Safer Sutton after resident receives an Anti-social Behaviour Injunction Order

A resident who caused anti-social behaviour in Sutton Town Centre is served with an Injunction and ordered to pay over £2000.

Zoe Johnstone, of Sutton in Ashfield received an Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction after high levels of anti-social and disorderly behaviour in Sutton town centre, ASDA supermarket and other shops in the area.

Johnstone’s behaviour included, assaults, threats, abuse, and throwing of objects at staff at various stores across Sutton in Ashfield.

Following multiple complaints, the Council attempted to engage Johnstone with support services and attempted to address the behaviour through informal warnings, but the behaviour continued. This has resulted in the Council’s Community Safety Team issuing the resident with a community protection warning in August 2023, followed by a Community Protection Notice in September 2023, which banned Johnstone from entering ASDA and Sutton Town Centre.

The Council's Community Safety and Legal Team had no other option than to apply go to the Courts, where they were successfully granted an Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction Order on Friday 5 January 2024 at Mansfield County Court. The resident was also required to pay costs of £2219.62.

The injunction order granted under part 1 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 remains until 11:59pm on 1 November 2024 and prevents Johnstone from committing violence, making threats, being abusive and/or engaging in anti-social behaviour. Johnstone is also forbidden from entering or remaining in Sutton in Ashfield town centre which includes the ASDA store.

Johnstone can be arrested for breaches of the order and any breaches can be reported to Nottinghamshire Police and Ashfield District Council’s Community Safety Team at the time or after the event.

Cllr John Willmott, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said

“This individual was causing a misery to residents, visitors and businesses in Sutton Town Centre and thanks to the work of the Council’s Community Safety and Legal Teams we have addressed the issues to ensure that we have a safer Sutton town centre.

The Injunction has a power of arrest attached meaning if the resident breaches the order, she may be arrested. We have proven time and time again that we will pursue enforcement action where required so that our District is safer, cleaner and welcoming places to visit’’.

Ward Cllr for New Cross & Sutton East, Samantha Deakin, added:

"This result demonstrates an effective response to an escalating situation which began to have an impact to individuals that live, work and visit Sutton. The Council’s Community Safety Team worked in partnership with local business, residents and Nottinghamshire Police, and was able to take swift action to address the issues and secure the order’’.