Operation Reclaim: Caught you! Mobile phone to be returned to theft victim after suspect caught and their drugs operation dismantled

A teenager has found himself in 'double trouble' when officers investigating a phone theft in the city centre also uncovered a major cannabis operation.

A 19-year-old man was enjoying a night out in Ink Nightclub in April when he believed his mobile phone was taken from his pocket.

He was later contacted via social media site Snapchat claiming knowledge of the phone’s whereabouts and he would have to pay up to £200 for its return.

The victim contacted Nottinghamshire Police and officers have attended the address in Queen’s Road where the phone has been located.

Officers have also searched the address where a significant amount of cannabis, cash and weapons were uncovered.

A man, aged 18, has been arrested on suspicion of theft but also possession with intent to supply a controlled drug and possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

The arrest follows the launch of Op Reclaim, a partnership approach to relentlessly targeting criminals who use the city centre to commit crime.

Nottinghamshire Police are using the Home Office tactic called Clear, Hold, Build, where we make the environment as hostile as possible for criminals to operate and ensure the vacuum cannot be filled once they are arrested and charged.

Chief Inspector Kylie Davies said:

"Part of Op Reclaim is making the night-time economy as undesirable as possible for criminals to operate.

"Organised criminal gangs will target those who are intoxicated because they believe they will get away with stealing their phones without raising suspicion.

"Many people have their banking apps on their mobile phones, and we have had incidents where large sums of money have been withdrawn.

"We have already had some excellent results by going after those who come into the city centre to commit this appalling crime. In March this year, a man was sentenced to two years behind bars for stealing mobile phones from students at Rock City.

"As you can see from this arrest, we will continue to target these appalling individuals who think they can ruin people’s nights out by stealing their mobile phones.

"For this individual their luck has ran out. Not only has he been arrested for the phone theft, but our officers also uncovered a significant amount of cannabis at the address.

"We hope the seizure of these drugs and weapons will put a massive dent in his operation and we look forward to seeing him in front of the courts when charges arrive."