Six months of Operation Shield
A multi-agency operation designed to combat anti-social behaviour and tackle the causes of offending in Stockton Town Centre, has enjoyed an encouraging first six months.
Officers from the Council, Cleveland Police, Wellington Square, Stockton Bid, local recovery support agencies and other partners have joined forces on Operation Shield to cut substance misuse related offending and improve perception of safety in the town centre.
The initiative, which got underway in late February, has now passed its six-month milestone and all the signs are that it is having a positive effect.
Operation Shield has seen regular, dedicated joint foot patrols between Civic Enforcement Officers and Cleveland Police's Stockton Neighbourhood Policing Team in Stockton Town Centre. This is in addition to the daily patrols carried out by the Council's Civic Enforcement Team.
Monthly 'days of action' have also taken place, helping to display the work of Operation Shield to the public on market days and during popular events such as Armed Forces Day and Stockton and Darlington Railway Festival event on 28 September.
And for their commitment and dedication for ensuring Stockton International Riverside Festival was a safe and welcoming event, The High Sheriff of County Durham, Mr Michael Poole DL visited frontline officers to thank them, presenting them with a special High Sheriffs Award for their work.
Earlier this month the Council also introduced the Reduce the Strength Scheme where Premises Licence holders voluntarily agree to stop selling low cost, high strength alcohol such as beer, lager, and cider above 6.5% Alcohol By Volume (ABV).
This initiative will also run in tandem with other measures to tackle alcohol related crime and disorder in the town centre, such as the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).
Support for people needing to access housing and substance-misuse recovery services have also been boosted with outreach work carried out and information and awareness raising events held.
Councillor Norma Stephenson, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Access, Communities and Community Safety, said: "Operation Shield is progressing well. It's a real team effort taking advantage of the skills and strengths of a number of Council teams such as Civic Enforcement, Licensing, CCTV, Housing and Public Health among others.
"We are already seeing positive signs from the joint patrols between Cleveland Police and the Council's Enforcement team. They are providing a visible deterrent to those wanting to commit anti-social behaviour and crime while reassuring the public that Stockton is a safe, and welcoming place to visit.
"Alongside Stockton BID, Wellington Square, local businesses and retailers, we are working hard to improve perception and conditions for people working in the town centre too.
"We are also really trying to get to the root of the problems, treating the complex addiction issues some people face holistically. This is why the involvement and support from local recovery agencies has been essential as we want to help those who are looking to improve their health and future opportunities.
"There is still a lot of work to be done. We're not resting on our laurels and are evaluating what we do, looking for further, new, innovative ways of working. There's lots more planned for the next six months!
The High Sheriff of County Durham, Mr Michael Poole DL, said: "Part of the High Sheriff's role is to give support and encouragement to the Police and other emergency services. Following visits to Stockton Town Centre in the summer, I learnt about the ongoing work of Operation Shield and was impressed by the dedication of the Council's Civic Enforcement Team, especially during busy events such as Stockton International Riverside Festival. It was my pleasure to honour them with a High Sheriff award to recognise their efforts."
Inspector Andy Vickers, from Stockton's neighbourhood policing team, said: "The last six months, working alongside our partners, has enabled us to provide a real focus to the town centre.
"We have and continue to listen and recognise what concerns members of the public and business owners have and made progress that ensures we are on a good path going forward.
"Already we have implemented four police officers who have a role that dedicates them to policing the town centre as part of the neighbourhood policing guarantee, worked with partners and local businesses to introduce 'reducing the strength' - a scheme where licensed premises voluntarily agree to stop selling low cost and high strength alcohol to help stop anti-social behaviour, a crime which has reduced by 42 per cent in September. We have also seen a 17.8 per cent drop in shop thefts over the last six months.
"This is a snapshot of various activity that is helping to create an even safer place for members of the public to live, work and visit without fear. However, we are not complacent and know there is still more that needs to be done and rest assured Operation Shield will continue to make even more positive strides in the months ahead."
