Nottingham Asda Stephen Newcombe Begging Ban

Overview: Who Is Stephen Newcombe & What Happened at Asda Hyson Green

Nottingham Asda Stephen Newcombe Begging Ban: In April 2025, Stephen Newcombe, a 39-year-old man with no fixed address, was handed a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) by Nottingham Magistrates’ Court. He pleaded guilty to repeatedly begging in a public place, specifically next to a cash machine outside Asda in Hyson Green, Nottingham.

Newcombe’s case is part of a broader enforcement effort by Nottinghamshire Police to curb persistent begging, loitering, and aggressive behaviour in and around the Asda supermarket in Hyson Green and other parts of Radford. The CBO against Newcombe imposes strict conditions: he must not loiter near shops, doorways, or within 10 metres of a cash machine, among other restrictions.

Details of the Criminal Behaviour Order & its Restrictions

The Criminal Behaviour Order issued to Stephen Newcombe is designed to both restrict his access to certain public spaces and require engagement with support services. Key restrictions include:

• Exclusion from loitering outside or within 10 metres of any shop entrance or public doorway.
• Specifically, a total exclusion zone around Asda in Hyson Green. He must not be near the cash machines there.
• A requirement to attend and engage with three sessions at a substance misuse service in Nottingham.

The order lasts for three years from 14 April 2025, reflecting the seriousness of repeated begging offences and refusal or failure to engage with prior warnings.

Context: Operation Brandberg & Policing Strategy in Hyson Green

Stephen Newcombe’s case did not emerge in isolation. It fits into a larger policing strategy known as Operation Brandberg, launched by Nottinghamshire Police in April 2023. The operation targets shoplifting and begging in Radford and Hyson Green, areas around Asda, and is based on a three-strike approach that blends support and enforcement

Here’s how the strategy works:

1. First interaction: issue begging warning, refer to support services.
2. Second interaction: stronger warnings, community protection notices.
3. Third interaction: when support is refused, move to legal enforcement – court summons, possibility of a Criminal Behaviour Order.

The results thus far show measurable impact: a roughly 35% drop in reports of begging at the Asda in Hyson Green over eight months, as well as reductions in shop theft.

Reasons Given by Authorities: Why the Ban & Enforcement

Authorities cited multiple reasons for implementing the ban on Newcombe and others in similar situations:

• Public complaints: Shoppers and local residents reported feeling harassed by people begging, especially around the entrance to Asda and cash machines.
• Concerns about aggressive behaviour: Beyond passive begging, some individuals were approaching people in more threatening or persistent manners.
• Link to substance misuse: Begging behaviour was, in many cases, tied to drug and alcohol dependency, which authorities argue requires both enforcement and treatment.
• Need for public safety and reassurance: Ensuring that people can go about their shopping or live in the area without feeling unsafe or uncomfortable. Hyson Green is described as a “hotspot” for these issues.

Impact and Reactions from the Community

The ban on Stephen Newcombe and the broader measures under Operation Brandberg have triggered a range of responses.

Positive Response

• Many shopkeepers and local business owners welcome the steps, citing that aggressive begging can deter customers and hurt local commerce.
• Residents report feeling somewhat safer and more comfortable using public spaces, particularly around Asda.
• Authorities and charities point to a fall in reported incidents and believe that with support integrated into enforcement, it may help vulnerable individuals address root causes of their behaviour.

Criticism / Concerns

• Some argue that banning orders can be punitive without addressing underlying issues such as homelessness, mental health conditions, or poverty.
• There are concerns about the efficacy of CBOs if support services are not sufficiently available or accessible.
• Civil liberties groups sometimes express worry that enforcement without adequate support might criminalize poverty.

Ultimately, authorities say enforcement is a last resort after warnings and support have been offereD

What the Ban Means: Legalities, Support & Next Steps

The implementation of the CBO for Stephen Newcombe sets out a framework not just for restriction, but also for redirecting behaviour and providing support. Understanding what this means in practice is important.

Legal Ramifications

• Breaching the CBO can lead to arrest and further court consequences.
• The exclusion zone means that Newcombe is legally required to stay away from certain areas – e.g., Asda Hyson Green, cash machines, shop entrances.

Support Obligations

• The requirement to undergo three sessions at a substance misuse service means there is an expectation of taking up help.
• Authorities involved (police, charities such as Framework, councils) are expected to offer routes to support in terms of housing, addiction services, mental health resources.

Next Steps for the Community & Authorities

• Continued monitoring and enforcement to ensure compliance.
• Ensuring awareness among vulnerable people about support services and the consequences of violating the order.
• Extending the model: additional applications of criminal behaviour orders to more individuals under Operation Brandberg.
• Engagement with the public to maintain trust, ensuring measures are seen as fair and balanced (support + enforcement).

Conclusion: Balancing Enforcement with Compassion

The Stephen Newcombe begging ban at Nottingham’s Asda Hyson Green illustrates a critical junction of public safety, law enforcement, and the welfare of vulnerable individuals. The Criminal Behaviour Order, lasting three years, is designed to prevent loitering and begging behavior in sensitive public areas, while also mandating engagement with substance misuse support.

Operation Brandberg, the coordinated strategy behind it, suggests that enforcement alone isn’t seen as sufficient — the inclusion of warnings, referrals, and support systems is crucial. The measurable reductions in begging and shoplifting reports indicate early signs of effectiveness.

However, the real challenge lies in ensuring that support is not just available, but accessible and compelling enough that individuals under such orders feel enabled to engage. Without strong, resilient social services, bans risk displacing the problem rather than resolving it.

For residents and stakeholders in Nottingham, the Newcombe case could be a turning point — signaling that persistent public begging will meet both firm legal response and offers of help. Whether this model becomes a template for other areas depends on maintaining a balance: compassionate justice, where vulnerable individuals receive help, and public spaces remain safe, welcoming, and respectful for all.