Teams from Stoke-on-Trent City Council joined Staffordshire Police and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue for a week-long, multi-agency ‘week of action’ across town centres in Stoke-on-Trent last week.
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 to local businesses and the public, and offer support to individuals who are presenting with substance misuse, mental health and homelessness needs.
Part of the week was also dedicated to cleaning up and investigating areas impacted by fly-tipping, including an area off North Street, in Stoke, which has been plagued by fly-tippers and anti-social behaviour for a number of years. The Environmental Crime Team also cleared a patch of land on Hartshill Road.
Work also took place to identify empty buildings and land that are insecure or unsafe with follow up work continuing with the owner.
Engagement opportunities like the ‘week of action’ also give teams the chance to assess parking and road conditions.
Across the week, over 55 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) were issued at traffic and parking hotspots. Civil Enforcement Officers visited local schools where they have particular issues with dangerous parking, to help advise on safer parking.
Councillor Abi Brown, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, joined colleagues in Stoke on Thursday afternoon.
Cllr Brown 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 ‘week of action’ is also an opportunity for teams to take stock of council assets and review illegal parking hotspots.
“More presence from services helps to make our city safe and help our residents and business owners feel safe. Teams are out daily assessing town centres, supporting rough sleepers and providing medical support to those who need it as well as teams taking action against fly-tippers and anti-social behaviour.”
Inspector Hayley Eaton, from Staffordshire Police, said: “We’ve achieved a number of positive results over the ‘week of action’ through our partnership working to solve local priorities.
“The multi-agency approach taken to tackle issues such as fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour and negligent parking will continue beyond this week to ensure that residents and businesses’ concerns are robustly dealt with.
“We’ve also helped to co-ordinate the right support to help homeless people in the area in order to mitigate the impact on the homeless community themselves as well as local residents and businesses in Stoke-on-Trent.
“We are committed to addressing community concerns and ensuring that Stoke-on-Trent is a safe and a great place for people to live, work and visit.”
Station manager Darren Jackson, from 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.”
If you are concerned about anyone sleeping rough, contact the Outreach Team on 0800 970 2304 or via the Streetlink website.
Fly-tipping issues can be reported to Environmental Crime on 01782 234234 or via email at environmental.crime@stoke.gov.uk and the Drug and Alcohol Service can be contacted on 01782 283113.
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