Police arrested two people and stopped over 60 others during an operation to tackle drugs and associated violence on Saturday evening.
Around 20 uniformed officers patrolled the city centre as part of Nottinghamshire Police’s Operation Guardian sting on violent crime and drug use.
Officers recovered eight deal-sized bags of cocaine and four bags of cannabis during their evening’s work.
Police officers also arrested a man in his 20s who had been circulated for recall to prison.
Despite being on a mountain bike, officers moved swiftly to make the arrest.
A 33-year-old man was also arrested for failing to adhere a Section 35 notice having behaved in a drunk and disordely manner in a public place.
Supported by plain clothed officers and a police dog, Operation Guardian aimed at detecting people who were mixing drugs and alcohol.
Plain clothed officers – ‘spotters’ – went ahead of the pack of uniformed officers, looking for anyone purposefully trying to lie low.
Several officers patrolled the city centre, assisted by a drugs dog, and carried out several stop and searches on those enjoying their evening out.
Our reporter Matt Lee followed the operation as police moved from Old Market Square towards the Corner House. It then moved along Forman Street to Milton Street and finally down Clumber Street into the square.
Nottinghamshire Police Operational Support Dog handler PC Saun Brown and Police Dog Toby were joined by PC John Marston from Leicestershire Police with Police Dog Storm.
PC Brown said: “This is a well led and organised operation, with a great team, in the right setting to showcase the scanning dogs’ ability to assist in removing drugs from a busy city centre.”
Sergeant Graham Whitt, who led the operation, said: “Despite the venues closing earlier we were pleased to have another successful operation in the city since the reopening of hospitality sector in March this year.
āOperation Guardian is highly successful, reducing violence by interdicting and intercepting the use of Class A drugs which when mixed with alcohol can lead to violence within the night-time economy.
“Incidents of violence greatly reduce when it takes place. This not only makes for a safer evening out but also reassures the public that Nottinghamshire Police takes proactive action to prevent crime from happening in the first place.
āIt is a great way for our officers to engage with the public on a night out and I would encourage anyone who sees something suspicious in town to speak to an officer or call 101, in an emergency, always dial 999.”
By Matt Lee
Images: Matt Lee