'I've been threatened and spat at while busking'

A busker who has been performing for the past 25 years says he is considering quitting due to anti-social behaviour during his performances.

Wes Dolan mainly busks in Mansfield town centre but said there had been an increase in aggressive incidents towards him in recent months.

"I have been threatened and spat at, and the problem's only getting worse," said the 45-year-old.

Nottinghamshire Police said it had a strong police presence in the town and would not tolerate nuisance behaviour.

Dolan, who lives in the Nottinghamshire town himself, said he was introduced to busking by his dad and uncle, and described it as his "therapy."

However, he said recent abusive incidents were taking the joy out of performing.

"I can no longer lose myself in a performance because I'm looking behind my back making sure that nobody hurts me," he said.

"Us performers are sitting ducks - and anything could happen."

Dolan said last weekend two people began trying to intimidate him while he was getting set up in the morning.

"They were shouting at me saying they'll 'smash me up' and started spitting at me," he said.

"One of them was hanging around my bucket, and I was honestly wondering if they'd steal it.

"The town centre has been neglected and I feel like that feeds into this kind of behaviour.

"Mansfield is my home town - I've been coming here regularly for 25 years, and I don't want to come anymore."

Dolan said busking was not always like this.

"Ten years ago, I felt safe and confident that people with bad intentions wouldn't come near my space - that has changed now," he said.

"There are still people who come every week to see me and they love what I do.

"My online presence is growing, and I love busking, but things can't continue to be this way. If my busking falls to pieces, everything falls to pieces. That is how I see it."

Insp Katie Eustace, district commander for Mansfeld, said: "Wes is a well-known and popular figure in the town centre and it is very sad to hear he has been treated in this way.

"We won't tolerate this kind of behaviour and anyone responsible for threatening or assaulting anyone in this way can expect to end up in a police cell.

"I urge anyone experiencing this kind of behaviour to call us immediately or speak directly to one of my officers so we can take action."

A Mansfield District Council spokesperson said: "We are aware of the incident and we understand that the police are dealing with the matter and we will support them in any way we can with their enquiry including access to CCTV footage in the town centre."

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