Etruria and Hanley

Anti social behaviour

Local officers are working in conjunction with the Rough Sleepers Team to verify rough sleepers and look for alternative accommodation and provide the correct support to prevent crime. We continue to work alongside the commissioned service for rough sleeping, Brighter Futures who run Hanley Connect, a drop-in centre for service users to receive the offers of housing and drug / alcohol support along with facilities such as clean clothes and showers.

We have increased patrols in this area by way of PCSOs responding to ASB hot spots and patrolling specific locations within Hanley Town centre.

Enforcement will be used where appropriate and the use of Community Protection Warnings and notices are frequent along with the use of Criminal Behaviour Orders under more serious circumstances.
Section 34 Dispersal Authorities are used when appropriate to remove problem people from specific areas of the Town Centre.

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 through the summer. This has also involved local officers engaging with petrol stations schools and joint visits with local housing officers to address problem properties. 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.

Anti Social Behaviour

This has been identified as an area historically high in serious violence and as such, is an area dedicated for patrols using government funding with officers carrying out foot patrols in the worst affected streets. Other locations have been identified for ASB mainly from gathering youths and other areas have been targeted for patrols by PCSOs in support of youth provision for the area.

Dealing with shoplifting and rough sleeping.

Shoplifting is a common crime in the main retail areas such as Potteries Shopping Centre and Festival Park. Work is being done with the Early Intervention and Prevention Unit to offer advice and report where improvements to stores can be made to help prevent shoplifting before it happens. Early sweeps of the location are also in place to engage with any rough sleepers found and to link them in with the Rough Sleeper’s Team in an attempt to get them verified as rough sleepers. We will continue to target repeat offenders not only with criminal convictions but also with Community Protection Notices and post-conviction court orders such as Criminal Behaviour Orders where appropriate. We will continue to work closely with the various businesses to ensure that where possible, crime and anti-social behaviour is prevented and that suitable punitive action is taken where prevention has failed. We also work closely with PABCIS who monitor shoplifters and repeat offenders and work with the stores closely to provide advice.

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 Begging

Local officers have been working hard to secure orders against individuals who are begging, causing ASB and disrupting businesses. This involves working with the rough sleepers team and completing daily check ins with persons who are sleeping rough and causing such issues. Many persons have been served a community protection warning or notice and this prohibits them from committing certain behaviours otherwise they will be liable to arrest. Members of the public are encouraged to report such persons to the police and council so that we can provide support and signpost persons to services that may assist them.

Tackling rough sleeping and associated issues

Rough sleeping remains an issue in the Town Centre and is often associated with concerns such as anti-social behaviour, drug-related activity, and public order incidents.
Over the past quarter, and continuing into the next, we are prioritising work to address these issues while supporting vulnerable individuals. Our approach includes:
• Early engagement and support: Officers are conducting early morning patrols to identify individuals who may be rough sleeping. We work closely with the Rough Sleeper Team, charities, and partner agencies to verify individuals and offer support, advice, and access to services.
• Increased visible patrols: There is an enhanced police presence in the town centre, with regular foot patrols aimed at deterring anti-social behaviour and providing reassurance to the community.
• Firm action where necessary: Where individuals decline support and continue to engage in criminal or anti-social behaviour, we will take appropriate and proportionate enforcement action.

Tackling retail crime and theft

Retail crime, including shop theft, remains a concern within the community and continues to be a priority for us to address.
Over the past quarter, and continuing into the next, we are working to reduce this issue through:
• Supporting local businesses: We are working closely with retailers to help them operate safely and confidently, reducing the impact that crime can have on their staff, customers, and businesses.
• Partnership working and prevention: We continue to work with partners including PABCIS, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, and store staff to strengthen crime prevention measures, share intelligence, and identify those responsible for offending.
• Proactive enforcement: We are focused on identifying offenders and taking swift and appropriate action against those who commit crimes affecting the retail community.
We remain committed to protecting businesses and ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for those who live, work, and visit the area.

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.