City Council supports multi-agency ‘week of action’ across town centres in Stoke-on-Trent.

Teams from Stoke-on-Trent City Council joined Staffordshire Police and Staffordshire Fire for a week-long, multi-agency ‘week of action’ across town centres in Stoke-on-Trent.

 

City Council supports multi-agency ‘week of action’ across town centres in Stoke-on-Trent.

 

Teams from Stoke-on-Trent City Council joined Staffordshire Police and Staffordshire Fire for a week-long, multi-agency ‘week of action’ across town centres in Stoke-on-Trent.

The coordinated partnership approach saw teams from Community Development, Community Drug and Alcohol Services, the Vulnerable Women’s Team and Rough Sleepers Team, targeting identified locations with increased crime and anti-social behaviour, to provide reassurance and engagement with local businesses, and the public and to offer support to those individuals who are presenting with substance misuse, mental health and homelessness needs.

The number of people supported off the streets by the Rough Sleeper Team, as counted up until the end of August, is 104. The last annual estimate for November, which is nationally reported, identified 21 rough sleepers, which is down from 28 the previous year.

Part of the week was also dedicated to cleaning up and investigating areas impacted by fly-tipping and identifying empty buildings and land that are insecure or unsafe, follow up work will then be continued with the owner. The Environmental Crime Team served two notices on landlords in Stoke, requiring areas to be cleared of rubbish and secured.

Engagement opportunities like the ‘week of action’ also give teams the chance to assess parking and road conditions. Across the week, over 110 Penalty Charge Notices were issued to dangerously parked vehicles, and over 100 vehicle owners were moved advised to move on to safer parking areas. Civil Enforcement Officers visited local schools where they have particular issues with dangerous parking, to help advise on safer parking.

 

Three main issues were highlighted in the City Centre, including delivery drivers causing parking issues in Parliament Square and Percy Street, vehicles obstructing the gated passageway and double yellow lines, between Foundry Street and Stafford Street and the pedestrian zone at the top of Piccadilly with Police looking to take action at key times.

Services including the NHS, CDAS and the Vulnerable Women’s Team supported 25 people overall between Stoke and Longton.

Councillor Abi Brown, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, joined Staffordshire Police and the Rough Sleeper Team for an early morning walk around Stoke-on-Trent on Tuesday morning, said: “We have really strong relationships with Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire Fire and support organisations across the city, which helps to make these regular events such a success.”

“The Rough Sleepers Team is a project close to my heart and being able to regularly come and see first-hand the amazing work they do, and the support on offer for people affected by homelessness is a huge step in decreasing the number of homeless people within Stoke-on-Trent. It really is a city-wide effort.”

“The Week of Action is also an opportunity for teams to take stock of council assets, and to review illegal parking hot-spots.”

“More presence from services helps to make our city safe, and help our residents feel safe. Teams are out daily assessing town centres, supporting rough sleepers, providing medical support to those who need it, as well as teams taking action against fly-tippers and anti-social behaviour.”

 

Chief Superintendent Colin Mattinson, Local Policing Commander for Stoke-on-Trent, said: “We’ve had a successful and busy week working with partners to solve the issues that really matter to local communities.

 

“There have been some really positive results and it’s been a great opportunity for us to collectively focus our efforts on each area across the city with lots of community engagement. However, this action is not a one-off and the hard work continues beyond this week for us.

“The multi-agency approach taken to help homeless people in the area is really positive and it’s important the wider community are aware of the organisations providing help, to mitigate the impact on homeless people themselves as well as the wider community.”

“We are committed to addressing residents’ concerns and ensuring that Stoke-on-Trent is a safe and a great place for people to live, work and visit.”

Kelly Rafferty, Northern Prevent Delivery Lead at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We have been working with partners this week to raise awareness of fire safety procedures with businesses and residents of Stoke-on-Trent.

“This included identifying void and derelict properties within the area and making recommendations for the securing of these buildings.

“We have also engaged with local businesses to advise on any fire risks that we identified and provided relevant fire safety information.”

Throughout the week, teams have visited the city centre, Stoke, Tunstall, Burslem and Longton town centres, with support from the Vulnerable Women’s Team, Changing Futures and the NHS, who have been present to support anyone requiring it.

 

Please contact the Rough Sleepers Outreach Team, if you see anyone sleeping rough in the city on, 0800 970 2304.

Please contact Drug and Alcohol Services on – 01782 283113.

For fly-tipping, please report to – Environmental Crime on 01782 234234 or email environmental.crime@stoke.gov.uk