Nottinghamshire Knife Crime Team Hits Back at Crooks
Every day, Nottinghamshire Police’s knife crime squad deals with drug busts, stolen goods, and banned drivers. Seizing weapons is their top priority – last year alone, they confiscated 79 knives and offensive weapons from the streets.
Intelligence-Led Patrols Nab More Than Knives
Proactive patrols targeting suspected knife carriers don’t just stop crime before it happens. They often reveal other offences too.
Take 19 January 2023: minutes after starting a late shift in Mansfield, officers spotted a van driven by a known crook. Using real-time intel on a squad car computer, they found out the driver was disqualified. Backup units quickly stopped the van.
A search uncovered around a dozen bikes, including one reported stolen. That bike was returned to its rightful owner, and the driver was arrested on suspicion of theft, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance.
Big Wins Against Drugs and More
Nottinghamshire’s knife crime teams regularly uncover hidden criminal activity, including drug offences. Last year’s patrols led to 138 drug seizures and 191 arrests.
Nearly 500 stop-and-searches were carried out in 2022 alone, showing the force’s commitment to proactive policing.
Targeting Organised Crime to Keep Communities Safe
Sergeant Jonny Groves, who leads the county unit, said:
“Our main focus is knife crime and weapon-enabled offences, but that often leads us to uncover other crimes. Many who carry knives are tied to organised crime and the drugs trade, so targeting them helps hit wider criminal networks.
“Stopping and searching these suspects lets us stay one step ahead and intercept potential knife crimes before they happen.
“I’m proud of the work my team does every day. Our patrols and tactics play a big role in keeping Nottinghamshire safer to live in.”
