A COUNCIL leader has demanded more help from police in tackling increasing anti-social behaviour in Hartlepool.

Hartlepool council leader Christopher Akers-Belcher has raised his concerns about the increase anti-social behaviour with Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger.

In his letter he says: "As chair of the Safer Hartlepool Partnership, I am writing to raise my concerns about anti-social behaviour in Hartlepool which have increased by almost ten per cent during 2013/14 and are showing no signs of a reduction."

He raised concerns about local police resources being diverted away from early intervention and prevention, leading to an escalating problems, and said locals were concerned about a lack of police presence on the streets and decreasing confidence in the police.

He said: “I understand that policing across Cleveland, just like any other public service is becoming more difficult to deliver as cut backs and financial pressures impact on our ability to deliver the quality of service our communities deserve and expect.

“However, as the democratically elected Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland, I would urge you to continue to impress on Central Government the need to recognise the pressure it is placing on local services and the risks to public safety as a result of its austerity measures.

“Meanwhile, I would be grateful if you could investigate what could be done locally to address the level of Police resources coming into Hartlepool bearing in mind the longer term trends in relation to anti-social behaviour.”

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