Nottingham Police Launch Major Action Day to Smash Shoplifters
Nottingham city centre saw a big police presence on Tuesday 18 July as officers ramped up patrols and crime-busting operations. The aim? To scare off criminals and support local businesses struggling with retail theft.
Business Owners Join Forces with Police to Fight Crime
Local shopkeepers got a chance to speak directly with officers about how shoplifting hits their profits hard. Police outlined the joint efforts with partners to tackle retail crime head-on.
Teams from Nottinghamshire Police’s Prevention Hub also visited stores, conducting crime prevention checks to help retailers beef up security and support applications for Criminal Behaviour Orders against offenders.
Focus on Offenders and Support Schemes
Prolific shoplifters were rounded up and sent to a “problem-solving drop-in hub,” where support agencies offered help to steer them away from a life of crime. The hub provided access to schemes like the Offender to Rehab project, backed by retailers and partly funded by Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), targeting shoplifters with drug addiction issues.
Attendees—even homeless people—received free food and hygiene kits, thanks to partner groups Framework, Clean Slate, and Nottingham City Council.
Results and Reactions: Six Arrests and Wider Support
The Safer Business Action (SaBA) Day crackdown led to six arrests for offences including shoplifting. One offender received a community resolution—an out-of-court deal involving education or reparation.
About 40 people benefitted from the support hub, while officers engaged nearly 100 businesses on how to combat retail crime.
The event was supported by Nottinghamshire’s PCC and Nottingham’s Business Improvement District (BID). Nottingham was one of only three UK cities chosen by the National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) to host a SaBA Day this year.
Police and Partners Ready to Crush Retail Crime
“Shop thefts devastate communities and hit livelihoods hard,” said Chief Superintendent Suk Verma. “That’s why we’re working with partners to both deter criminals through street patrols and support offenders to change their ways. Projects like Offender to Rehab are vital to stopping repeat offending.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry added: “Shoplifting is no victimless crime — it hurts shop owners and drives up prices for customers. Hosting SaBA Day here shows our commitment to tackling this for good.”
Alex Flint, Nottingham BID CEO, said: “We back initiatives like SaBA to protect our 300-plus retail members and ensure a thriving city centre economy. Working together to fight business crime sends a clear message that this won’t be tolerated.”
Superintendent Patrick Holdaway from the NBCC commented: “Violence and abuse against shop workers is never acceptable. SaBA Days across the country help disrupt persistent offenders. It’s fantastic to see Nottinghamshire Police taking the lead.”
The crackdown sends out a strong warning: Nottingham’s retailers won’t stand for shoplifters wrecking their livelihoods, and police are ready to hit crime hard—both on the streets and through offender support.
