ENGLAND’S most zealous policeman has been told to stop feeling quite so many collars because he is scaring the suspects off.

PC Diederik Coetzee, who holds the national record for the number of arrests in a year, has been ordered not to make any more in a particular street in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, despite its reputation as a haunt of drug dealers.

Managers of the Sherwood Street day centre and YMCA hostel complained that PC Coetzee was nicking too many of their “vulnerable” young clients and frightening away the needy who sought refuge from a life on the streets.

While the average officer manages only 9.5 arrests a year, PC Coetzee has already smashed the existing record of 305 held by a Northumbria police dog handler and has received an official commendation. He had set himself a target of 380 by the end of this month, an aim which will now be more difficult to achieve.

“Everyone has a lot of respect for PC Coetzee, but there is no point in having a centre like this if the very people it is meant to help stay away,” a source at the day centre said.

Chief Inspector John Eyre said: “PC Coetzee is an enthusiastic, tenacious and pro-active police officer. Recently his work, including arresting people who have failed to appear in court, has led to concerns from managers at Sherwood Street day centre that his actions may deter vulnerable members of the community from using the service.”

Chief Inspector Eyre added: “In a spirit of co-operation with the day centre, police have come to an agreement that extra care and consideration will be taken as to where any such arrests take place.”

Known locally as Robocop, PC Coetzee, 48, a married father of two, came to Britain from South Africa eight years ago after 24 years as a police explosives expert and dog handler in Johannesburg.

Two years ago, was among the 30 most deprived areas in England and Wales. The latest crime figures show 26 violent attacks per 1,000 head of population compared with a national average of 16.5; 10 house burglaries against an average of 6.4; 7 vehicle thefts against an average of 4.5 and 17 thefts from vehicles compared with 10.

When he joined Nottinghamshire Constabulary five years ago he set about cleaning up the Ladybrook estate on his mountasin bike, unlike his bulletproof vest and firearms days in Johannesburg.

Speaking recently after his commendation PC Coetzee said: “I’ve got to know the criminals and they all know me. They don’t even try to run from me any more, because they know I’ll catch up with them.”

At the time Inspector Samantha Wilson, his area commander, said he was an outstanding officer who had made a significant contribution. Now she has had to tell him to ease off.

Down at Mansfield nick yesterday the talk was of little else. “It’s ridiculous,” a source said. “He’s officially the best copper in Britain but he’s been told to stop arresting people in an area where drug dealers and burglars are known to hang about. His trouble is he’s too good at what he does.”

The same cannot be said for Nottinghamshire Constabulary, which two years ago was named the second-worst performer among the 43 forces in England and Wales.

A police spokeswoman said that the award-winning centre was a successful drug treatment facility that was working to stop addicts getting involved in crime. It was being run by the force and other agencies and PC Coetzee was not aware of the police involvement in the centre because it was not officially on his beat.

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