Ongoing operation clamps down on antisocial car cruisers

An ongoing police operation cracking down on antisocial car cruising and associated criminality in Gedling borough hotspot areas is continuing to make in-roads.

An ongoing police operation cracking down on antisocial car cruising and associated criminality in Gedling borough hotspot areas is continuing to make in-roads.

In October 2022 police launched Operation Triplefin - to prevent and reduce antisocial behaviour and criminal activity associated with car cruisers congregating in hotspot locations, including in the Netherfield and Colwick areas.

In addition, a three-year public spaces protection order (PSPO) came into force on 23 June 2023 which prohibits car cruisers congregating in such areas, and gives police powers to issue fines.

The order was secured as a result of collective work involving local police and Gedling Borough Council.

Since the launch of the dedicated operation, positive results achieved by just one of the police teams involved include:

• 69 drivers being stopped, spoken with, and given warning letters
• 39 vehicles being issued with Section 59 notices (these warnings come with Police National Computer (PNC) markers being placed on vehicles and individuals, meaning any other like behaviour in the next 12 months can result in prosecution and vehicle seizure)
• Twelve seizures of uninsured vehicles
• Nine PSPO breaches being passed to Gedling Borough Council for enforcement
• Six vehicles being seized using Section 59 powers
• Four drivers being arrested and receiving bans for drink/drug driving
• Three vehicles being seized for other matters relating to manner of driving or other Road Traffic Act offences
• Two incidents where cannabis was recovered and vehicles occupants were dealt with via out of court disposals

Officers continue to tackle the issue, using both marked and unmarked cars and body worn video cameras, as part of their tactics to clamp down on individuals causing problems and to keep people safe.

Police units continue to carry out proactive patrols and Operation Triplefin will continue to run in affected areas to give added protection to affected residents and businesses. 

Sergeant James Carrington, who has led on Operation Triplefin, said: “Our ongoing activity has already had a real impact on deterring and reducing antisocial car cruising in these areas.

“I hope it reassures our communities that we have listened, and we are continuing to take this seriously. Our proactive patrols are ongoing and we are continuing to work with our partners to tackle this issue.

“Operation Triplefin has already made a big difference and we will continue to take robust action against offenders who cause safety concerns and misery for local people.”

Police were made aware of cars which had congregated in Colwick on the night of 29 October. Response officers attended and vehicles involved were dispersed.

Car cruisers have previously been warned they could be prosecuted if they attend gatherings after the installation of a new CCTV camera.

The high-tech camera, capable to 360-degree viewing, has been put up at the entrance to the retail park site, near the new Sainsburys, off Colwick Loop Road, following funding from the Safer Streets project.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire secured £3 million from the Home Office’s Safer Streets fund and has been working with partners across the county to implement a range of schemes to tackle neighbourhood crime, antisocial behaviour and violence against women and girls.

A share of this money was specifically allocated for the Netherfield and Colwick area, with Nottinghamshire Police and Gedling Borough Council working alongside the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to implement schemes which aim to make public spaces safer for all.

Four automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras have been placed along the loop road as an added measure to prevent and reduce antisocial behaviour.