High-visibility patrols are saturating Nottingham’s streets as part of a major initiative designed to make the city centre a “no-go area” for criminal activity. Operation Reclaim brings together police, local government, and business leaders to confront the most persistent issues affecting the urban core, ranging from weapon-carrying and drug dealing to illegal e-bikes and retail theft.
The strategy shifts away from temporary surges toward a permanent, hostile environment for those committing crimes. This coordinated effort aims to restore public confidence and ensure that the minority of offenders do not dictate the experience of the majority who live, work, and visit the city.
The Clear, Hold, Build Strategy Explained
At the heart of Operation Reclaim is the “Clear, Hold, Build” tactic, a framework developed by the Home Office to dismantle organised crime and prevent its return. Nottinghamshire Police are spearheading the “Clear” and “Hold” phases, which involve relentless pursuit of criminals to remove them from specific areas.
Once an area is cleared of immediate threats, such as drug dealing networks or anti-social behaviour hotspots, officers will maintain a persistent presence. This prevents a “power vacuum” where new criminal elements might attempt to take control. Superintendent Chris Pearson, City Commander for Nottinghamshire Police, emphasized that the goal is to make criminals feel they are “constantly being watched” during Operation Reclaim.
Lessons From Old Market Square Patrols
The launch of Operation Reclaim follows successful enforcement actions taken late last year. In December, high-visibility patrols were surged into the city centre following a machete confrontation near the Winter Wonderland in Old Market Square.
That targeted response resulted in more than 500 arrests and saw over 50 individuals banned from the city centre in a single month for multiple offences. These metrics demonstrated the effectiveness of a concentrated police presence, providing the data-driven foundation for this broader, multi-agency rollout. The new operation seeks to replicate and sustain these results across a wider geographic footprint.
Multi-Agency Front Against Urban Crime
The initiative is not solely a policing matter. It involves a coalition including Nottingham City Council, the Violence Reduction Partnership, and “It’s in Nottingham,” which represents local businesses. This partnership ensures that safety is addressed through both enforcement and environmental design.
Nottingham City Council Leader, Councillor Neghat Khan, stated that the local authority will focus on the “Build” element of the strategy. This involves improving the physical environment by tackling litter, removing graffiti, and addressing infrastructure issues that contribute to a sense of disorder. By cleaning up public spaces, the council aims to make the city centre undesirable for criminal loitering while supporting the long-term resilience of the community.
Public Input to Shape Future Patrols
A critical component of Operation Reclaim is a new public survey launched to gather direct feedback from residents, students, and business owners. The “you said, we did” approach allows the public to identify specific areas where they feel unsafe, directly influencing where resources and patrols are deployed.
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden noted that the operation will feature a diverse range of personnel, including council neighbourhood safety officers, street pastors, and voluntary sector support workers. This visible network is intended to provide a reassuring presence for law-abiding citizens while maintaining pressure on those causing harm.
The public survey is currently open and takes only a few minutes to complete, offering a direct line for the community to help shape the future of Nottingham’s safety protocols.
Source: Nottingham City Council
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