions and I appreciate you raising the concerns you have.”

She also highlighted to the children the importance of contacting the police should they ever witness a serious incident.

Mr Smith said he was delighted that the chief constable had visited the school and she seemed very approachable.

He said he was pleased with the idea of a school liaison officer.