Hanley Park and Shelton

Anti-social behaviour linked to drug use and homelessness. We understand the impact this can have on residents, local businesses, and perceptions of safety in the area, and we are taking a balanced approach that supports both community wellbeing and vulnerable individuals.

Our PCSOs continue to maintain a high-visibility presence in key locations, providing reassurance to the public and acting as a point of contact for any concerns. In recent months, we have seen an increase in rough sleeping, and we are working closely with the local authority and homelessness support charities to ensure that those in need are offered appropriate support and engagement. Our focus is on providing long-term, sustainable outcomes—connecting individuals with housing, mental health, and addiction services where necessary—while also addressing behaviours that may cause distress to others. This work will remain a key priority over the coming months as we strive to reduce anti-social behaviour and improve the wider environment for all members of the community.

Violence in Hanley Park

We are working closely with our partners to address a spate of reports in Hanley Park, where incidents of assault, robbery, and criminal damage have been raised. In response, we will be carrying out a mix of high-visibility patrols and targeted undercover operations to identify those responsible and bring offenders to justice. We take these reports extremely seriously and are committed to doing everything we can to make the park a safer place, ensuring local residents and families can enjoy it with confidence.

Welcoming a new cohort of students to University of Staffordshire

We’re also working with Staffordshire University to welcome a new cohort of freshers to the area. Our teams will be out and about offering plenty of crime prevention advice, helping students settle in safely and confidently. We want to make sure their time here is enjoyable, so they can focus on their studies and making the most of university life.

Homelessness, rough sleeping related ASB

Our Action Fund patrols and PCSOs continue to maintain a high-visibility presence in key locations, providing reassurance to the public and acting as a point of contact for any concerns. In recent months, we have seen an increase in rough sleeping, and we are working closely with the local authority and homelessness support charities to ensure that those in need are offered appropriate support and engagement. Our focus is on providing long-term, sustainable outcomes, connecting individuals with housing, mental health, and addiction services where necessary, while also addressing behaviours that may cause distress to others. This work will remain a key priority over the coming months as we strive to reduce anti-social behaviour and improve the wider environment for all members of the community.

Community Cohesion and building trust in policing

Alongside the local authority and others, we have focused on environmental improvements, such as clearing fly tipping, making derelict buildings safe, and enhancing shared public spaces. These efforts have already delivered results, with a significant 20% reduction in overall crime in the area. As we move forward, we want to build on this success by deepening trust, particularly within our Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities. We will be doing this through a range of engagement initiatives, including ‘Meet the Commander’ events, PCSO-led drop-in surgeries, educational visits to local schools, and an ongoing visible presence within the neighbourhood.

Violence against women and girls, drug dealing and exploitation in Hanley Park

We are working closely with our partners and our Child Exploitation Team to address a spate of reports in Hanley Park. In response, we will be carrying out a mix of high-visibility patrols and targeted undercover operations to identify those responsible and bring offenders to justice. We take these reports extremely seriously and are committed to doing everything we can to make the park a safer place, ensuring local residents and families can enjoy it with confidence.

Homelessness & Rough Sleeping

Our neighbourhood patrols and PCSOs continue to maintain a high-visibility presence in key locations, providing reassurance to the public and acting as a point of contact for any concerns. In recent months, we have seen an increase in rough sleeping, and we are working closely with the local authority and homelessness support charities to ensure that those in need are offered appropriate support and engagement. Our focus is on providing long-term, sustainable outcomes, connecting individuals with housing, mental health, and addiction services where necessary, while also addressing behaviours that may cause distress to others. This work will remain a key priority over the coming months as we strive to reduce anti-social behaviour and improve the wider environment for all members of the community.

Drug Dealing & Exploitation in Hanley Park

We are working closely with our partners and our Child Exploitation Team to address a spate of reports in Hanley Park. In response, we will be carrying out a mix of high-visibility patrols and targeted undercover operations to identify those responsible and bring offenders to justice. We take these reports extremely seriously and are committed to doing everything we can to make the park a safer place, ensuring local residents and families can enjoy it with confidence.

Vehicle Crime

Operation Alcaic continues focused on tackling the rising theft of motorbikes and mopeds across the city. We now have a dedicated officer leading on this priority, and early results have already seen several key arrests. This operation closely links with our ongoing work under Operation Transom, targeting anti-social behaviour involving nuisance motorbikes. We are working in close partnership with our Roads Policing Team, using specialist tactics, NPAS (police helicopter), and drone technology to identify and apprehend offenders. These crimes are not only causing financial loss and distress to victims but also endangering the lives of both the offenders and other road users. We remain committed to taking robust enforcement action and encourage all residents to secure their bikes, keep them out of sight where possible, and report any suspicious activity or intelligence to us.

Community trust and cohesion

Alongside the local authority and others, we have focused on environmental improvements, such as clearing fly tipping, making derelict buildings safe, and enhancing shared public spaces. These efforts have already delivered results, with a significant 20% reduction in overall crime in the area. As we move forward, we want to build on this success by deepening trust, particularly within our Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities. We will be doing this through a range of engagement initiatives, including ‘Meet the Commander’ events, PCSO-led drop-in surgeries, educational visits to local schools, and an ongoing visible presence within the neighbourhood.