Nottingham is intensifying its crackdown on urban crime with the launch of Operation Reclaim, a multi-agency initiative designed to make the city centre a hostile environment for criminal activity. The strategy deploys high-visibility patrols across key sections of the city to tackle persistent issues ranging from drug dealing and weapon-carrying to illegal e-bikes and retail theft.
Residents and visitors can expect a significantly increased presence of uniformed officers and safety personnel. This proactive approach follows a successful surge in enforcement last December, which saw more than 500 arrests and 50 bans from the city centre in a single month following a machete confrontation near the Winter Wonderland in Old Market Square.
Main takeaways for residents
- Targeted Crimes: Focus on youth anti-social behaviour (ASB), drug distribution, shoplifting, and aggressive begging.
- Tactical Framework: Implementation of the Home Office ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ model.
- Public Input: A new survey allows the public to pinpoint specific areas where they feel unsafe.
- Environmental Improvements: Plans to remove graffiti and litter to revitalise public spaces.
Multi-agency patrols target city centre crime hotspots
Operation Reclaim is not a solo police effort but a collaborative project involving Nottingham City Council, the Violence Reduction Partnership, and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. Business interests are represented by ‘It’s in Nottingham,’ ensuring that the commercial heart of the city is protected from the retail crime and ASB that deters shoppers.
City Commander for Nottinghamshire Police, Superintendent Chris Pearson, emphasized that the minority will no longer be allowed to spoil the city for the majority. The operation aims to create a sense of constant surveillance for those intending to break the law, forcing them to either change their behaviour or exit the city centre entirely.
The ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ strategy explained
The initiative utilizes a three-phase tactic supported by Home Office funding. The ‘Clear’ phase involves targeted operations to relentlessly pursue and remove criminals from specific areas. This is immediately followed by the ‘Hold’ phase, where police maintain a stabilized presence to ensure that criminal vacuums—often seen in drug-dealing networks—are not filled by rival groups.
In the final ‘Build’ phase, Nottingham City Council and community partners take the lead. This involves structural and social improvements designed to make the area undesirable for criminals. Efforts will focus on keeping public spaces cleaner, tackling graffiti, and improving lighting and infrastructure to foster a long-term sense of security.
Public consultation to shape future safety priorities
A central component of Operation Reclaim is a ‘you said, we did’ approach to policing. A public survey has been launched to gather data from residents, students, and business owners. The police have committed to directing resources based on the specific geographic concerns identified by the community.
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden noted that the operation’s success relies on the public feeling a genuine change in their environment. By integrating street pastors and community support workers alongside police and council safety officers, the initiative seeks to restore trust and encourage more people to live, work, and study in the city centre without fear.
Nottingham City Council Leader, Councillor Neghat Khan, stated that the council’s focus remains on the long-term viability of the city. This includes immediate actions like tackling litter and supporting communities with local issues to ensure the ‘Build’ phase of the operation creates lasting change. The public survey is currently open and takes only a few minutes to complete, providing a direct link for citizens to influence local safety policy.
Source: Nottingham City Council
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