A significant new strategy which will tackle crime, disorder, anti-social behaviour and substance misuse in the city is set to be approved by cabinet next week.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has drawn up proposals for the Stoke-on-Trent Community Safety Strategy 2024-2027 which aims to “create a safer, stronger city” by reducing crime, disorder, anti-social behaviour and substance misuse.
The strategy has been developed following a detailed local assessment of crime, disorder and ASB in the city. The council also undertook an extensive community consultation over the summer which engaged with over 750 residents, plus hundreds of school children, so that the plans respond to their needs and wishes.
In developing this strategy Stoke-on-Trent City Council has worked with the Community Safety Partnership Board which is a local partnership made up of agencies including the council, the police and fire services, probation services and health and voluntary sectors.
The Community Safety Strategy focuses on four strategic priorities for the city, which the results of the consultation overwhelmingly supported. They are:
- Anti-Social Behaviour
- Serious Violence, Public Space Violence and (non-domestic) Violence Against Women and Girls
- Modern Slavery
- Community Cohesion
Councillor David Williams, cabinet member for community safety and resilience said: “These priorities are priorities we know our residents feel strongly about. Both online and face-to-face surveys took place in town centres, faith institutions, markets and parks across the city, I attended many of these events and heard first hand your concerns.
“Within this strategy there is an increased focus on violence and anti-social behaviour, setting out what we will do to tackle this, in recognition of the level of harm and fear that these can bring to communities. We will also have a clearer focus on modern slavery, which is a serious violation of human rights, and on Community Cohesion, reflecting the issues and priorities of the diverse communities that make up our great city. Vulnerable people and children and families remain at the centre of our approach, and we will be supporting the wider partnership approach to keeping people, especially young people, safe from harm in our communities.”
The strategy also identifies priorities for the city which will be led by well-established multi-agency partnerships that work alongside the Community Safety Partnership Board including:
- Alcohol-Related Harm
- Contextual Safeguarding
- County Lines
- Domestic Abuse
- Drug-Related Crime and Harm
- Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons - Mental Health
Councillor David Williams, cabinet member for community safety and resilience continued: “By working together in partnership with agencies and local communities we can tackle the root causes of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour, and build a safer, stronger and more confident city.”
The strategy is expected to be approved at Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s cabinet meeting on Tuesday, November 7. It will then go out to full council on Thursday, December 7.
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