Officers to hold community engagement events

Officers are due to hold two events aimed at engaging local communities in Stafford and Stone next week.

The events, which will be held on Friday 26 November and Saturday 27 November, will focus on increasing awareness on what is being done by the force - particularly to tackle vulnerability and domestic violence, in the lead up to the festive period.

The first event will take place on Stone High Street, between 7pm and 9pm, with the second due at the same times on High Street, Stafford, on 27 November.

A number of partner agencies will be on hand to offer information, support and guidance to attendees, including the Community Safety Team from Stafford Borough Council, domestic abuse holistic service New Era, Staffordshire Treatment and Recovery Service – STARS, and Mid-Staffordshire Youth Net.

The events will look at how people can be supported to access services across the region to help address issues around domestic abuse.

They will also look to advise and support attendees in understanding the dangers of increased alcohol consumption, and the responsibilities of venues to keep people safe from potential drink-spiking.

Sergeant Zoe Thompson, of Stafford Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), along with PC Mark Lyon who has organised the events, said: “These will be positive, proactive events, to help individuals who may feel as though they are particularly vulnerable to issues around domestic violence, substance abuse and other concerns, especially as we often see an increase in these types of incidents in the weeks prior to Christmas.

“These events will run alongside the continued work we are doing with perpetrators of abuse, supporting them on programmes aimed at rehabilitation, as well as pursuing prosecutions where appropriate.

“These events will bring together police with partner agencies, to let individuals know what is out there to support and help them feel safe, protected and supported – as we all deserve to be, day-in-day-day-out.”

To find out more about the events, contact the Stafford Borough NPT on Facebook or Twitter, or call 01785 232385.

Call 999 in an emergency.