Police cover criticised

Tradesmen who have been victims of a crime spree in Bingham claim there are only three police officers covering the area.

The police say seven incidents of tool thefts in Bingham have been reported to them over four weeks.

A landscape gardener, Mr Dave Buckberry (43) of Musters Road, Bingham, had more than £1,700 of equipment stolen after thieves broke into his van.

He woke up to find the window of his van had been smashed, his waterproof clothing strewn across his garden, and drills, saws, angle grinders and a lawn mower were missing.

Mr Buckberry disturbed another attempt around two weeks later when he chased off intruders trying to enter his garden at 4am.

He claims he was told by a policeman who visited him that evening there were not enough staff to investigate the incident properly.

Mr Buckberry said: “He actually said they have three police officers on patrol in the area who have to cover 150 square miles.

“We all work long hard hours and when you are self- employed, if you lose your tools then that means your livelihood is gone.”

Mr Buckberry said he has had to take time off work to get his windows repaired and although some of his tools were insured, others were not.

A bricklayer, Mr Jim Gilfillan (48) of Gillots Close, Bingham, has been targeted twice.

Thieves broke into his van, parked on his drive, and stole an angle grinder and power drill, each worth £300 and a mechanical saw costing £470.

Mr Gilfillan said he had only just replaced the saw after it was stolen from his van in November.

He said a neighbour had been targeted about two weeks before him and tools from their garage were taken.

“It’s happened to at least seven or eight people I know. They seem to be targeting traders,” he said.

“The police didn’t even come out. I had to take my van to be finger printed but they didn’t find anything. It was a waste of time. I’ve got no chance.”

Angle grinders, hand mixers, drills and saws were among items stolen from vans, sheds and garages on Wychwood Road, Western Avenue, Musters Road, Nottingham Road, Porchester Road, Rockingham Road and Gillots Close.

Superintendent Mike Manley said: “We do not discuss specific staffing levels at any point in time for operational reasons.

“However, I am happy that the appropriate policing resources currently available on the division are being allocated to the right places at the right times, dependent on demand.

“I’d like to reassure the public that should an incident have occurred in Rushcliffe that evening there certainly would have been far more than the number of officers suggested available to respond.

“It should be noted that policing resources does not just refer to response officers and there are other resources available.

“We understand the incident of Musters Road was witnessed at 4am but the police were not notified until just before 8am. Officers were asked to visit the victim later that day, which they did.

“I would urge anyone who sees a crime in progress to report it at time. There are police resources in place to deal with demand at particular times and it increases our chance of catching the offender.”