Making Great Places activity continues following two arrests in proactive operation

We’re continuing to deal with the issues that matter the most to local communities in Shelton and have arrested two people on suspicion of theft and recall to prison offences.

Officers were walking around Shelton and Hanley Park as part of continued proactive efforts to tackle crime and engage with residents on Friday afternoon (10 January).

We’ve been working hard with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to rid the area of organised crime in recent months. A total of 183 people have now been arrested on suspicion of offences including rape, criminal exploitation, drug supply and more. More than 40 of these people have been charged, along with strict bail conditions and ongoing investigations imposed on others as part of our Making Great Places initiative.

Officers carried out a proactive drug search on a woman in the area on Friday, resulting in cannabis being found. She was issued with a community resolution.

We also located a woman who was arrested on suspicion of a number of theft offences in the area. Through our evidence, we were able to secure four charges and the woman has been given a date to appear in court.

Another arrest was made for a man who was recalled to prison after failing to attend court.

Chief Inspector Dave Barrow, from the Stoke South local policing team, said: “We’re not slowing down on our continued efforts to make the city a better, cleaner and healthier place for our residents to live, work and visit.

“We’ve laid the foundations and have took the fight to serious organised crime groups over the last few months in our crackdown on offending. Now, we’re determined to work closely with the city council and our partner agencies to tackle the issues that local people care about the most.

“It’s absolutely vital at this stage that people continue to engage with us. If you’re worried about crime in your area, please call us on 101 or use Live Chat on our website. You can also stay anonymous by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

We’ll be out and ready to speak to you in person in Shelton and Hanley Park every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evening. The mobile police station will be parked at Mirchi carpark on Mondays between 10am and 2pm, the Ember Lounge at Staffordshire University on Wednesdays between 10am and 2pm and Hanley Park Pavilion on Saturdays between 10am and 2pm. Weekly lunchtime drop-in sessions are also being held at the YMCA on Mondays and ASHA on Fridays.