North West Leicestershire Police say there were 67 crimes recorded in Ashby over a three month period - but 10 of them were committted by just one person.

The NPA Commander for North West Leicestershire, Wayne Nimblette, provided an update on the key crime issues in the town.

He spoke at last month's meeting of Ashby de la Zouch Town Council's licensing committee.

Commander Nimblette attended with his deputy, Sergeant Ryan Ludlam, and went through the crimes that had occurred in the centre of Ashby over the previous three months.

He told councillors: "In Ashby there were 10 shop thefts, 24 assaults, six sexual assaults, three of criminal damage, eight thefts not related to shops and two burglaries.

"Of those offences, one incident created 10 crime reports, which led to an arrest in Market Street, with assaults to police officers and sexual assaults. This was publicised at the time.

"So, of a total of 67 crimes, 10 were related to just one person."

Commander Nimblette also mentioned the fatal accident on the December 1, and the road rage incident on December 7, which resulted in an elderly woman breaking her hip after being pushed. 

He also mentioned that there will be another speed action coming up in March and asked committee members to advise of him of any areas where these operations should occur. 

Commander Nimblette explained that there is a proactive neighbourhood beat team in North West Leicestershire, with them processing the highest amount of warrants in the county.

Cllr Dan Harrison expressed concerns about the drug situation in Ashby. 

Commander Nimblette explained that the difficulty the police face is witnesses not being prepared to give a statement so the police are unable to push the cases forward. 

He said the police are, however, being very proactive in chasing up leads regarding drug crime. 

But he added that County Lines was not an issue in Ashby, although though it will always be a problem for areas close to a motorway link. 

He added that the local police, working with the Met, had arrested four people, three of those are currently on remand. 

Sergeant Ryan Ludlum commented that the police could be better at engaging and communicating progress the police have made with towns and parishes. 

There was a police presence in Ashby's Market Street in the lead up to Christmas. Photo: Ashby Nub News

Cllr Geraint Jones asked about the relationship between door staff and the police. 

Commander Nimblette said that he is very much aware that this is an issue and something that he will be addressing.

Cllr Jones asked for clarification on when the police would object to a licensing application. 

Commander Nimblette explained that if the police are aware there is serious violence at a premises, the police would usually object to the application. 

Cllr Jones added that he had recently attended a licensing hearing and it was "safe to say that regular incidents occurred close to this premises".

Sgt Ludlam explained that the police can only object on certain grounds.

They use a system called 'Inn keeper' where all incidents are recorded against each licensed premises. 

On this occasion the police did not have enough reported incidents to object. 

He explained that the police are pushing to ensure that all incidents are documented.