Hotspot policing patrols get underway as part of crackdown
Targeted policing patrols to clamp down on anti-social behaviour have come into force this week as the nation marks ASB Awareness Week.
County Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has secured Home Office funding worth £2m over the next year to pilot urgent action to tackle ASB. Additional funding for the project is being provided in 2024/25.
Durham Constabulary, working in collaboration with partners including the council, Durham County Council and the Fire and Rescue Service, is one of 16 ‘trailblazer' areas to be implementing the government's Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan. The pilot will deliver robust enforcement in areas with the worst problems and a new immediate justice service where perpetrators of ASB will receive swift and visible punishment in their communities within 48 hours of being reprimanded. It will also see the police working together with other agencies to develop sustainable solutions.
The first hotspot policing patrols got underway this week with the aim to increase the speed at which problems can be dealt with and help deter offenders from bringing misery on their communities.
Activities will be monitored regularly to measure the success of the programme. Communities in the hotspot areas will see an increased presence of police and partners over the coming weeks. They will also see the roll out of immediate justice whereby those who commit ASB will be clearing their own mess.
Commissioner Allen said: "I have made it clear since I became Commissioner that I will not tolerate the torment and distress ASB offenders inflict on our communities.
"The roll out of hotspot policing from this week will see ASB treated with the energy and urgency it deserves - this is what local people have told me they want.
"The Durham Constabulary area is already delivering outstanding results with ASB down 16.4 per cent over the last quarter of 2022-23. This investment will help us to keep the momentum going, and I will do everything I can as Commissioner to ensure the county receives the support it needs beyond this two-year programme."
Deputy Chief Constable Ciaron Irvine said: "Anti-social behaviour is not a low-level crime, it can have a real and lasting impact on the communities we serve and we will do all we can to tackle the problem and deal with the perpetrators.
"Levels of anti-social behaviour have fallen sharply over recent months as a direct result of police and partner action, but more needs to be done because every member of our community should have the right to go about their lives free from intimidation and harassment.
"Crime and disorder are not evenly spread across our communities. A handful of persistent perpetrators can cause a disproportionate problem, or we see the same problems recurring at the same location again and again.
"This new approach and the welcome funding which goes with it means our officers and resources can be deployed to take effective action in those hot spot areas where they are needed most."
Amanda Riley, cabinet member for stronger communities, said: "As a council we are determined to crack down on anti-social behaviour and ensure the minority who cause issues for others are stopped. We are working across all our services to stop anti-social behaviour blighting people's lives and welcome this news from the PCC."
Hotspot policing will tackle issues such as street drinking, drunken behaviour, vandalism, criminal damage, fly-tipping and other environmental problems that cause distress.
Hotspot areas to be targeted:
Darlington
- Park East (including town centre)
- Stephenson
- North Road
- Northgate
- Red Hall Lingfield
- Cockerton
- Haughton and Springfield
- Bank Top and Lascelles