A scheme aimed at cleaning up the streets of Middlesbrough has scored some impressive results.
The Safer Streets 5 project focusses resources on target areas of the town centre as well as the Beechwood and Longlands wards.
Over 18 months, more than £332,000 will be directed to the two wards as part of the scheme to reduce antisocial behaviour (ASB) and neighbourhood crime.
Since SS5 was introduced in Middlesbrough:
- Neighbourhood crime has reduced by 18 per cent across all target areas in Middlesbrough*
- ASB has decreased by 11 per cent in Beechwood and Longlands*
Led by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland in partnership with a number of agencies including Middlesbrough Council, Cleveland Police and Safer Communities, SS5 has seen an increased presence in the area.
As a result, community intelligence has also increased, leading to a number of arrests.
Organised crime
In one case, police caught two men with 250 rocks of crack cocaine and a quantity of cash. They were later arrested and charged.
Many of those arrested as a result of intelligence have had links to drug dealing and organised crime gangs.
Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey said: “Safer Streets channels resources to those areas, which need it most.
“My office has been successful in securing Home Office investment as part of all five Safer Streets’ programmes since 2020.
“By targeting very specific areas and working with a range of partners, we can focus on particular types of crime common in those areas and have a really positive impact on community safety.”
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said: “This is a really important first step to try to tackle off road bikes, which has come from engaging with people in the area for a considerable amount of time.
“It is a much better use of everyone’s time to target crime and antisocial behaviour in a more specific way.
“The issues are known to the community – and using those insights is the way to tackle ASB.”
Jayne Dale, Thirteen’s community connector, said: “We’re pleased to be working in partnership to support our communities in Middlesbrough, and help them feel safer where they live.
“We know that this investment in the local area will make a big difference, and we look forward to our continued partnership to make further improvements in the future.”
Measures
There are a number of measures to clamp down on criminal and disorderly behaviour. Activity has included:
- Engaging with over 100 town centre businesses to provide reassurance and support
- Targeted work with 120 individuals to provide support. This has included housing and safeguarding referrals as well as welfare checks
- Targeted enforcement including Community Protection Warnings, Community Protection Notices and Acceptable Behaviour Contracts**
- Boarding up two houses subject to closure notices
A number of environmental improvements have also taken place, aimed at stopping ASB and making the areas more pleasant places to live, work and visit.
There have been monthly action days since last October, during which residents in Beechwood and Longlands can use a communal skip to get rid of bulky waste. At the same time, they can engage with organisations active in the area and raise any community concerns.
Concrete blocks and kick rails have also been installed in the ward to deter nuisance bikes.
As part of SS5, there are plans for improved CCTV coverage including three refuge points in the town centre. They will enable vulnerable people to call for extra help to keep them safe.