New investigators to support city crime crackdown

Three new investigators are being funded to support police in tackling retail crime in Nottingham.

The city council has approved £157,000 to fund the police staff investigators (PSIs) to work alongside neighbourhood policing teams and focus on gathering evidence and making sure cases move through the courts as quickly as possible.

Along with a fourth post already created, officials said the team will boost dedicated investigative capacity in the city centre, making sure suspects are dealt with and freeing up officers to respond to issues on the ground.

Nottinghamshire Police said the initiative would be a "huge benefit for our retail community who are being targeted by shoplifters".

A number of high-profile initiatives have been brought in to improve safety in the city centre.

These have included Operation Reclaim - a multi-agency campaign against anti-social behaviour - facial recognition cameras and a balaclava ban.

Matt Shannon, executive member for community protection, neighbourhoods and equalities at the council, said: "People want to see action on the crime and anti-social behaviour that affects their day-to-day lives.

"This investment will give Nottinghamshire Police dedicated investigative capacity in the city centre, helping cases move forward while freeing up officers to respond to issues on the ground."

Supt Chris Pearson, of Nottinghamshire Police, added: "Having these extra officers in post will be a huge benefit for our retail community who are being targeted by shoplifters.

"They will be dedicated to retail crime and will be able to ensure those causing the most harm to our business community will be dealt with robustly.

"This includes gathering evidence, ensuring offenders are put before the courts, ensuring those who continue to target businesses are subject to a criminal behaviour order, banning them from the area, and ultimately providing local businesses with the support they need.

"We simply won't tolerate offenders coming into Nottingham to commit crime and causing problems for our hard-working business community."

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