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Cleveland’s ‘feet on the street’ help tackle anti-social behaviour with hotspot patrols

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Uniformed anti-social behaviour (ASB) patrols in Cleveland have helped tackle a range of crimes, including drug dealing, cannabis farms and off road bikes, in areas identified as “hotspots” in their first full year. 

The patrols, delivered by local authority community wardens, have clocked up a total of 7,685 hours pounding the streets of Stockton-on-Tees, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland.

In the year to September 2024, they’ve tackled a wide range of problems and supported a number of activities aimed at making Cleveland a safer – and better – place to live, work and visit.

Between September 2023 and August 2024, police-reported incidents of ASB were down 21 per cent in hotspot areas. 

Nine of the 19 locations initially selected for patrols have now been removed, as they are no longer considered to be among the worst for ASB.  Locations have been replaced with other areas, which have shown increased volumes of ASB. 

The patrols are part of £988,500 being invested this year as part of the Government’s Hotspot Response Patrols to tackle ASB.

Community Wardens employed by each borough council run Cleveland’s ASB patrols.  In their first year, they carried out the following activities: 

  • Made 109 intelligence reports to the police of suspected illegal activity 
  • Were involved in tackling more than 957 incidents of antisocial behaviour  
  • Took part in 532 enforcement actions including issuing warning notices, telling community members to behave – or face the consequences 

“Partnership working needs to be at the heart of how we tackle crime and make people feel safer – and these patrols demonstrate how this works in practice. 

“This investment brings together local authorities, Cleveland Police and other organisations to provide wider coverage for proactive activity and enforcement. 

“Not only will this help gather more community intelligence, but additional patrols act as a visible deterrent for those considering causing their community harm.”  

Matt Storey, Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC)

Find out how other forces are tackling anti-social behaviour in this piece by Catherine Levin.

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