Police pelted with bottles and dumbells in 'shocking' Bedworth disorder

Three people were arrested

Cops arrested three Nuneaton men following a ‘shocking level of disorder’ at a flat in Bedworth.

When officers responded to a call to a flat in Tom Ellis Court at 7.30pm last night (Thursday, March 21) people from another property became aggressive towards officers.

They made threats and threw items, including bottles and dumbbells, out of a window.

One man climbed onto a roof and had to be talked down by officers.

Those arrested were:

• A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill and criminal damage.
  
• A 27-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and breach of the peace.
  
• A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

Speaking about the incident, Inspector Chloe Barnes said: “This was a shocking level of disorder and fortunately nobody was injured.

"I’m keen to hear from any members of the public who have recorded footage of this incident.

“Officers are continuing to carry out enquiries in the area today.”

The three men from Nuneaton remain in custody.

Anyone with information should call Warwickshire police on 101, quoting incident 343 of March 21.

Details can also be passed on to the independent charity Crimestoppers, which is free to call from a landline and confidential, on 0800 555 111.

Coventry man among three charged following violent disorder in Exhall

A COVENTRY man was among three charged following a violent disorder in Exhall last week.

The incident occurred last Thursday (March 21) at a flat near Tom Ellis Court at around 7.30pm.

Sean Christopher Smout, 28, of no fixed abode but residing in Coventry, was charged with affray and criminal damage.

James Anthony Stewart, 31, of no fixed abode but residing in Nuneaton, was charged with affray.

Jemma Lily Powell, 27, of The Circle, Nuneaton, was charged with assaulting an emergency worker.

They have all been bailed to appear at Warwick Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (March 27).

Under 25s banned at crime-hit council flats

Under 25s and trouble-makers will be banned from living in a riot-hit block of council flats in Bedworth due to growing anti-social behaviour.

Such is the situation at Tom Ellis Court that Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council say that some residents are ‘afraid’ to come forward to report any issues due to a fear of reprisals.

Issues came to a head towards the end of last month when there was a riot in which police were pelted with bottles and dumbbells.

Following this, the council has decided to change the rules, known as a local lettings plan, and will restrict applications from those seeking to live in the flats.

In a report to councillor John Beaumont, the cabinet member responsible for housing, it explains: “There has been a long history of anti-social behaviour (ASB) at Tom Ellis Court over the years which unfortunately has started to increase in volume and severity.

“Residents are afraid to come forward to report any issues due to fear or reprisals and will not complete diary sheets. There was a serious incident just recently with one resident causing a riot against the police.

“Tenancy turnover has also started to increase. There are regular reports of individuals using illegal drugs with a constant smell of cannabis communal areas being reported. Sharps in communal areas have also been found by cleaning staff. This is an obvious health and safety risk.

“This Local Lettings Plan, will therefore, restrict specific housing applicants from being allocated a property at Tom Ellis Court.”

These restrictions include:

* Anyone with a history of serious anti-social behaviour (anyone who has received an ABC, ASBI, CBO, Civil Injunction or who has been implicated in a previous Closure Order elsewhere in the borough) and/or criminal behaviour such as; intimidation, drug dealing or discrimination/harassment (due to any of the protected characteristics in the equality section) will be restricted from being offered ANY property.

* No more than 25 per cent of lettings to these flats will be made to applicants identified by NBBC Homes as being vulnerable or having support needs

* No lettings will be made to anyone under the age of 25

Cllr Beaumont is set to recommend the changes during an individual cabinet member decision meeting on Tuesday, May 7.

But none of those arrested were under 25!