A major multi-agency effort has tackled crime, anti-social behaviour, and environmental issues across Stoke-on-Trent - while offering vital support to residents and businesses.
A major multi-agency effort has tackled crime, anti-social behaviour, and environmental issues across Stoke-on-Trent - while offering vital support to residents and businesses.
Over the past two weeks, teams from Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Partnership Against Business Crime in Staffordshire (PABCIS), Community Drug and Alcohol Service (CDAS) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) joined forces with Stoke-on-Trent City Council for a coordinated fortnight of action across the city’s town centres.
The activity combined enforcement, community engagement and on-the-spot support, giving residents, visitors and business owners the chance to share concerns and see first-hand how partners are working together to improve neighbourhood safety and wellbeing.
The coordinated activity included enforcement, community engagement, and support services to improve neighbourhood safety and wellbeing.
Highlights from the fortnight included:
- Empty Homes officers visiting more than a dozen properties to support renovation work, monitor sites and investigate complaints.
- The Civil Enforcement Team taking part in the Tunstall Day of Action, issuing five Penalty Charge Notices and engaging with residents and businesses about parking issues.
- The Rough Sleeper Team, CDAS and the DWP offering support to rough sleepers across all town centres and helping clear an encampment near New Hayes Road in Tunstall, with assistance from Staffordshire Police.
- Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service carrying out hydrant checks, supporting the Police and ASB Team to secure vacant buildings, and reviewing areas linked to suspicious activity.
- Street Cleansing and the Environmental Crime Unit clearing illegally dumped waste.
- Licensing officers conducting spot checks to ensure compliance with legal requirements.
- Police enforcement including an arrest in Tunstall for two counts of theft and a Community Protection Warning issued to an individual in Burslem for persistent anti-social behaviour.
Throughout the fortnight, Staffordshire Police were providing a visible patrol and also supporting Fire and Rescue and Council teams when investigating empty buildings.
The Community Drug and Alcohol Service (CDAS) supported the Rough Sleeper Team with outreach work with anyone presenting as in need of additional support.
Councillor Majid Khan, cabinet member for safe and resilient communities, said: “Once again, we’ve seen first-hand the positive impact collaborative work like this has on our city. It’s always helpful to hear from residents, business owners and visitors the good, the bad and the ugly feedback; if we don’t know about it, we can’t change it.
“Our teams, including licensing, the empty homes team, street cleansing, the Environmental Crime Unit, the ASB Team, and the remote CCTV team, all play a vital role in helping to make a cleaner, greener and safer city for all.”
Inspector Victoria Ison, from the Stoke-on-Trent north local policing team, said: “This enforcement continues as part of our commitment to tackling anti-social behaviour and high-harm offences across Stoke-on-Trent and wider Staffordshire.
“Officers have been out and about on foot in town centres across Stoke-on-Trent, maintaining a visible presence and addressing any concerns raised.
"We're determined to keep working proactively with our partners to tackle the main concerns of local people and businesses across the city."
The next Days of Action fortnight will take place in November, continuing the citywide effort to create safer, cleaner communities.
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