Police: New Operation Reacher scheme to be rolled out across Nottinghamshire

A new scheme from Nottinghamshire Police to tackle drug dealing and weapon-enabled violence is being rolled out across the county following successful trials.
By John Smith
Published 19th May 2020, 12:20 BST
Updated 20th May 2020, 16:21 BST
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Plans to roll-out the successful Operation Reacher model are pressing ahead, with the new teams expected to be in place later this year.

The operation, which started life in the Bestwood area in April 2018, has seen proactive policing tactics and community engagement generate the intelligence needed to drive-out serious organised crime groups from the area.

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It has already been successful with millions of pounds of drugs, hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of cash and hundreds of illegal vehicles taken off the county’s streets, as well as securing a number of significant convictions.

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Marcus Oldroyd (left), Paddy Tipping and Chf Supt Gerard Milano with money seized during Operation ReacherMarcus Oldroyd (left), Paddy Tipping and Chf Supt Gerard Milano with money seized during Operation Reacher
Marcus Oldroyd (left), Paddy Tipping and Chf Supt Gerard Milano with money seized during Operation Reacher

Plans were announced last year to extend the operation across the county before the end of 2020, with each of the new teams due to be in place within each of the force’s 12 neighbourhood policing areas by the autumn.

The first team based outside of Bestwood has been in place in Gedling since the end of January.

And it has already made an impact on reducing crime and antisocial behaviour in the area, as well as seizing around £18,000 in suspected criminal money and arresting or interviewing 45 suspects since its introduction.

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The scheme is now due to be extended to each of the five neighbourhood policing teams working in the Nottingham city area and the county teams in Ashfield, Broxtowe, Bassetlaw, Mansfield, Newark & Sherwood and Rushcliffe areas.

Work is now underway to recruit a further 150 officers to be part of these teams with the large proportion starting work this year .

Paddy Tipping, police and crime commissioner for Nottinghamshire, said: “People tell me they want to see a more proactive and visible presence on our streets and that is something that the Chief Constable and I are committed to continuing to bring to every corner of our county.

“The investment that has been made in the recruitment of 300 new officers over the past two years means we can now direct many of those new officers into extending the successful Reacher model to help keep our communities safe.”