High-visibility patrols deployed to Nottingham city centre to offer reassurance
Increased high-visibility patrols will be deployed across the city centre in the wake of three knife-related incidents in the space of a few days.
Officers have already made a “significant” number of arrests as they piece together the motive behind each incident.
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden has praised Nottinghamshire Police’s robust response to the incidents and vowed that partnership working to tackle the root causes of serious violence will continue to ensure ongoing reductions in serious violence.
Assistant Chief Constable Suk Verma, head of local policing, said the public can expect to see high-visibility patrols across the city centre to offer reassurance.
Officers from across neighbourhoods and response will be drawn in to cover hot spot areas where we believe there may be tensions. They will also be accompanied by plain-clothed patrols.
They will be using all the powers at their disposal to ensure anyone caught with a knife is arrested and prosecuted for their actions.
ACC Verma wants to stress that all three incidents appear isolated and those involved were known to each other.
A swift policing response has ensured that those responsible were immediately arrested with one 16-year-old boy charged following the Primark incident.
He said: “We know the recent incidents in the city centre in close proximity to each other will have caused fear, alarm and distress for the local community.
“The last thing we want is for the public to feel that Nottingham is an unsafe place to visit. Knife crime continues to reduce across the city and county and we do not want three incidents over a matter of days to deter people from coming to our city.
“These are the actions of a minority, and we couldn’t be clearer with our response. We will not tolerate it. If you carry a knife in Nottingham, we will arrest you!
“Nottingham city centre is very well policed. We have both uniformed and plain-clothed officers that patrol the city daily.
“That’s why we have been able to make a significant number of arrests in relation to all three incidents.
“Every day we are arresting the very people who wish to prevent our city from being a desirable place to shop and visit.
“This includes those in possession of weapons. Some of whom are now serving a considerable period of time behind bars as a result of their actions.
“The city also has a large network of CCTV cameras, which makes it incredibly difficult for someone to commit a crime and think they can get away with it.
“However, the public can expect to see a large, increased police presence in the city centre over the coming days and weeks.
“This is to offer the public the reassurance they want and deserve. This will not affect our policing response to other parts of the city and county we cover.
“It is important to stress that knife crime is not just a policing matter. It has to be a multiagency approach, and it is important we work with partners to stamp this societal problem out of our cities and towns.
“As a police service, we are committed to ensuring those who wish to strike fear into our local community will be dealt with swifty and robustly. We will not tolerate it.”
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Gary Godden, said: “The policing response to these incidents has been robust and shows that knife crime will never be tolerated in our great city.
“Tackling knife crime is a complex issue and needs a long-term approach to tackle the causes. Here in Nottinghamshire, we are taking a strategic partnership approach to reducing it. I lead the Violence Reduction Partnership of local authorities, police public health and other key partners and the partnership is doing some great work focusing on tackling the root causes and supporting vulnerable young people to reduce the risk of becoming involved in serious violence, through trauma counselling, coaching, mentoring and diversionary activities.
“The statistics show that it is working because violence with injury and hospital admissions for knife crime are reducing but we must continue to ensure we work together as a community to ensure our young people are in no doubt that carrying a knife is unacceptable and it only puts you at risk.”
Primark incident
On Sunday February 23, a 17-year-old boy sustained stab injuries at Primark in Nottingham city centre. He was treated for non life-threatening injuries.
A 16-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with the offence and is due to appear before the courts in March.
He is on strict bail conditions which includes not to enter the city centre.
No one else is wanted in connection with this incident.
Lower Parliament Street incident
On Thursday February 27, a number of young people were seen fighting in Lower Parliament Street. No injuries were sustained.
Two men have been arrested in connection with this incident and a machete was recovered. Everyone involved was known to each other.
A team of detectives are continuing to follow a number of lines on inquiry to establish the motives behind this incident.
Hounds Gate incident
On Friday 28 February, police were called to a house party in Hounds Gate. The property had been rented for a 16-year-old girl’s birthday.
There was around 40 people in attendance.
A 17-year-old boy was taken to hospital with non life-threatening stab injuries. Two other people were also injured – a 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl.
Officers have now arrested eight people in connection with this incident and have seized six weapons.
All parties were known to each other. This was an isolated incident and has no connection whatsoever to the incident at Primark.
A team of detectives are continuing to follow a number of lines on inquiry to establish the motives behind this incident.