'I locked myself in my shop as men threatened me'

Barnaby Nockolds said anti-social behaviour was a huge concern

A toy shop owner has said he thought he was "going to be stabbed" after a group of men made threats outside his store.

Barnaby Nockolds, who runs BarnDawg in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, said he locked himself and a customer inside his shop while the group shouted "we'll kill you, we'll destroy the shop, we'll smash your windows", after he asked one of them to return an advertising flag from outside his store.

He has joined other traders to demand the town is made safer amid concerns that anti-social behaviour is an escalating issue.

Derbyshire Police said it had stepped up patrols in the area and was in touch with business owners.

Mr Nockolds said a group of men made threats to him outside the shop

Mr Nockolds said he asked a man to return an advertising flag from outside his shop in Market Place on 24 November.

He said the man then became agitated and returned later with five others, who made threats.

"I locked the doors with a customer inside," he recalled.

"They were rattling on the doors, trying to get some response from me."

During a pause in the incident, Mr Nockolds said he unlocked the door to let the customer leave, but this appeared to agitate the group further.

"I was feeling very scared at that point and unable to get my signage back in," said Mr Nockolds.

Police were called and the group was dispersed, but Mr Nockolds said he was told the men could not be arrested.

"It's a huge concern because I thought I was going to be stabbed or something for asking someone not to destroy the store property," he said.

Mr Nockolds said he had experienced other incidents, having had people urinating outside the shop and stealing expensive Lego kits.

Jo Moody, of nearby Bethany Rose Bridal, also in Market Place, agreed there was a growing problem with anti-social behaviour.

She said she shielded a customer from a fight the night after the threats outside BarnDawg.

Jo Moody said anti-social behaviour had "peaked" in Long Eaton and requested a greater police presence in the town

"It was really embarrassing with a bride coming in," she said. "It's not the sort of environment you want a bride and her family to come into."

Ms Moody said she locked herself, staff and the customers in the shop until police arrived.

"This is not an isolated incident, there seems to be more and more of it each week," she said.

A group of 38 traders in the town met on Thursday to make requests to Erewash Borough Council and police.

In addition to extra police patrols, they have called for people engaging in anti-social behaviour to be banned from the town centre.

"It's making customers feel unsafe to come into the town, when they're around, which is affecting footfall," Mr Nockolds said.

Derbyshire Police said it was aware of issues in Long Eaton and had "moved groups on and away from the area where appropriate"

Sgt Gemma Bancroft, of the Erewash safer neighbourhood team, said the force was aware of the issues and was in touch with business owners.

"The safer neighbourhood team has stepped up patrols, and will continue to do so over the winter months where needed," she added.

"The team will continue to do everything in our power to clamp down on nuisance issues affecting people living in Long Eaton."

Becca Everett, lead member for community engagement at Erewash Borough Council, said the authority would do all it could to crack down on people causing upset and disruption.

"This work includes providing advice where other agencies may be best suited to respond directly to incidents of anti-social behaviour, or indeed where behaviour moves to be more criminal," Everett added.