Last month a coordinated partnership approach in the Fenton area of Stoke-on-Trent started, with high levels of enforcement action already taking place.
Teams from Staffordshire Police and Stoke-on-Trent City Council have joined forces for a phased approach to combat crime and antisocial behaviour across the city.
Last month a coordinated partnership approach in the Fenton area of Stoke-on-Trent started, with high levels of enforcement action already taking place.
Activity has included charges being brought against organised crime groups, as well as eight drug warrants, 11 vehicles seized for violations including no insurance or tax and over 41 arrests for various offences.
This comes as over 500 engagements with the community to capture intelligence has taken place, with local policing officers continuing patrols and inspections to further reassure residents.
The council has cleared fly tipping specifically in alleyways where sofas and other household items had been dumped illegally, with advice letters to local residents on how to correctly dispose of their waste sent. Underage test sales purchases have taken place at local businesses, private rented properties have been inspected and checks on known rough sleepers are ongoing.
Councillor David Williams, cabinet member for community safety and resilience, said: “Over the past few weeks, we have been working closely with Staffordshire Police to make life better for everyone who lives and works in the Fenton area. We are doing this because we want to reduce crime, disrupt serious and organised crime, and secure investment in the local area. Ultimately, we all want to feel safe where we live and where we work but too often residents tell us that they are worried about antisocial behaviour and crime.”
The aim of the Making Great Places project in Fenton is to work cooperatively with partners, stakeholders and residents to deliver an operation which supports and empowers the community to achieve a sustained improvement in safety, wellbeing and quality of life. The three phased approach focuses on enforcement action in phase one, development work with the community such as schools and the voluntary sector in phase two and then community led work in phase three.
Chief Superintendent for Stoke-on-Trent, Elliott Sharrard-Williams, said: “Tackling the priorities of local people and working with partners to stop organised crime are two of the most important priorities for us in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
“We can only do this by being proactive, visible and taking robust action against those responsible.
“Over the last three weeks, we’ve carried out co-ordinated enforcement activity in Fenton that has resulted in 59 people being charged with offences, including burglary, vehicle theft, conspiracy to supply class A drugs and theft. Six were also remanded in custody for failing to appear in court and breaching bail conditions.
“We will continue to work closely with Stoke-on-Trent City Council and local partners to build on this activity. We want to send a clear message that we will act robustly against those who continue to blight our communities and exploit vulnerable local people.”
Councillor David Williams continued: “By working together, and by listening to residents, we can focus on reducing crime, preventing it from happening in the first place, and supporting people in our city who are victims of crime, or at risk of becoming a victim. We are determined that the improvements that are being made are sustained as we move forward and that relationships between the local community, Staffordshire Police and the council are further strengthened.”
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