Operation that offers support pathway to vulnerable people sees fall in begging and shoplifting

A new ‘three strike’ approach has seen begging and shoplifting fall by more than a quarter at Castle Retail Park in Radford and Asda in Hyson Green.

Nottinghamshire Police launched Operation Brandberg in April 2023 in response to retailers, shoppers, and residents reporting shoplifting and harassment from beggars in inner-city neighbourhoods.

The scheme places offenders on a monitored pathway that provides access to preventative and supportive measures, whilst also tackling public begging and shoplifting.

Since the operation began, the area has seen a 28 per cent decrease in reported shop thefts between January 2023 and 2024.

As part of the initiative, officers have developed a streamlined ‘three strike’ process that offers wraparound support services for vulnerable people paired with escalating enforcement action.

Individuals identified with complex substance misuse, homelessness, domestic abuse, or mental health issues are eligible for referrals to Changing Futures Nottingham, which provides survivor support and rehabilitation programmes.

When offenders first engage with the officers, they receive a begging warning, a community protection warning and a referral to Changing Futures Nottingham.

At their next interaction, offenders receive a second begging warning, a community protection notice – which prevents them from loitering or being in a position to beg – and another support referral.

If support continues to be refused, offenders receive a final begging warning at their third encounter, a court summons, and an application for a criminal behaviour order, which can ban prolific beggars and shoplifters from an area.

However, Operation Brandberg has demonstrated that the further the process progresses, the fewer offenders reach the final stage and receive a criminal behaviour order.

Of the 64 offenders who have been involved with the process, just 17 per cent have reached the final stage, with the overwhelming majority diverting away from offending.

Those individuals have seen an improvement in their circumstances and no longer need to commit crimes to help fund their lifestyle. Referrals to help and support as part of the scheme have seen a decrease in the number of people begging in the area.

Analysis of reported shop thefts and begging in the area found an inverse correlation that when offenders were begging, they weren’t shoplifting – and vice versa.

This allowed neighbourhood officers to identify key time frames and increase more targeted patrols in Radford and Hyson Green where they engage with the community and offenders, which enables them to better understand the issues affecting all parties and offer the most appropriate solution.

Major retailers working alongside the force include Asda, Aldi, Poundland, and The Range, who have said the area is now safer and cleaner.

Learnings and best practice from Operation Brandberg have since been adopted by the Home Office for consideration of other forces to emulate the ‘three strike’ structure.

PC Zoe Dring, Nottinghamshire Police’s lead for Operation Brandberg, said: “Since the launch of Operation Brandberg we have secured several orders against those who continue to cause harassment, alarm, or distress in our communities.

“We have been able to offer support services to those who are the most vulnerable and it is important that we continue to do so, however, we also have a duty to act to protect retailers and members of the public if warnings are repeatedly ignored and support is refused.

“I’m pleased to say that we have seen a reduction in shop thefts and begging in Radford and Hyson Green and we will continue to work closely with our retail, support, and council partners to tackle this complex issue.”