Problem solving targets root cause to get results

Problem-solving teams, introduced as part of our ongoing commitment to neighbourhood policing, are targeting persistent offenders and reducing high-impact crime, such as anti-social behaviour (ASB), across Staffordshire.

In July we established a problem-solving lead in each of our local policing teams (LPTs).

The initiative was rolled out force-wide following a successful trial in Newcastle, where officers developed an analytical tool, or problem solving dashboard, which makes it easier for us to identify problem locations and share knowledge.

We identified 98 locations across Staffordshire that resulted, on average, in more than 900 calls to our control room each month. Our problem-solving approach by LPT has seen us reduce these calls to fewer than 90 per month.

We have now resolved 167 problems, resulting in, on average, an 88.80 per cent reduction in calls across all LPTs in the last four weeks, compared to when each problem hit its peak.

Problem-solving lead for Newcastle LPT, PC Heather Bolam (pictured), said: “The process focusses on understanding problems, developing and testing solutions, and learning from experience with our colleagues across the force and with other agencies.

“It has seen our officers work more closely with communities and partners, such as councils, mental health services and housing associations, to meet local priorities and problem solve deep-rooted issues that really matter to our residents. Anti-social behaviour, for example, can have a devastating impact on communities and individuals.”

Last year problem-solving officers, working with our early intervention and prevention unit, Newcastle Borough Council and other agencies, tackled one of Staffordshire’s worst anti-social behaviour hotspots. A supermarket car park in Newcastle used by drivers as a race-track led to around 850 calls to our control room in eight years.

Through problem solving positive action was taken, including the installation of barriers and changes to lighting on-site. This resulted in a reduction in reports of late-night noise and disturbance, with the number of calls dropping from an average of 25 per month to zero in December and zero in January this year.

One local resident, who attended meetings with our officers, partners and supermarket representatives, said: “We can sleep through the night now all thanks to the team. It’s all so appreciated; thank you so much for getting this sorted and resolved. We are loving our peaceful nights.”

Problems around individuals, such as those who persistently contact us via 999 or 101, have also been addressed. A prolific nuisance caller, who rang us 36 times during just one four-week period last year, is now receiving ongoing support from our problem-solving officers and partner agencies, including drug and alcohol services.

Newcastle LPT commander, Chief Inspector John Owen, said: “Quite often these problems do not have a quick fix but our local teams have clear objectives through research, data and joined-up partnership working.

“The problem-solving approach is effective because all of us work together to resolve an issue. The results have been very positive and we have seen sustained improvements to the quality of life of communities, with reduced offending and fewer victims in the hotspot areas we have identified.”

Read more about our commitment to local policing, here: Crime Week: Commitment to neighbourhood policing | Staffordshire Police