Joint initiative of police and retailers tackles shoplifting in Clifton

A joint effort by a neighbourhood policing team and local shops has seen shoplifting falling sharply in a Nottingham district.

The Clifton neighbourhood policing team has teamed up with retailers to tackle the rise in thefts in the area following the opening of big-name stores such as Co-Op, Heron, Iceland, Boots, Morrisons, B&M, Wilkos and Lidl.

As part of the Operation Uncolt, officers worked closely with local shops to gather a huge dossier of evidence against a number of prolific shoplifters, leading to significant prison sentences for all of them.

Consequently, shoplifting fell 34 per cent between April and July this year when compared to the same period in 2020.

“Some big stores have come into the area and it’s boosted the economy. However it’s also provide more opportunities for shoplifters to take advantage of,” Sergeant Nigel Bradley said.

“Eighteen months ago it had become quite a significant problem and so we launched Operation Uncolt. That saw us implement a multi-pronged approach to shoplifting which included engaging with shopkeepers and encouraging them to report shop thefts.”

The initiative ensured that every offence was reported and CCTV made available.

“After collating as much evidence as we could, we found that a lot of offences were being committed by the same people and these suspects were arrested. When it came to the courts, each offender received a longer sentence because of the large number of offences we were able to prove. These sentences then acted as a deterrent to other shoplifters,” Sgt Bradley added.

Aaron Kelly was among the area’s most prolific shoplifters. The 31-year-old, of no fixed address, was jailed for 26 weeks in December following his conviction of 41 crimes which included stealing gift sets, food and makeup.

Sasha Irwin, of Porter Close, Clifton, was also jailed after admitting a string of shoplifting offences. She received a six-week jail sentence.

“These convictions were the result of excellent and persistent work by our local officers,” Neighbourhood Inspector Karl Thomas said. “A number of shops in Clifton were being continually targeted and their co-operation have been invaluable in collecting the evidence.”