Nine new Community Protection and Safer City officers have been deployed across Nottingham following a spate of trouble.
Nottingham City Council’s leadership pledged to make the city safer by reinvesting in its Community Protection Officers (CPOs), which have been rebranded from their previous Neighbourhood Safety Officer (NSO) name.
They will work alongside additional Safer City officers, often referred to as ‘Red Jackets’ due to their uniforms, who are deployed by It’s in Nottingham, an organisation that seeks to promote and make the city safer.
CPO numbers have now been increased to a total of 45, with finances having since improved following the council’s declaration of effective bankruptcy in 2023.
They play a role in supporting residents and businesses, providing a visible presence in communities, and addressing problems such as anti-social behaviour, street drinking, nuisance behaviour, and environmental crime.
In addition to the CPOs, four new Red Jackets are now out on patrol as well.
Councillor Matt Shannon, Executive Member for Community Protection, Neighbourhoods and Equalities, said: “Our top priority is making sure that everyone feels safe in Nottingham, whether they live here, work here, or are visiting.
“Today’s announcement is part of our continuing investment in community safety. These additional officers will provide a visible presence, engage with communities, and tackle anti-social behaviour and other issues that affect people’s quality of life.”
However, Green Party councillor Shuguftah Quddoos said the reinvestment does not quite “cut it” after their numbers were decimated under previous budget rounds.
“My argument is that we need more community development workers,” she said.
“We need them embedded in the community, building community cohesion.
“We used to have a team of 16 community development workers. Now we have three. The grassroots within our city are so divided.
“This does not take us back to 2024 levels. If [the council] is serious about it, this does not cut it.”
The investment comes after Nottinghamshire Police launched Operation Reclaim, which could leave parents facing significant court fines if they fail to control their children as part of a crackdown on youth anti-social behaviour.
The force launched what it described as a “major operation” due to mounting concerns about anti-social behaviour in the city centre, including the harassment and intimidation of retail staff, and breaking into buildings such as the Guildhall and Debenhams sites.
In November, two groups of youths carrying machetes confronted one another in Old Market Square during the Winter Wonderland Christmas market.
By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter