Tunstall

Dealing with shoplifting and rough sleeping.

Shoplifting is a common crime in the main retail areas (Alexandra Retail Park and Jasper Square) along with Tunstall High Street. 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.

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 youth anti-social behaviour

Concerns have been raised by the community around groups of young people gathering in certain areas, which can at times appear intimidating. Some incidents have also involved anti-social behaviour affecting local residents and businesses.
Over the past quarter, and continuing into the next, we are working to address this issue through:
• Engagement with parents and guardians: We encourage parents and guardians to be aware of where their children are, who they are with, and what they are doing. Positive guidance at home can help prevent behaviour that may cause distress or alarm within the community.
• Early intervention and partnership working: We continue to work closely with schools, social services, youth services, local councils, and community partners to ensure reports involving young people are taken seriously. Our approach focuses on education, prevention, and providing opportunities and activities to divert young people away from anti-social behaviour.
• Enforcement where required: Where individuals repeatedly engage in anti-social behaviour, proportionate action will be taken, working jointly with police and council partners.
We are committed to supporting young people while addressing behaviours that impact the wider community, ensuring the area remains a safe and welcoming place for all.

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.