People involved in anti-social behaviour in Mansfield Market Place now have no hiding place, after Mansfield District Council got to the root of a security problem.
Two trees on the northern side of Mansfield Market Place, which were partially obscuring the view of the area for CCTV operators, have now been removed.
Every year, the council says, thousands of pounds of damage is caused to market stalls by vandals.
Thugs had apparently got wise to the CCTV ‘blindspot’ and recently there have been reports of increased anti-social behaviour in the Market Place, including drug dealing, arson and assault.
Council workmen moved in this week to take out the trees. The trees would ultimately have been removed anyway as part of the multi-million pound redevelopment of the Market Place. New trees will be planted in suitable areas of the Market Place as part of the redevelopment work.
What they say
Coun Andre Camilleri, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection at Mansfield District Council said: "The trees had been a feature of the market place for around 15 years and it is a shame that they have had to be removed, but public safety has got to be our number one priority. When the redevelopment work is complete we will have a Market Place to be proud of. We want people using it and enjoying it to feel safe and happy to do so."
