Update on policing in Rushcliffe from Inspector Tim Cuthbert - September 2025
Current priorities in your area
Through analysis of crime, consultation with partners, the PCC crime survey and feedback from our community, we have identified the following policing priorities from a review in September:
Theft of bikes and motorbikes – our response to a series of thefts of bikes and motorbikes across the south of the county.
Road safety – the item I receive the most correspondence about and at the top of concerns raised in the PCC survey.
Shop theft – remains a priority because of the overall level of offences and the disproportionate amount of offences committed by persistent, repeat offenders.
Actions on our priorities
Theft of bikes and motorbikes – a new priority for the team but we are already putting in place a problem management plan to tackle the issue and have conducted additional patrols in hotspots such as the Ruddington area. Robust checks will take place on any suspects currently on bail and neighbourhood officers will support investigative teams as their work continues. We will also liaise with partners to investigate whether infrastructure changes will assist with crime reduction.
Road safety – Speed watch initiatives within the community will allow us to identify problem roads and areas. Safety camera team and neighbourhood officers with speeding equipment will be utilised wherever appropriate. These initiatives will operate alongside the force-wide drink-drive campaigns ahead of Christmas.
Shop theft – Locate, arrest, charge and place before the courts the small number of offenders responsible for the vast majority of retail crimes. A mixture of high visibility and plain clothes patrols in targeted areas will allow us to be in the right place at the right time.
We will also be carrying out the meticulous evidence gathering required to target these offenders with Criminal Behaviour Orders, which allow individuals to be banned from particular shops or areas. If they flout these orders, longer jail sentences can be imposed.
Did you hear about this?
Neighbourhood police arrested two suspects and seized large amounts of cannabis as they continue to tackle drug supply in Rushcliffe.
Officers carried out coordinated, intelligence-based raids on homes in Stamford Road, West Bridgford, and Osier Fields, East Leake, on Monday (8 September).
Teams from the Rushcliffe neighbourhood policing team and tactical support group found cannabis throughout the West Bridgford address.
A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class B drug.
At the East Leake property officers arrested a man after finding two bags of cannabis and a small amount of ketamine.
A community garden in Rushcliffe blighted by antisocial behaviour is flourishing once again after incidents dramatically fell by 97 per cent with the help of targeted police action.
Cotgrave Community Garden had experienced issues with young people breaking down fences to access the site.
There had also been instances of a polytunnel greenhouse being slashed, plants and produce being deliberately uprooted, littering, and drug use.
Nottinghamshire Police implemented a problem management plan to help resolve the incidents, which is used by officers to analyse a recurring issue and achieve the best possible outcome for communities.
A total of 21 incidents were reported to Nottinghamshire Police in 2023, with 33 reports the following year, which peaked over the summer months.
Since the plan was established in May 2024, just one unrelated call has been received so far in 2025, when a young person accessed the site to retrieve a football – a reduction of 97 per cent.
Crime prevention officers completed a site survey to identify vulnerable areas, make recommendations to install new security measures, and advise on the most reasonable ways to reduce crime.
It’s been a case of ‘you said we did’ after neighbourhood officers took action to successfully tackle youth-related antisocial behaviour to help create a safer community for residents in Rushcliffe.
West Bridgford officers have been listening to residents’ concerns and have put measures in place to ensure the surrounding area sees a reduction in criminal activity.
Concerns include reports of groups of young people shoplifting from supermarkets on Bridgford Road, verbal abuse of staff, and causing damage to shop doors, signs, and park play equipment. Reports have also been received about graffiti.
Minor arson incidents around Bridgford Park have also been reported, with eight children identified and referred to Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Firesetter scheme.
The intervention programme aims to help educate children and young people about the dangers of fire and deter this dangerous behaviour.
Rushcliffe neighbourhood officers quickly identified the small group of young people responsible by working closely with local schools and analysing CCTV footage.
In August, 11 young people aged between 12 and 16 were each issued with a community resolution with a positive requirement to complete an Immediate Justice referral.
Five young people received formal written warnings, and three others were educated by officers about the impact of their behaviour.
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