Nottingham Venues Join Fight Against Mobile Theft
Victoria Centre and Motorpoint Arena have thrown their weight behind Nottinghamshire Police’s campaign to tackle mobile phone thefts. Both venues donated prime advertising space on giant screens to broadcast the message: “Keep your stuff safe.”
Operation Cloud Targets Rising Theft Rates
The City Centre neighbourhood police team launched Operation Cloud in January after a surge in mobile thefts, especially around fast-food joints and coffee shops. The initiative features a mix of undercover and visible patrols, as well as the distribution of crime prevention postcards and posters advising the public on protecting their belongings.
Signs of Success As Theft Reports Plummet
Sergeant Paul Whitehead praised the partnership:
“We are extremely grateful to both venues for supporting this important campaign. It appears to be having the desired effect as reports of mobile phone distraction thefts have fallen in recent weeks. We went from 13 reports in three weeks to just one report in 10 days.”
He added: “We will continue to work with our partners to tackle crime and make Nottingham an even safer place to live, work and visit.”
Venues Committed to Shopper Safety
Nigel Wheatley, Victoria Centre director, said:
“We’re pleased to back Nottinghamshire Police’s latest initiative to combat distraction thefts across the city. The safety of our shoppers, staff, and retailers is always our number one priority. We regularly review ways to keep the centre safe and comfortable.”
Sam Hodkin, Head of Security at Motorpoint Arena, added:
“The safety of visitors at our venue is paramount. We will continue working closely with Nottinghamshire Police to deter crime at Motorpoint Arena Nottingham.”
Both venues also support other campaigns, like Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWAG), showing their ongoing commitment to community safety.
Crime prevention materials remind the public to “keep your stuff safe, don’t give anyone the opportunity,” reinforcing vigilance across Nottingham’s city centre.
