Cracking down on bike theft in university campuses and catching offenders in the act is the focus of a new policing operation.
Dedicated university policing officers and the city central neighbourhood policing team teamed up in the University of Nottingham’s Jubilee Campus on Friday (6 March) following reports of bike thefts – primarily targeting the city’s student population.
Operation Windrunner deployed plain-clothes officers to the area, travelling on foot, on cycles, and in unmarked cars.
Uniformed officers were also close-by in a marked vehicle, ready to react to any potential nuisance.
Meanwhile, the University of Nottingham’s policing team were based with the campus’ security team in their control room, keeping an eye out for any potential offenders in and around hot spot areas through CCTV.
They then reported this to police on the ground, who were ready to disrupt and – if needed – detain suspects.
Although no arrests were made on this occasion, intelligence was gained for further operations that will be carried out with the aim to catch thieves in the act.
PC Lewis Bullmore, of the City Central neighbourhood policing team, said:
“Through this operation, we are sending out a clear message to offenders that we’re out there and will clamp down on any illegal activity.
“Some push bikes can cost students a considerable amount of money, and no member of the community should be subjected to the theft of items.
“By using a range of tactics, we’re making sure we catch potential offenders off-guard with a police presence when and where they least expect it.
“We have a huge population of students that call Nottingham their home, and we hope this work demonstrates how we are listening and responding to their concerns.”
The role of the university policing team is to increase safety, reduce crime, and build trust between students, universities, and the police.
The University of Nottingham policing team can be found based at Lenton Hurst, University Park campus.
PC Nick Lewis, of the University of Nottingham’s policing team, said:
“We’re committed to making sure every student feels safe, supported, and confident while living and studying in our community.
“Our role isn’t just about policing—it’s about listening and working alongside young people to help them thrive, both on and off campus.
“No one should ever be a victim of bike theft but taking a few simple precautions can really help protect your belongings.
“We always recommend using a strong D lock, which secures both the frame and wheels, and choosing well lit, busy areas or designated racks.
“Registering your bike with the National Bike Registration Database also helps us trace your bike back to you if it’s stolen.
“If your bike is stolen or you have any concerns about crime in your area, we’d always encourage you to report it to us.”
