The City Protection Officers (CPOs) continue to make a tangible impact across the community, and the March 2025 report reflects their dedication to safety, visibility, and community engagement.
During March, the CPO team responded to:
760 Store Visits – Supporting businesses with security and crime prevention.
437 Welfare Checks – Assisting vulnerable individuals, including the homeless community.
286 Street Drinker Interventions – Addressing public drinking in PSPO areas.
215 Street Begging Incidents – Managing aggressive panhandling while providing support.
26 Street Rubbish Reports – Keeping public areas clean and safe.
123 Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Cases – Reducing disturbances and ensuring public order.
62 Shoplifting Cases – Recovering stolen goods and supporting retail security.
7 Yellow Cards Issued – Warning individuals about unacceptable behaviour.
The team successfully recovered £1,391.46 worth of stolen goods, demonstrating their role in crime deterrence and retail security.
City Protection Officers – March 2025 Highlights
👮♂️ Public Safety & Anti-Social Behaviour
• Multiple interventions in street fights and public disturbances (over 10 incidents involving street drinkers, young males, and aggressive individuals).
• Assisted in over 12 incidents of aggressive or inappropriate public behaviour, including urination in public, racial abuse, and harassment.
• Welfare checks conducted regularly on rough sleepers and vulnerable individuals; some resulted in ambulance assistance.
• Public reassurance & deterrence patrols across hotspot areas including The Cross, Southgate Street, and Kings Square.
🛍️ Retail & Shoplifting Prevention
• Over 25 shoplifting incidents were prevented or responded to with stolen goods recovered and returned.
• £1,391.46 worth of stolen items recovered.
• Frequent collaboration with store security, loss prevention officers, and CCTV teams.
• Offenders were often yellow carded, added to DISC, and referred to police.
🏥 Welfare & Medical Assistance
• Assisted elderly and vulnerable persons including falls, drunkenness, and known individuals in poor health.
• Ambulances called for serious incidents, including:
– CPO injury due to uneven pavement (dislocated knee)
– Assault victims
– Individuals with chest infections or under the influence
• Partner agencies (City Mission, P3, Nelson Trust) involved for ongoing support.
🚓 Police Collaboration
• Several wanted individuals located and picked up by police.
• Ongoing support in:
– Arrests
– Statement collection
– Incident investigations (Bearlands Police Station)
• Assisted in OP Ash operations, bike theft incidents, and transport hub disturbances.
🧹 Homeless Outreach & Community Engagement
• Multiple street link referrals and support signposting provided for new and known rough sleepers.
• Ongoing effort to provide:
– Food location details
– Contact numbers for agencies
– Support for accommodation deadlines (e.g., Nelson Trust)
💬 Meetings & Strategic Work
• Participated in:
– Weekly “Huddle” meetings with BID, City Safe, Services, Police, and Council.
– Safer Streets meeting at North Warehouse.
– Rough sleeper strategy meeting with council and outreach teams.
• Elite Security Director conducted briefings and accompanied patrols twice this month.
