A multi-agency initiative to tackle organised crime and improve the lives of residents has been introduced in East Middlesbrough.
Project Orme will focus on reducing crime and improving engagement with those who live in three wards in TS3 – Berwick Hills and Pallister, Park End and Beckfields and Brambles and Thorntree.
The project is named after the Orme the Viking statue in Berwick Hills, a local landmark which was designed by schoolchildren.
The approach follows the Home Office’s ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ approach which sees organised criminals and associates cleared from an area, backed up by high visibility patrols and community support.
A similar project launched in Stockton’s Oxbridge and Parkfield wards in June 2023 has seen crime drop by more than a third.
The Project will help to rejuvenate the areas; with residents being supported by agencies including Cleveland Police, Middlesbrough Council, Thirteen Group, Cleveland Fire Brigade, educational establishments, Probation Service, Youth Justice, Public Health, North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) and the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit Network (NEROCU).
Serious and organised crime remains a focus not only for police, but communities will also be encouraged to share information with authorities, so that criminals can be disrupted and offenders brought to justice.
Neighbourhood policing teams, supported by partner agencies, have already achieved results including:
- A 28% reduction in crime reports in the TS3 area in January 2025 compared to January 2024.
- A drugs warrant carried out on Penny Avenue with a man charged with drugs offences and crack cocaine and cash recovered.
- Another man found with 22 wraps of cocaine who was charged with drugs offences.
- Following a stop search, a man arrested in connection with shop thefts.
- A van seized and the driver, a 30-year-old man, reported for summons for failing to stop for police, driving without insurance and driving whilst disqualified.
- A drugs warrant was carried out on Penny Avenue on Friday 31st January and a male was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A and class C drugs.
- A 21-year-old man was summonsed to court after he was found in possession of cannabis. His electric bike was seized.
- A man and woman were arrested after being stopped in a vehicle where officers searching them found suspected crack cocaine and cash. The vehicle was seized for no insurance and the driver was also arrested on suspicion of driving without a licence.
- A 38-year-old man was charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs after nearly 100 deals of suspected crack cocaine were recovered on Bournemouth Avenue on Friday 7th February.
District Commander for Middlesbrough, Superintendent Marc Anderson, said: “Working closely with our communities in these wards, and with our partner agencies, we hope to make a real difference in these areas and really clampdown on those who exploit others for criminal gain.
“Our communities are key in providing the information that we need to help us tackle serious and organised criminals and bring to justice those who cause misery for others in Middlesbrough.
“Neighbourhood and Proactive teams will be working alongside partners to bring a whole-system approach to tackling issues, and ensuring that we disrupt criminals, and wherever possible gain convictions against those causing harm in these areas.”
PCC Matt Storey said: “The launch of Project Orme is a fantastic opportunity to engage with residents while using our strengths of partnership working and the problem-solving mindset of our dedicated and passionate police officers to show what is being done to reduce crime.
“It is that joined up approach that has already delivered positive results elsewhere and it’s key that we replicate this momentum in other areas of Cleveland.
“Speaking with communities, keeping them up to date with what work is being done and why and making sure it aligns with their needs is crucial.”
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said: “The vast majority of people living in East Middlesbrough are fed up with the minority of criminals responsible for spreading distress and anxiety, committing crime and tormenting their estates.
“This project will target the organised crime groups who are causing the issues, but it also focuses on supporting victims and those who become caught up in criminality, especially our vulnerable young people who can be easily tempted to fall into a life in the drug trade.
“We’re going to need the help of every one of our residents to gather the information needed for police, our officers and partners to act. This will be a long-term project and we’re committed to making it a success.”
A community consultation has been launched in the area, which asks residents to respond to a survey which is also available online on the Middlesbrough Council website: Crime and Antisocial Behaviour in East Middlesbrough