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Story of the night: Show of force maintains the peace

Posted on 11th August 2011 05:19

Nottinghamshire has enjoyed a trouble free night with no major disturbances or public disorder.

Around 800 police officers, PCSOs, Special Constables and CPOs worked throughout the night to prevent any repetition of public disorder and criminality which for two nights have blighting the streets and the lives of the city’s residents.

From 6pm, the officers were deployed to the city centre and throughout nearby residential areas.

Dog handlers and the Force’s mounted section joined their colleagues in a show of significant, highly visible force to reassure residents and to prevent criminality.

And after two nights of serious disorder, last night told a very different story.

• The number of incidents reported to the Force was significantly lower than the previous 48 hours.
• There were no reports of significant gatherings of youths.
• Reports of criminal damage were minor and few and far between.
• The number of people out and about on the streets was lower than would be normally expected on a Wednesday evening.
• Four arrests were made for minor public order offences committed overnight – compared to 86 the previous evening.
• An operation is currently underway to arrest more people suspected of committing offences Tuesday night’s disturbances, and as of 5am seven people have been arrested and 12 cannabis plants an a baton seized. This brings to a total 97 people arrested for offences in relation to the public disorder.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Scarrott, who commanded the policing operation overnight, said he was delighted that the city had been able to enjoy its first relatively peaceful night this week.

He said: “On Monday night, there were sporadic and serious incidents of criminality. That night, our tactic was to repel and separate large groups of youths intent on congregating in the city and suburbs.

“On Tuesday night, we warned that our tactics would be different. Again we drove the hooligans back, but this time we made many arrests. We prevented widespread looting and major fires, and despite attacks on police officers, vehicles and police stations, we stood firm and demonstrated that we would not tolerate such behaviour.

“Last night, we had our strongest presence yet on the streets lest anyone had failed to get the zero-tolerance message. We worked closely with all our partner agencies - including the city and county council, the Crime and Drugs Partnership, Fire and Rescue services, Ambulance crews and various watch schemes. And the hard work paid off.

“Whilst I’m delighted that the residents of the city could have a peaceful night’s sleep there will be no let up in our determination to take swift and decisive action against anyone who decides to break the law and participate in the sort of mindless, yobbish wanton criminality that blighted the city on Tuesday night.

“For that reason, we will continue to have at our disposal significant numbers of officers on duty, throughout the city and elsewhere, ready to respond 24/7 for the coming days and nights.”

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