Theft of Motor Vehicles:
You said: Theft of motor vehicles primarily motorised pedal cycles, mopeds and motorbikes is an issue across the beat. This has also been highlighted as a priority across the whole policing area and force wide.

What we are going to do: We will complete patrols in public car parks and key locations where mopeds/motorbikes are regularly parked. We will liaise with business owners, community groups and social media to raise awareness and knowledge around security. We will hold beat events to be more accessible to your concerns or issues. The team will assist with ongoing investigations from all teams to help identify offenders and bring them to justice.

July Update:
We’re pleased to report a significant reduction in motor vehicle theft across the beat this month. Early in July, several prolific offenders were apprehended and successfully sentenced in court, contributing to this positive trend.

The beat team, supported by our response colleagues, has increased visibility across all areas of the Neighbourhood Policing Area (NPA), helping to deter and prevent further offences. Officers have also shared practical security advice through social media and community engagements, reminding the public of simple yet effective steps they can take to protect themselves and their property.

August update:
This month, we’re pleased to report that theft of motor vehicles continues to decline across our beat, with only a handful of incidents reported. However, we’ve seen a slight rise in theft from motor vehicles, particularly in large public car parks such as St Nicholas Circle NCP and Newarke Street.
One notable incident involved a red moped arriving near the DMU campus, where suspects attempted to steal a motorbike—breaking the lock in under five seconds. Thankfully, the bike wasn’t taken, but this serves as a strong reminder to invest in heavy-duty security locks, especially for motorcycles.

Our beat team has maintained a visible presence in and around these car parks, not only to deter criminal activity but also to identify individuals loitering with intent. In collaboration with hospital security, our LRI officer has helped pinpoint offenders seen attempting to access vehicles near the hospital grounds. So far, two males have been identified and arrested in connection with these offences.

Anti-social Behaviour:
You said: Anti-social behaviour has increased around the beat, specifically involving juveniles and open spaces.

What we are going to do: We will increase patrols in ASB hotspots as well as using data to pick out the appropriate times to be there. We will liaise with partner agencies and use an incremental approach to those causing the most harm. Police engagements will be arranged to increase awareness and be in a position to offer support to those being affected.

We are continuing this priority into the next quarter and the summer months due to continuing reports and the warmer weather coming in.

July Update:
Reports of anti-social behaviour continue to be received across the beat, including incidents involving drug use, loud music, and public disturbances. The beat team has been working closely with the local council to identify those responsible, using a robust and incremental approach to reduce the volume of reports.

Both PCSOs and PCs have issued ASB warning letters to individuals involved. One notable case involved reports of drug use and related paraphernalia at Pelham Way. Officers engaged with residents to gather further information, and a dedicated engagement session has been scheduled to ensure the team is accessible and able to respond promptly to any concerns.

Another area of focus is Mill Lane, near Western Boulevard, where our DMU officer has been conducting enquiries to identify offenders and investigate any criminal activity. These efforts have already led to arrests and continue to support our commitment to tackling ASB effectively.

August update:
Our beat team has been working tirelessly to address anti-social behaviour (ASB) affecting our community, particularly around a local school that had been targeted by temporary residents. After issuing multiple warning letters and working closely with partner agencies, we successfully expedited their re-housing. The school and surrounding neighbours have been kept informed throughout and are pleased with the swift and effective outcome.

We responded to concerns about street lifestyle individuals causing disruption on Havelock Street, near the new flats and hospital grounds. Reports included abusive shouting, littering, and sleeping in maintained flower beds. Through targeted patrols and direct engagement, we’ve seen a noticeable reduction in incidents, helping restore peace to the area.

Castle Gardens remains a hotspot for drug-related activity, with groups frequently using the canal towpath to access the location. Building on last month’s efforts, our DMU officer has been actively disrupting this behaviour. The beat team has conducted stop searches and made arrests for drug possession and outstanding offences, sending a clear message that this kind of activity will not be tolerated.

Safer Streets Summer:
You said: Retail and street crime is an ongoing issue in your area as well as the surrounding areas.

What we are going to do: We will take part in the national campaign of Safer Streets Summer. This will increase visibility of officers, increase engagements with local businesses and community groups and help tackle issues relating to retail and street crime by having a team dedicated to it. This will also include student safety when the university students start their academic year and take part in freshers weeks.

July Update:
This month, the beat team actively participated in the national Safer Streets Summer campaign. Our efforts included a series of public engagements at key locations across the city:

Nelson Mandela Park – Hosted bike registration events to promote cycle security.
Hotel Voco – Engaged with guests and local businesses that host functions at the venue.
St Mary’s De Castro Church – Spoke with visitors to raise awareness and offer support.
In addition to these events, all beat team members conducted regular patrols in hotspot areas, including the city centre and the Narborough Road corridor. These patrols are part of our commitment to tackling retail crime, in line with national priorities.

Notably, one of our officers successfully identified over 18 suspects through detailed CCTV enquiries, leading to multiple arrests and a significant impact on local crime prevention.

August update:
As part of the ongoing Safer Streets Summer campaign, the Riverside beat team has been out in force, conducting high-visibility patrols not just in our local area, but across key hotspots throughout the city centre. These patrols are strategically timed using crime data to maximise impact, focusing on areas affected by street and retail crime.

A major highlight of this initiative has been our involvement in Operation Pedalfast, which targets the illegal use of e-scooters and e-bikes. This operation is expected to expand into the Riverside area soon—so keep an eye out for updates as we continue to crack down on unsafe and unlawful riding.
In addition to patrols, we’re working hard behind the scenes to identify and manage repeat retail offenders. This includes pursuing Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) to help prevent further offences and protect local businesses.