POLL: Do you think anti-social behaviour is a problem in Newark at night?

Policing of Newark at night will be reviewed to see if the granting of a flurry of pub late licences increases crime and disorder.

If there is a rise, the town’s police chief says they will respond accordingly and extra officers will be provided to help keep people safe.

Later licences have recently been approved for the White Hind on Cartergate — now able to serve until 3.30am despite concerns — and The Duck on Castlegate, adding to those already serving after 11pm.

Inspector Matt Ward, police divisional commander for Newark and Sherwood, said if a shift in tactics was required, there would be no hesitation.

“We’ll need to see how these late licences impact us. We want people to feel safe at night-time in Newark and protecting them is what we’re here for,” he said.

“The night-time policing will be reviewed by me to see what problems we are getting.

“If the problems increase, then we’ll have more officers out. Numbers will always be proportionate to the size of the problem.

“Licensing will feed back any problems that come. If a particular place began to cause intolerable problems then we wouldn’t hesitate to take action against them and, if necessary, just as we did with Madison’s, shut them down.

“There’s a drive to improve the town’s night-time offering. We want Newark to be a vibrant and lively place to be in the evening, but also a safe one.”

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