Nottinghamshire Police made arrests and stopped and searched 11 people during an operation on Saturday aimed at tackling drugs and associated violence.
A number of officers patrolled the streets of the city, aided by passive drug detection dogs, carried out stop and search activity, and engaged with people enjoying a night out during Operation Guardian.
PDs Oakley and Dougie were used to sniff out people who may be carrying or have come into contact with drugs as they patrolled the city’s streets.
No weapons were seized, however three men found in possession of cocaine, and a fourth man who had a quantity of cannabis, were issued dispersal notices to leave the city centre.
Officers arrested two people for being drunk and disorderly, and a male from Derbyshire, wanted for theft of a motorcycle, was also arrested.
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In addition, graffiti-related items were seized from a 14-year-old boy, who was also dispersed from the city centre.
Operation Guardian is now well established in the city centre and across other parts of Nottinghamshire and is highly successful in tackling drugs and reducing violence which is often associated with drug use and dealing in the nighttime economy.
Chief Inspector Kylie Davies, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Operation Guardian is a regular feature in the city centre and across the force.
“Proactive operations like this not only help keep people safe but also reassure the public that Nottinghamshire Police takes positive action to prevent crime from happening in the first place.
“Our activity on Saturday night was positively received by members of the public who we engaged with and who were pleased to see us taking positive action to keep them safe.
“It was a successful night with the recovery of drugs and stop and searches carried out, as well as the positive engagement with people visiting and enjoying themselves in the city.”
Extra high-visibility foot patrols were carried out in the city night-time economy on Saturday, with some officers able to work overtime due to funding obtained through the Hotspot Action Fund (HAF) – a Home Office-funded initiative aimed at tackling serious violence, knife crime, and antisocial behaviour (ASB) in the areas most affected across Nottinghamshire.
The fund supports a blend of high-visibility patrols and problem-oriented policing, including providing funds for crime prevention initiatives and resources to help tackle the root causes of crime and drive down violence.
As well as Operation Guardian, police have also been actively raising public awareness of the dangers of consuming alcohol and cocaine together, as well as spiking, during targeted Operation Cognition patrols and engagement, both in the city and county.
Officers have also been on hand to offer any healthcare support as appropriate.
When alcohol and cocaine are mixed it causes a toxic psychoactive substance to form in the body, known as cocaethylene, which can increase impulsive, violent, and aggressive behaviour.
It can also increase the risk of fatal heart attacks, strokes, and seizures.
The risks and devastating consequences of drink and drug driving also continue to be highlighted by officers patrolling in the city and county over the festive period.
