Commissioner welcomes Old Market Square arrests
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden has welcomed the news of more than 200 arrests in a single month in the Old Market Square area of Nottingham.
The arrests came as part of a major crackdown on youth crime and drug-related activity.
Operation Listing was launched following a machete confrontation in view of families enjoying the Winter Wonderland in Nottingham city centre on November 16.
The incident prompted an extensive police response, with detectives making a number of arrests as part of a relentless investigation. into the disturbing scenes.
A significant number of additional officers were also deployed in the area following the incident to reassure the public and maintain a safe and enjoyable atmosphere throughout the festive period. They were joined by trained security officers at the Winter Wonderland site, with My Local Bobby officers from It’s in Nottingham carrying out foot patrols alongside Nottingham City Council’s Neighbourhood Safety Officers.
These extra patrols contributed to the 201 arrests that were made in the Old Market Square beat area in December for offences including drug dealing, carrying a bladed article, breaching bail conditions and assault.
All but four of those arrested were aged under 18 and we continue to work closely with Nottinghamshire's Violence Reduction Unit and social care support services to assess the child criminal exploitation risks and providing support as required.
PCC Godden said: “Many hundreds of thousands of people passed through the Old Market Square over the festive period.
“It was incredibly busy this year, and whilst feelings of safety can be impacted by knife incidents, it’s clear that most people still feel safe when they come to the city by the sheer footfall we have seen.
“The increased high-visibility presence from police and partners has given people reassurance - but it’s important to note that this partnership working doesn’t end here.
“Nottinghamshire Police, The Violence Reduction Partnership, Nottingham City Council, It’s in Nottingham and many other partners continue to work closely to ensure this city remains a safe place – including having a long term strategic approach to reducing violence and maintaining public space safety.”
Fifty-one people were also banned from entering the city centre over the festive period as part of their bail conditions. The conditions included not entering the city centre or wearing face coverings, which can cause fear and intimidation to the general public.
A total of 31 illegal e-bikes were seized as well, preventing them from being used to commit crime or make a fast getaway from an incident – and 29 dispersal notices were issued in December to prohibit people from returning to the city centre.
Assistant Chief Constable Suk Verma said Operation Listing had been a considerable success and reassured the public and local businesses that police teams will continue to be present – both visibly and discreetly – to further combat antisocial behaviour and crime in the city centre going forward. He said:
“To make 201 arrests in one small area in the space of a month is quite outstanding and reaffirms my firm commitment to the people of Nottingham at the start of December. I would like to express my gratitude to all the officers and staff, including our specials, for their relentless efforts in combating crime in Nottingham city centre.
“Operation Listing was initiated to ensure that people feel safe within the city, and we have worked closely with a number of key partners to drive down crime.
“Through this intensified action, we ensured the city centre remained a safe and welcoming place throughout the festive period and I hope members of the public and businesses have been reassured by our zero-tolerance approach to criminality.
“While the festivities have come to a close in the Old Market Square the story will not stop and we will continue to deploy dedicated patrols in both high visibility and plain clothes and our officers and staff remain committed to making the city centre a no-go area for anyone who wishes to commit crime. Our mobile CCTV van will also be heavily used to support the already extensive network of CCTV in and around the city in combatting crime.
“This said, I would repeat that we all have a part to play. Crime, and in particular youth crime, cannot be solved by the police alone. We will continue to work with statutory and non-statutory partners to ensure effective coordination.
“Also, parents and guardians have a responsibility to ensure their children are not carrying weapons or involved in acquisitive crime such as drug dealing or theft. If they have any concerns about their behaviour they can talk to us, anonymously if preferred through our live chat function, and we will act on any intelligence we receive.”
Councillor Corall Jenkins, Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Waste and Equalities at Nottingham City Council, said:
"Keeping Nottingham city centre safe, welcoming and enjoyable for everyone is a shared priority, and the results of Operation Listing show the impact that strong partnership working and visible presence can have.
"Our Neighbourhood Safety Officers and the My Local Bobby teams play an important role in providing reassurance, engaging with people early and working closely with police and other partners to prevent issues from escalating. This is about being present, approachable and responsive, particularly during busy periods and major events.
"The impact of Operation Listing reinforces the value of this approach. Building on what we know works, the Council is investing in additional frontline capacity, including recruiting more Neighbourhood Safety Officers and expanding the My Local Bobby presence in the city centre, to further strengthen reassurance and prevention alongside police colleagues.
"We know that enforcement alone isn’t the answer. Alongside robust policing, early intervention, support for young people and close collaboration with services are essential to tackling the root causes of anti-social behaviour and youth crime. We will continue to work with Nottinghamshire Police, It’s in Nottingham and wider partners to keep the city centre a safe place for residents, businesses and visitors.”