All Eyes on the Gardens as Officers Take Action

You may have noticed a significant police presence and a bit of a commotion in Piccadilly Gardens earlier today. This followed proactive work by the Piccadilly Gardens Neighbourhood Policing Team, which also attracted attention from local media and a number of self-styled “citizen journalists” observing officers as they carried out their duties.

During patrols in the gardens, PC Zamecnik and PC Simm, supported by PC Cross and PC Lomax, identified two men suspected of involvement in drug-related offences. As officers moved in, one of the individuals attempted to make off, but following a short foot pursuit he was quickly detained by the ever-athletic PC Zamecnik.

A struggle ensued during the arrests, which understandably drew a crowd and contributed to the heightened activity seen in the area. Officers maintained control of the situation and safely detained both individuals.

One of the men has since been remanded and will appear before court on the morning of 28 April. The second has been released on bail to attend court in August, with conditions in place preventing him from returning to Piccadilly Gardens.

Sergeant Jon Wyatt said: “You may have seen the activity in the gardens today, and I want to reassure the public that this was the result of proactive policing. Our neighbourhood team is out every day targeting those involved in crime and anti-social behaviour. While incidents like this can draw attention, they show our officers taking positive action to keep the area safe. We will continue to be visible, engage with the community, and take robust action where necessary.”

This incident highlights the ongoing proactive work being carried out daily by neighbourhood officers to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, ensuring the gardens remain a safe and welcoming space for everyone.