PCC welcomes 40% drop in city centre antisocial behaviour as Operation Reclaim delivers results

Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden has welcomed a reduction of more than 40% in youth antisocial behaviour in Nottingham city centre, highlighting the impact of coordinated action by police, local authorities and other partners through Operation Reclaim.

The significant reduction comes as a restriction on face coverings associated with crime and antisocial behaviour reaches its first month, with early indications suggesting fewer people are wearing balaclavas to conceal their identities while causing trouble.

But the PCC has stressed that the restriction is just one part of a much wider partnership effort to tackle the issues affecting safety and public confidence in Nottingham city centre.

Through Operation Reclaim, Nottinghamshire Police, Nottingham City Council, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and other partners have introduced a range of measures, including increased high-visibility patrols, targeted policing operations and additional safety interventions.

These include dedicated Operation SafeTravel officers patrolling the city’s public transport network, enhanced CCTV coverage and the PCC-funded Angel Row Help Point, which has already helped police respond to incidents, safeguard vulnerable people and make arrests.

Together, these measures are helping partners tackle crime and antisocial behaviour, intervene earlier and provide greater reassurance to residents, businesses and visitors.

Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden said: “The reduction of more than 40% in youth antisocial behaviour is extremely encouraging and demonstrates what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared determination to tackle the issues affecting our city centre.

“I welcome the early signs that the face covering restriction is having the desired effect. Making it more difficult for people to conceal their identities while committing crime or intimidating others is an important step, and it’s reassuring to see fewer balaclavas being worn in the city centre.

“But we must remember that this restriction is just one part of Operation Reclaim. The progress we’re seeing is the result of a much wider, coordinated effort involving police officers, council community protection teams, transport partners and other agencies working together.

“From high-visibility patrols and targeted enforcement to our investment in the Angel Row Help Point and Operation SafeTravel, we’re taking action on several fronts to make the city centre safer.

“It’s that combination of enforcement, prevention, partnership working and practical investment which is making the difference. We cannot rely on any single measure to deliver lasting change, and I’m determined that we continue building on this progress so Nottingham remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone.”

The face covering restriction came into force on 15 September following consultation with residents, shoppers and businesses, giving police and Community Protection Officers additional powers to tackle individuals using face coverings in connection with crime or antisocial behaviour.

More than 40 young people are now on a police watchlist, with eight currently subject to city centre banning orders as part of their bail conditions, including restrictions on wearing face coverings.

Officers have reported early signs that fewer people are wearing balaclavas to cause trouble, although no £70 fines have yet been issued under the new restriction.

The measure is not a blanket ban, with exemptions protecting people who wear face coverings for legitimate religious, health, medical or work-related reasons.

City Commander, Superintendent Chris Pearson said: "Since September 15, officers have been trained in the new restriction and the powers now available to us.

"We are now starting to see less balaclavas being worn in the city centre as a result because people are worried about facing the fine or having the item confiscated.

"It is important to stress that a great deal of young people who have been wearing face coverings in the city centre with the intent of hiding their identity have been given bail conditions, which prevents them coming into the city centre or they face further arrest.

"This restriction will always be used proportionately. We have started with warnings, but we aren't afraid to use fines if the warning doesn’t work.

"It is important to stress that fines will only be handed out to those over the age of 18 as part of the rules of the restriction and therefore those under 18 are likely to face banning orders if involved in crime or anti-social behaviour.

"The face covering will also be confiscated.

"We are one month in, and it appears the message is getting through.

"This is all about making Nottingham a more welcoming and pleasant place to shop, work, live and visit and for members of the public to feel safer in the city centre.

"However, face covering restrictions are not the sole answer to the city's problems.

"Our youth anti-social behaviour team is out ensuring those causing the problems, with or without a balaclava are dealt with robustly including working with parents and guardians to change the cycle of behaviour.

"When this cannot be achieved, then we move to serious sanctions such as banning orders which means they can no longer hang out with their friends in the city centre.

"We are also referring them to the Immediate Justice Scheme, where they will have to carry out graffiti removal and litter picking as a result of their behaviour.

"A number of the 41 young people on our watchlist are now facing that sanction, and we will continue to make their lives as difficult as possible until change is inevitable."

Councillor Matt Shannon, Executive Member for Community Protection, Neighbourhoods and Equalities at Nottingham City Council, said: “People in Nottingham told us they wanted to see action on the use of face coverings in the city centre by people who are out to commit crimes and intimidate. We’ve responded with our new Public Space Protection Order, giving police and Community Protection Officers the power to step in and tackle this problem.

“We’re really pleased that we’re already seeing fewer people wearing balaclavas in the city centre. We’re going to keep this under review to make sure that we’re delivering the safer and more welcoming Nottingham that local people expect.”