High Sheriff praises officers during public observation scheme visit

“It’s been a really eye-opening experience.

“The officers are absolutely brilliant, they’re going above and beyond – total professionals. They’re a really tight-knit, solid team, really good people doing an amazing job.

“It is an amazing experience to see and appreciate what these people are doing to keep us all safe.”

These are the words of The High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire after he joined response officers during an evening shift.

High Sheriff Ed Attenborough went out on patrol to see the realities of frontline policing in Nottingham city centre as part of the public observation scheme on 26 November.

The High Sheriff’s shift began with a blue-light call to reports of a burglary in progress at the flats above the Victoria Centre. On arrival, the call was not as reported, as neither the caller nor the offenders could be located.

Just 15 minutes later, at around 3.45pm, a 38-year-old man wanted on recall to prison was spotted in Canal Street. He was arrested for breaching licence conditions.

Another emergency call followed with a blue-light response across the city centre to reports of a domestic incident at a bar in Forman Street.

The visit provided the opportunity to see the realities of frontline policing and the types of incidents officers respond to daily to help keep the public safe.

Officers were also flagged down by security staff at a retailer in Clumber Street to pass on the descriptions of potential suspects.

In Carlton Street, bar staff reported an aggressive and antisocial man who was being disruptive and attempting to start a fight.

He became agitated and refused to cooperate when approached by officers, and so a 29-year-old man was arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

The force’s public observation scheme allows members of the public, who must be aged over 18 and live in Nottinghamshire, to shadow four key areas and gain a unique insight into the realities of policing.

Foot patrols include a walk-and-talk with an officer from a neighbourhood policing team to discuss areas of concern, particularly those aimed at women and girls.

A control room visit allows visitors to experience how emergency 999 calls are handled, while response patrols allow participants to observe arrests, traffic stops, and how victims are supported.

Scheme participants can also observe how new recruits are taught and equipped with key skills during their initial training programme.

Ed added: “During my tenure, I’ve been fortunate to visit police headquarters and see the operations centre there and meet the firearms team and dog handlers.

“I’ve got a good feeling of the force and what they do here in Nottinghamshire, and it’s seriously impressive, it really is.

“I’d encourage people to take part as an observer; it will be a massive eye-opener for you. You won’t realise how much is going on behind the scenes and how much we owe to a bunch of people who are doing an absolutely amazing job.”

The High Sheriff is His Majesty the King’s representative in Nottinghamshire.

They are responsible for attending royal visits to the county, actively encouraging crime prevention, and supporting the charity and voluntary sector.

Members of the public who are interested in taking part in the public observation scheme should email [email protected] for further information.

Inspector Paul Peatfield, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We want to help all members of the public get to know the officers behind the uniform, build stronger bonds with our communities, and challenge policing stereotypes.

“It’s really important that as a force we are transparent and accountable, and this scheme allows members of the public to see first-hand the realities of policing.

“The observation scheme is a useful tool to help us build trust and confidence with all of our neighbourhoods and ensure that community voices are heard.”