Additional proactive patrols are making a significant impact in areas of Cleveland most affected by antisocial behaviour (ASB).
Cleveland was one of the first places in England and Wales to secure Home Office funding to run additional patrols to clamp down on ASB in identified hotspots.
They’ve been running in Middlesbrough and Stockton since last August with patrols starting in Hartlepool in October. Patrols have been running in Redcar and Cleveland since December.
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has worked in partnership with Cleveland’s four councils to fund highly visible, uniformed patrols conducted by civil enforcement officers or street wardens.
Today (Thursday 15 February 2024), the Home Office has announced that the pilot will now be rolled out nation-wide, with at least £1m being invested in each police force area.
In Cleveland – hotspot areas are starting to see a major downturn in incidents of ASB over the past two years.
This has been most marked in targeted areas within Hemlington, in Middlesbrough, and Norton and Stockton Central, in Stockton-on-Tees.
In parts of Hemlington, ASB has fallen by 71% compared to figures for 2021.
In Central Norton, ASB has fallen by 68% in places over the past two years. That figure is 56% for parts of central Stockton.
In total, 11 of Cleveland’s 19 hotspots saw a marked decrease in the amount of ASB in the period July to December 2023 compared to the same months during the previous two years.
Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Steve Turner said: “Through my ongoing engagement with Cleveland’s residents, I know ASB remains the issue of highest priority.
“It blights lives, ruins public spaces and significantly affects community relations.
“I’m so encouraged by the early results of this pilot scheme, which is showing clear reductions in antisocial incidents in almost all of the 19 areas – just six months in.
PCC Steve Turner
“It’s the right step to extend the programme nationally. Here in Cleveland, I’m confident the project will mature and bring even greater results for affected communities.”
Patrols have been instrumental in reporting intelligence to the police and helping to clamp down on ASB incidents via enforcement activities.
Enforcement activity has included issuing ASB warning letters and enforcing Public Space Protection Orders in certain areas.
From July to December 2023, there were a total of 1,233 patrols across Cleveland.
Cleveland was one of just 10 pilot areas in England and Wales, in which the Home Office funded patrols to deter offenders and provide re-assurance for communities.
Hotspot areas have been identified using data from the police, fire brigade and local authorities. There are a total of 19 micro-sites – some spanning just a few streets – across 15 council wards in Cleveland.