Operation Reclaim: Sur-Ron bikes seized and suspected drug dealer arrested by city centre police

Patrols targeting antisocial behaviour in Nottingham city centre led to the arrest of a suspected drug dealer and the seizure of two Sur-Ron electric bikes.

Officers were called to North Sherwood Street at 11.30am on Thursday 30 April after it was reported a small group dressed in black had arrived on Sur-Ron bikes.

Neighbourhood officers attended to deter the group from causing issues and to provide reassurance to local residents.

As officers arrived, one male attempted to make off on his Sur-Ron bike. Moments later he collided with a hedge and fled on foot, leaving his bike behind and enabling police to seize it along with a second Sur-Ron bike that was abandoned close by.

Officers caught up with the fleeing male and arrested him a short time later in Dryden Street. The suspect was searched and officers recovered a quantity of controlled drugs.

The 23-year-old was taken into custody and charged with possession with intent to supply a Class A drug. He appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court the following day and was remanded into custody ahead of his next appearance at Nottingham Crown Court on 29 May.

Sergeant Dan Butler, of the City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:

“Tackling antisocial behaviour and drug dealing are among our top priorities in the city centre.

“We know the public are fed up of these issues and that is why we are carrying out proactive patrols like this.

"In this instance, not only have we recovered a quantity of controlled drugs, we have also seized two Sur-Ron bikes. 

"Sur-Ron bikes are classified as motorbikes, not bicycles, in the UK and illegal to ride on public roads, pavements, or cycle lanes without full compliance.

“To be road legal, Sur-Rons must be registered with the DVLA, taxed, insured, and fitted with lights and plates, and riders must have the correct license and helmet.

“If you have information on drugs, antisocial behaviour, the criminal use of bikes or anyone carrying weapons please get in touch by calling 101.”

The charges come as Nottinghamshire Police announces the deployment of high-visibility patrols to different sections of the city centre as part of major plans to make Nottingham 'a no-go area' for criminals to operate.

Operation Reclaim is a collaborative project to solve the biggest problems affecting the city including youth ASB, drug dealing, weapon-carrying, illegal e-bikes and retail crime.

It will bring together key partners to ensure that the city becomes as hostile as possible for criminals to operate.

Partners include Nottingham City Council, the Violence Reduction Partnership, Nottinghamshire’s Office of the Police and Commissioner and It’s in Nottingham, which represents city centre businesses.

We will use the Home Office tactic called Clear, Hold, Build, which is a three-phrase approach to make the city safer, restore trust and confidence, and tackle organised crime groups and those causing the most harm to the city centre.