Wanted suspects caught by plain-clothed officers during Mansfield operation
Five wanted suspects were arrested and charged as plain-clothed officers joined a high-visibility day of action in Mansfield town centre.
Officers from the Mansfield Neighbourhood Team, supported by staff from the district council and local charities, saturated the town centre on Friday, October 9.
The regular Operation Amberstag initiative is designed to address key problems faced by residents and retailers throughout the day and night.
Uniformed officers began the day by working with charity partners to engage with and move along rough sleepers blocking or disrupting businesses.
Plain-clothed colleagues then positioned themselves at key locations, on the lookout for wanted criminals or those in the process of committing offences.
Team members were also rigorous in their enforcement of the existing Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), prohibiting drinking and cycling in the town centre.
During the operation, three men were detained by plain-clothed officers in connection with a total of nine unsolved shop thefts.
Another man was detained for breaching his bail conditions, while a woman was detained on suspicion of possessing Class A drugs and theft.
Others were ordered to leave the town centre immediately for disruptive and antisocial behaviour.
As day turned to evening, the team, supported by licensing colleagues, carried out checks on venues serving and selling alcohol, as well as taxi drivers.
PC Kevin Marshall, of the town centre policing team, said: "We've been running this operation for several years now and it's a great way of bringing together all the agencies working to make the town centre a safe and welcoming place to visit.
"That includes the district council, the BID and charities, all working with us to help people where needed, or challenge them when that's appropriate.
"While the use of plain-clothed officers is a particularly effective tactic in bringing in people who are wanted, having so many uniformed officers present is also a very effective way of preventing offences that may otherwise have occurred.
"Ultimately, this is about making the town centre a better place for all of us."