Extra Nottingham patrols following knife incidents
A dual strategy of high-visibility and plain clothes patrols are in place in Nottingham city centre following two knife-related incidents.
Extra police patrols are in place across Nottingham city centre following two knife crime incidents.
Officers were first called to Old Market Square around 11.50am on Monday after a man in his 30s was stabbed.
He was taken to hospital with injuries which are not believed to be life-altering or life-threatening.
At around 1.10pm a second incident took place in Long Row when a teenager suffered a minor injury to his arm, believed to be from a bladed weapon, during a fight.
A 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of affray and possession of a Class B drug in relation to the second incident.
Detectives are investigating both incidents by analysing CCTV footage and carrying out other local inquiries.
They are keeping an open mind on whether the incidents are linked.
Alongside these investigations, a large police presence will continue across hotspot areas to offer reassurance to people living, working and visiting the city centre.
The patrols – both uniformed and plain-clothed – are also being supported by Nottingham City Council’s community protection officers.
Superintendent Chris Pearson, area commander for the city, said:
“Our strategy will make Nottingham a hostile place for anyone carrying a knife.
“If you come into the city with a weapon then you can expect to be seen, stopped, searched and arrested. We will then use all the powers at our disposal to make sure you are put before the courts or banned from the city centre. The force responds to any knife crime incident in a robust and focused way and will use every tool available to us to track down those responsible.
“Nottingham is very well policed at all times – which is why we are able to respond quickly to incidents and make arrests – and is also served by an extensive CCTV network. If you produce a knife you will be captured on camera doing so. We also understand, however, that incidents of this nature in close proximity to each other will have caused concern in the community.
“People need to feel safe when visiting the city centre so we are deploying all the additional resources at our disposal on high-visibility patrols. These deployments will be accompanied by the work of specialist and plain clothes officers.
“We are working hard alongside the city council and other partners to make sure Nottingham is as safe as it possibly can be, so the vast majority of law-abiding citizens can enjoy everything the city has to offer.”