CRIME-BUSTING measures on a problem Teesside estate have seen dozens of arrests, drugs recovered, and weapons seized.

More than four weeks into an operation aimed at tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in the Hemlington area, in Middlesbrough, local police have highlighted how the new measures are cutting down on crime.

The new measures, labelled Operation Fortress began in late February, and police and partners including Middlesbrough Council, Cleveland Fire Brigade and Thirteen Housing have made multiple arrests, issued scores of anti-social behaviour warnings, seized thousands of pounds worth of suspected drugs and recovered a number of weapons.

It comes as Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Steve Turner agreed to provide Middlesbrough Council with an additional £41,800 for security measures in and around the Viewley Centre, Hemlington.

Police officers from the neighbourhood team along with specialist teams, such as roads policing, have been working together with partners to address the problems which have left some residents scared to leave their own homes.

Read more: Extra £40k to crackdown on anti-social crime in Hemlington

Police action in Hemlington includes: 

 

  • Over 37 arrests within Hemlington
  • Four voluntary interviews conducted
  • 18 antisocial behaviour warnings issued
  • Three people reported for summons
  • Numerous joint visits carried out with local authority or housing providers around issuing or breaching of antisocial behaviour contracts
  • Large quantities of suspected class A, B and C drugs recovered during search warrants and 100 wraps of class A recovered from one individual during a stop search.
  • Four stolen vehicles recovered.
  • Three vehicles seized for no insurance.
  • Five drugs search warrants carried out.
  • Weapons recovered including three knives, one machete and one knuckle duster. One person charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a private place in relation to machete and knuckle duster.
  • Around £30k worth of cocaine and large quantities of other drugs were recovered and one man arrested. This operation was carried out with partners from the National Crime Agency (NCA) and North East Regional Special Operations Unit (NERSOU).
  • Numerous engagement activities conducted, including door-to-door visits with the delivery of the Operation Fortress leaflets with police and partners contact details.
  • Engagement activity planned over the coming holidays including an Easter egg hunt on Saturday 16th April.
  • High visibility patrols around Hemlington including on foot and in police vehicles
  • Improved information sharing with partners
  • Joint work with local schools within Hemlington to facilitate greater shared information and support regarding youths and wider issues.

The Northern Echo:

Superintendent Rachel Stockdale said: “Firstly, I’d like to thank the community for coming forward and telling us about what’s happening in Hemlington, so that we can tackle these issues head on.

“We can only deal with what we know about, so I’d like to continue to urge local residents to contact us should they wish to report any issues around crime or antisocial behaviour.

“We are seeing results and will continue to work closely with our partners and colleagues to ensure that this good work continues. Rest assured that we are listening to the concerns of the local community, and we are taking positive action.

“Again, I would encourage parents and carers in the area to know where their children are and what they’re getting up to, particularly with the school holidays approaching. There have been a number of reports of youths setting fires, so we’d also ask parents to check that their children don’t have access to lighters and matches.

“We are absolutely committed to making Hemlington a safer place to live for residents and everyone in the local community and we won’t tolerate behaviour which makes residents feel intimidated or unsafe.”

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