Seven Arrested in Nottingham Mobile Phone Theft Crackdown
Seven men have been nabbed in a major raid linked to a rising wave of mobile phone thefts in Nottingham city centre. The crackdown unfolded yesterday morning (Monday 13 March 2023) at a property on Alfreton Road, Radford.
Warrant Uncovers Drugs and Stolen Phones
Officers from the City Centre neighbourhood policing team executed a court-authorised search warrant, seizing large amounts of suspected class A and B drugs alongside a haul of mobile phones believed to be stolen. The seven men, aged between 20 and 25, were arrested and taken into custody.
They face questioning over possession with intent to supply drugs, conspiracy to commit theft, and conspiracy to commit fraud. They remain in custody as tests are carried out to confirm the phones’ status.
Operation Cloud Targets Phone Theft Gangs
This operation is part of Operation Cloud, launched earlier this year to tackle surging mobile phone thefts across Nottingham’s city centre. Officers have been diligently tracking down offenders and recovering stolen devices.
“Mobile phone theft in the city centre has become a concern in recent months,” said Sergeant Richard Tiernan, the officer who led the raid. “We have seven suspects in custody and I hope this sends a strong message — we will not tolerate mobile phone thieves.”
Police Strike at Organised Crime Links
Chief Inspector Amy English, who oversees neighbourhood policing in Nottingham city centre, warned that these aren’t petty crimes.
“Smartphones can be worth hundreds of pounds, and thieves rack up huge bills or make expensive purchases using stolen phones. Organised crime groups exploit these profits to fund more serious offences at the expense of local communities,” she said.
“This warrant sends a clear message: Nottingham won’t let criminals roam free. We’re also tackling drug dealing, which devastates our communities with violence and exploitation.”
Call for Public Help
Nottinghamshire Police urge anyone with information about mobile phone thefts or the sale of stolen goods to step forward. Contact them on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111.
