More than 260 arrests as Making Great Places initiative continues

We’ve put a dent in organised crime in Shelton and Hanley Park after making more than 260 arrests and carrying out a day of action as part of our Making Great Places initiative. 

Since October last year, we’ve been working closely with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to target serious crime and to continue making the city a cleaner, safer, wealthier and happier place to live and work.

We’ve arrested 268 people since we launched this commitment, involving offences of rape, criminal exploitation, drug supply and more.

Part of our work has resulted in 255 intelligence submissions during this time and 373 stop and searches in the local area.

Earlier this month on 6 March, we also teamed up with the city council, Highways, our road crime team, Trading Standards and Crimestoppers in a day of action to continue building on these successes. We made a further four arrests on suspicion of violent disorder, public order and immigration offences, while our road crime team stopped 20 vehicles, seized four and reported one driver for driving while disqualified.

A total of 18 Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) were issued along with three fines for littering. Eight rough sleepers were also identified and signposted to support agencies.

Stoke South local policing team Inspector, Aaron Fortune, said: “Our Making Great Places initiative has been substantial and has no doubt taken a large number of dangerous criminals off our streets.

“We know that we need to continue working closely with our partners if this initiative is going to have a lasting effect on the local community. That’s why we’re carrying out regular enforcement and education days with a host of partners to continue building on the foundations we’ve laid over the last few months.

“This initiative can only mean good things for people living, working and visiting the city and we’re determined to keep working collaboratively to deliver on the needs of the people we proudly serve.”

Councillor Majid Khan, cabinet member for safe and resilient communities at Stoke-on-Trent City Council said: “Multi-agency partnership work of this scale is instrumental in tackling crime in the city. It is vital that residents continue to talk to us, it helps us to take targeted enforcement action and stop crime before things escalate.

“Our teams are working incredibly hard to make Stoke-on-Trent a cleaner, greener and safer place for all.”

If you’re worried about crime in your area and you want to report it, please call 101 or use Live Chat on our website.

To report anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.