‘We know who these individuals are and there are no excuses – there is no place to hide in the city centre’
Youths have been spotted waving from a top floor window at the former Debenhams building(Image: Joseph Raynor/Nottingham Post)
People who sneak into the abandoned Nottingham Debenhams building will be arrested, one of the city centre’s top police officers has said.
Nottinghamshire Police’s City Superintendent Chris Pearson says kids breaking into the former discount store in Old Market Square will now be committing a criminal offence, after police secured a closure order.
The order, granted by Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning (December 5), will initially last for three months and is intended to deter groups from entering the building.
Breaching the order is a criminal offence and can lead to imprisonment and/or a fine.
Speaking to Nottinghamshire Live about increased patrols in the city centre, City Superintendent Chris Pearson says the court order comes as part of a return to “good old-fashioned policing”.
The crackdown on youth crime follows an incident in the square on Sunday, November 16, when youngsters were seen wielding machetes in full view of families at the Winter Wonderland Christmas market.
It also follows a string of recent incidents involving groups of youths climbing onto the disused Debenhams building.
Since July, trespassers under the guise of ‘urban explorers’ have been spotted numerous times entering the prominent building – despite “stringent” 24/7 security.
“Debenhams has been a particular challenge for us – anybody on those premises will be arrested,” Supt Pearson said.
“They will be committing an offence against the courts, and that is incredibly serious.
“Inevitably, those types of buildings become an attraction for crime and anti-social behaviour, and the Debenhams building is right in the middle of where we’ve had some of the difficulties over the last few weeks.”
Patrols have increased in Nottingham city centre(Image: Rucsandra Moldoveanu)
Increased patrols in the city centre – and in particular the square – have seen 92 people arrested for offences including drug dealing, robbery, carrying a bladed article, breach of bail, and recall to prison.
As of Friday (December 5), 19 people have also been banned from entering the city centre over the festive period as part of their bail conditions.
As part of a crackdown on youth crime, the force is also looking at closing off certain areas around the city centre to prevent anti-social behaviour and groups of youngsters congregating.
“We know who these individuals are and there are no excuses – there is no place to hide in the city centre,” Supt Pearson added.
“The council is looking at preventing individuals from congregating on the steps of the Council House, where we have seen some drug dealing taking place.
“But also good old-fashioned policing – having our officers on the ground is the first line of defence for the city and our first line of attacking these individuals and issues head-on.
“We will not be standing these resources down, and we are absolutely committed to turning the city centre into the safest, most enjoyable and welcoming place that we possibly can.
“This is not a policing issue alone – it’s an issue for everybody, quite frankly, who is attached to or invested in the city centre”.
Seven suspects, the youngest of whom is 14 years old, have so far been arrested on suspicion of various offences related to the incident at Old Market Square.
Two have been released on police bail with stringent conditions, including not to enter the city centre, while investigations continue.
