Neighbourhood policing teams have led a successful operation in an attempt to reduce the number of mobility scooters being stolen.
Officers spent the day at Market Place in Bulwell, on Saturday 22 January, marking 83 mobility scooters and 15 bikes as part of a joint partnership effort alongside the Nottinghamshire City Council.
Following a recent spate of thefts of mobility scooters in the Bulwell area, officers carried out the event as part of January’s Neighbourhood Policing week of action from 17 January to 23 January.
Officers from Bulwell and council representatives spent eight hours out in the town marking both mobility scooters and bikes in an effort to deter criminals and also get scooters back to victims.
Sergeant Mark Marriott, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “After noticing a spike in recent thefts of mobility scooters we decided to act to try and deter criminals from stealing the scooters and also making it so much easier to reunite the scooters with their original owners if they are stolen.
“A mobility scooter is often the only way someone can remain active, get out of the house, go about their everyday life and socialise with friends and family.
“They are vital and often a lifeline for people who have no other way of walking great distances and going about their daily routine.
“We planned the event alongside the council and couldn’t believe how well received it was and even ended up with queues forming.
“It is so important for us as officers to keep our communities safe and to listen to residents concerns and act on them.
“The event had an incredible response, so much so we are planning a further one in the future months to mark even more mobility scooters and bikes.
“Events like this are vital not only, in this case, to mark the scooters and bikes but also to chat and meet plenty of locals and really listen to any problems they have in the area.
“Being an officer is about more than arresting people and conducting warrants, it’s so important that people within the community feel we listen and take action on any concerns – and this is a great way to show that.
“Being part of the Neighbourhood Policing Team is all about listening to the community’s concerns and acting on them and I hope that this operation shows just how dedicated the officers are in Bulwell and surrounding areas in helping our communities and residents.”
The operation comes as Nottinghamshire Police continues to invest in neighbourhood policing and shine a light on the fantastic work being done by officers and volunteers to keep communities safe and tackle issues that matter most to members of the public.
