Bradeley and Chell Heath

Tackling off-road bikes.

Operation Transom and Operation Reclaim is our response to nuisance off-road bikes. In conjunction with the Local Authority, we are trying to identify riders of the bikes, both through police reported incidents and information received by the Local Authority. Where the evidence allows, we are carrying out seizures of bikes and prosecuting riders. There have been occasions where riders have been identified as residing in Local Authority housing and tenancy breach action has been taken.

Making Great Places

The "Making Great Places" initiative in Tunstall aims to address community concerns and improve public spaces. Local officers are engaging with residents to discuss issues affecting the area, focusing on crime reduction and community safety. Recent consultations revealed that 76% of people agree on improving public spaces, with proposals including new tree planting and outdoor market stalls. Additionally, a £4.5 million plan is underway to enhance public spaces around the town center, with feedback from residents to guide the improvements. Overall, the initiative is focused on creating a cleaner, safer, and greener environment for residents and visitors.

Traffic Offences- Off Road Bikes

We are aware of the on-going concerns raised by residents and members of the community about the use of off road bikes. As a result, our road crime team will continue to spend time in the areas. We have arranged targets operations using a variety of resources including our road crime team, Staffs off road bikes, drones and the fixed wing plane. This has been on going and will continue to be used during the Spring and Summer months. This has also involved local officers engaging with petrol stations, schools and completing joint visits with local housing officers to problem properties. We ask all members of public to report anything they deem suspicious to the police using 101, the Staffordshire police website or Crimestoppers.

Preventing and disrupting drug offences.

Local residents have expressed concerns over drug use in the local neighbourhood. Our local officers are working hard to collate intelligence which allows us to action Warrants and work with the council regarding tenancy of offenders. If you suspect illegal drug use in your local area, we encourage members of the public to report this to police using 101, the online reporting system or Crimestoppers. We will work with partners to support persons where possible but will also look to disrupt and be robust regarding repeat offenders.

Anti-social behaviour including youth

Local residents have reported and increase in teenagers and young people congregating in groups and seeming intimidating. Some are also causing anti-social behaviour to local residents and local shops. We remind all parents and guardians to please ensure you know where your children are and what they are doing and remind them that their behaviour may upset and alarm local residents if they are acting anti-socially. We are working hard with PCSO’s, local schools, Social services and the council to ensure that all reports of ASB including young people are taken seriously and we look to educate them going forward. Repeat offenders will have action taken against them.

Tackling drug use and drug dealing

Following feedback from local residents, drug use and drug dealing remain concerns within the area and continue to be a policing priority.
Over the past quarter, and continuing into the next, we are addressing these issues through:
• Increased visibility and engagement: We are carrying out regular foot patrols to provide a visible presence, deter offending, and engage with the community to gather information and provide reassurance.
• Proactive enforcement and support: We are taking positive action against those involved in drug-related activity. Where appropriate, we will also work with partner agencies and charities to offer support to individuals who wish to address substance misuse.
• Appropriate action where support is declined: Where individuals do not wish to engage with support, or are not eligible, we will take appropriate and proportionate enforcement action to address offending behaviour.
• Partnership working: We continue to work closely with partner agencies to disrupt drug-related activity, reduce harm, and minimise the impact on local residents and businesses.

Tackling traffic offences and anti-social use of off-road bikes

This continues to be a priority for us to reduce the impact this behaviour is having on local residents.
Over the past quarter, and continuing into the next, we have been and will continue to take action to address this issue through:
• Targeted patrols and specialist support: We are working closely with our Road Crime Team, including bike officers and advanced drivers, to target key locations at the times where issues are most prevalent, based on intelligence and data.
• Coordinated operations: We are carrying out targeted days of action using a range of resources, including Road Crime officers, police off-road bikes, drones, and the fixed-wing aircraft to identify and disrupt offenders.
• Partnership working and enforcement: We continue to work alongside Stoke-on-Trent City Council as part of Operation Transom, our joint approach to tackling nuisance off-road bikes. With information provided by the public, we are identifying riders and, where evidence allows, seizing bikes and prosecuting those responsible.

We are also working with housing partners to address issues linked to properties. In some cases, where offenders live in local authority housing, tenancy enforcement action has been taken.