Officers swiftly arrested a suspect after two separates incidents of shop staff being threatened and goods being stolen on Sunday afternoon.
It was reported a man entered a store in Southchurch Drive in Clifton and was acting suspiciously, Nottinghamshire Police said.
It’s alleged that a female staff member was verbally abused and subjected to racist abuse and threats were made towards her and a colleague before the man left, the added.
A further report was received that another employee at a store in Green Lane was threatened by a man who then left with items without paying.
Following enquiries a 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of theft and racially-aggravated public order. After further checks, he was additionally arrested on suspicion of theft in relation to reports of an incident in West Bridgford on 9 January.
Chief Inspector Chris Pearson, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “It’s appalling for shop workers to be threatened and subjected to racial abuse when they are just doing their jobs and serving their community.
“There is no place for hate crime or threatening behaviour in our communities.
"The force takes hate crime in all its forms very seriously and will always look to take appropriate and proportionate action against those found to committed offences. This kind of behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
“The Clifton police team support local businesses and will continue to work closely together with them to drive down crime.”
Pearson added that the local officers have worked relentlessly to reduce shoplifting offence including carrying out proactive patrols, as well as giving support and advice to local businesses.
“I hope our ongoing joint work reassures people that this sort of upsetting criminal activity will not be tolerated and we will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder to prevent and tackle crime,” he said.
