Local policing team remain firm on tackling crime in Stone
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The area commander for Stafford Borough has reiterated his team’s efforts in tackling crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour in Stone.
Chief Inspector Giles Parsons says targeted police activity is having a positive impact in the area and he’s called on the local community to keep reporting any criminal activity they’re aware of.
Speaking following an online chat with residents, Chief Inspector Parsons said: “Last year we did see increases in acquisitive crime, particularly burglaries to business premises and damage in the town centre. A number of arrests and charges were made and individuals are being dealt with by the courts and are no longer continued to offend in Stone.
“As a result of the targeted police activity and with support from the public providing essential evidence to enable us to prosecute offenders throughout 2021, we have seen crime fall - which means, on a month-by-month basis, it remains below the previous average level for the town.
“The challenges that Covid has brought has meant that things haven’t been easy but my team has made a significant effort to continue dialogue with the local community in an effort to hear their concerns. Our online chats have enabled us to do this in a Covid compliant fashion.
“One key issue raised has been around the impact of drug use in Stone - an area we have made a concerted effort to target. During May and June 2021, drugs warrants were executed in the Westover Drive and Fillybrooks area of Stone.
“Separately entry was forced to a property in the Willow Road area where a cannabis grow was discovered. This has led to significant recovery of illegal drugs and disruption in the production of cannabis in the town. Investigations are on-going and an arrest has already been made with others planned.
“We are also proactively carrying out stop checks and using stop and search powers to tackle the issue concerning drugs.
“In May and June, three individuals were stopped with drugs in their possession. These took place in the Mount Road area, Fillybrooks and Old Road areas of Stone.”
Chief Inspector Parsons continued, adding: “The intelligence and information we get from people within the community is key for us to be able to continue to tackle drug supply in the area. We have received positive feedback that our work is having an impact but I urge residents to keep coming forward with any information that can help us.
“And community assistance is not just important when it comes to tackling drugs but also in the occurrence of anti-social behaviour – another area of concern for people living here.
“For instance, we are still appealing for information concerning the damage caused to the wooden footbridge at the back of Morrisons on Sunday 30 May. We are still carrying out an investigation into this but are yet to make any arrests.
“Anyone with information should contact us quoting incident number 479 of 30 May.
“In other news, a man has been arrested and charged in connection with a number of criminal damage incidents in local supermarkets on the 7th, 8th and 9th June. 20-year-old Connor Parker, of Hill Crescent, Stone, has now been released on conditional bail following a court appearance.”
If you wish to contact the local team then please drop them a message using the contact details below. To report incidents please use 999 for emergencies, 101, report online or through social media for none emergencies.
Contact details for the team:
Chief Inspector Giles Parsons – giles.parsons@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk
Sgt Nick Maingay – nicholas.maingay@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk
PC Dan Hughes - daniel.hughes@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk
PC Gareth Hilditch - gareth.hilditch@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk
PC John White - john.white@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk
PC Paul Smith - paul.smith@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk
PCSO Meg Rogers - megan.rogers@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk
PCSO Heather Fearnall - heather.fearnall@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk
PCSO Becky Davies - rebecca.davies@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk