MORNING EDITION: Pair arrested after high-speed police chase through Arnold on stolen bike

Good morning 🌅 It's finally Friday! Here's your latest email updating you on the latest news and information from across Gedling borough. Have a great weekend!

🏍️ Two arrested following high-speed police chase through Arnold on stolen motorbike

Two men have been arrested after drink cans and a bike helmet were hurled at police during a high-speed chase on a stolen motorcycle in Arnold.

Officers were on patrol in the town when they spotted two men riding a motorbike which did not have a registration plate.

As the bike passed the police car an item was thrown and struck the windscreen.

Officers from the Operational Support team began pursuing the motorbike after it then failed to stop around 7.45pm on Tuesday (24).

The bike was ridden dangerously and at speed along residential streets through the town.

Further items, including a helmet and drink cans, were also flung towards police before officers made tactical contact with the bike at low speed.

One suspect remained with the bike and the other was detained after a brief foot chase.

Officers found two knives when they carried out searches and seized a crowbar which was found nearby.

A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a knife in a public place, driving a motor vehicle dangerously, failing to stop and driving without a licence or insurance.

A second man, aged 24, was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a knife in a public place, criminal damage, going equipped for theft and an unrelated assault.

Inspector Steven King, local area commander for Gedling borough, said: “The officers on patrol did an excellent job to bring this pursuit to a safe conclusion, make two arrests and seize a stolen motorcycle.

“Their skill and professionalism are in contrast to the dangerous display of driving they witnessed from the bike.

💷 £75,000 emergency cash secured for repairs to A612 Colwick Loop Road

Urgent repairs are set to take place on the A612 Colwick Loop Road after £75,000 in emergency funding was secured following sustained campaigning and strong feedback from local road users.

Colwick Loop Road is one of the busiest routes in the area and in recent months, sections of the carriageway have deteriorated significantly, with deep potholes and severe surface damage creating hazards for drivers and cyclists and increasing the risk of vehicle damage.

Cllr Mike Adams, who represents Carlton East on Nottinghamshire County Council, met directly with highways officers to press for urgent action and has welcomed the confirmation of funding.

Mr Adams said: “This investment is the result of residents and road users speaking up and making it clear that the condition of the A612 was simply not good enough.

"I want to thank everyone who raised concerns, reported defects and shared their experiences. Their voices have made the difference.

"I have been working closely with highways officers to ensure this stretch was prioritised, and I am pleased that we have now secured £75,000 in emergency funding to get these repairs underway.

"This intervention will tackle the worst sections and make the road safer for everyone who relies on it.

"Temporary warning signs were installed earlier this week as the severity of the defects became increasingly clear. The confirmed funding will now allow priority resurfacing works to be carried out to address the most damaged areas of the carriageway.

Cllr Adams is encouraging residents to continue reporting potholes and road defects through the county council’s official reporting system so that further issues can be logged and prioritised.

┬─┬ ‘Living tribute’ bench unveiled to teenage cardiac arrest survivor in Gedling Country Park

A teenager who suffered a cardiac arrest while playing basketball and was given a less than 10 per cent chance of survival has been ‘honoured’ with an iconic red bench in Gedling Country Park.

The 'living tribute' bench to teenager Jack Taylor has been erected as part of a campaign to raise awareness of the importance of research into cardiovascular disease. 

Jack is one of just 65 people across the UK chosen by British Heart Foundation (BHF) to take part in its national campaign and have a red bench installed with their name on it, to celebrate 65 years of the charity funding life-saving cardiovascular research. 

The bench was unveiled at the park where Jack and his family have enjoyed many family days out. 

Jack said: ‘I’m delighted to be part of this campaign to help spread awareness of cardiovascular disease. It feels cool but surreal to have a bench named after me. As a kid I’d see names on benches – everybody has their own story and now I’m putting my story out there. I hope the red benches will encourage more people to learn CPR – CPR saved my life!’

'Life support'

 On Feb 12, 2024, Jack, who played competitive basketball and used to train four times a week, collapsed from a cardiac arrest while playing basketball, aged 17. An off duty Red Cross first aid instructor who was on the adjacent court, performed CPR and a defibrillator was used.

Jack was rushed to Glenfield Hospital in Leicester where he spent nine days on life support before being transferred to the specialist heart unit at Harefield Hospital in London where he was diagnosed with the inherited heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. His dad and twin brother were subsequently found to also have the gene change.​

Jack had less than a ten per cent chance of survival. His battle went on for months. Eventually, doctors were able to operate on Jack’s own heart to help it function adequately. He was fitted with an ICD with a pacemaker function and is now studying Software Engineering at university.

Jack said: "I have told some of my friends at university that I had a cardiac arrest and they are always shocked that it could happen to someone so young. There needs to be more awareness of cardiovascular disease because most people think it only affects older people.

"It’s quite an in depth, intimate conversation to have so I wouldn’t tell people when I first meet them unless I needed to– I want to get to know people first.

"When I first came out of hospital it was hard and a lot to process because I was in my own little protective bubble in hospital but now I’ve come to terms with what happened and want to move forward with my life."

British Heart Foundation hopes the red benches will encourage others to open up about their experience of living with cardiovascular disease and help raise awareness across the UK.  

They are also urging people for donations so they can help fund more groundbreaking research to keep the nation's hearts beating. 

BHF worked with Saatchi & Saatchi and Raw Research to identify cardiovascular disease survivors and suitable locations, with Jack's bench installed thanks to the work of Gedling Borough Council.

Councillor Viv McCrossen, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Natural Habitat, said: “I’m incredibly pleased that we’ve been able to support the British Heart Foundation’s In Living Memory campaign.

"This bench will offer a meaningful space for the local community to pause and reflect on the importance of life‑saving research into cardiovascular disease. Research that enables people like Jack to share their stories.”

Donate now to keep the nation beating - visit bhf.org.uk/keepusbeating

✊ Pothole protest planned

Campaigners angry over the state of the roads across Gedling borough are planning a protest outside County Hall next month.

The Gedling Borough Potholes group is calling on angry local residents to bring banners and noise to the council HQ in West Bridgford on March 5 between 10am-11am, which will coincide with the Authority's monthly Cabinet meeting.

Campaigners will also be handing in a petition calling for urgent action, which has been signed by more than 1,300 furious residents across the borough.

Helen Auld, a spokesperson for the group said: “Our roads are no longer just an inconvenience – they are a danger. We are asking the County Council to take responsibility, publish a real plan, and make our roads safe again.”

The conversation continues on the Gedling Borough Potholes Facebook group which you can join HERE

🌤️ WEATHER UPDATE

Here's what's in store for today and over the weekend...

It will be a largely cloudy day today, with outbreaks of rain. Rain may turn heavy and showery through the middle of the day and into the afternoon. Light winds will be mild. Tonight it will remain largely cloudy through the evening and much of the night, as rain slowly clears eastward. Becoming dry and chilly from the west late in the night. Light winds. Minimum temperature 5 °C.

On Saturday it will be cloudy to start, gradually turning brighter as any lingering rain clears. A band of showers will likely move in later in the day. Light winds.

There will be strong winds on Sunday with some rain but also some drier spells. Temperatures a little above average.