Yahoo News Falling crime figures in Stockton hailed by leaders: 'Absolutely incredible'
A trend of falling crime statistics has continued in Stockton, with leaders hailing the results "incredible".
Almost all crimes had fallen in the past year compared to the year before, with home burglaries reduced by 36%, public disorder down 27%, stalking and harassment 23%, business burglaries 17%, robbery 15%, violence 14% and sexual offences 11%. Temporary Chief Inspector Andy Evans from Cleveland Police said they were "really positive reductions".
The figures show a total of 21,118 crimes between October 2023 and October 2024, down by more than 3,200 on the previous year. Temp Chf Insp Evans for neighbourhoods in Stockton said: "The positive part is the 13.3% reduction in crimes recorded, which is always going to be something we look at favourably."
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Anti-social behaviour reports fell by 7%. Service requests to the council's civic enforcement team, such as noise and alcohol issues, fell by 16%, with reductions in begging and rowdy or nuisance behaviour incidents.
Temp Chf Insp Evans told the Safer Stockton Partnership today (November 27) anti-social behaviour was discussed every morning: "On a daily basis we'll highlight all the calls that have been made, any trends that are in place, any repeat callers, so we've got that appropriate level of scrutiny across all partners and we react to the concerns of the public.
"The key now is making sure we're engaging with communities and local councillors to make sure we're not missing any under-reported offences that are going on. I know that's one of the keys is off-road bike issues, when people say it's happening, we haven't had any reports of it. The key thing is just getting the message out - tell us when things are happening then we can react accordingly and hopefully we can put things in place to prevent them.
"There's been a lot of work ongoing in relation to stalking. We had the Operation Artemis violence against women and girls themed day last week where there was some really positive work carried out across the force. We work with local charities and support agencies to make sure not only are we investigating crimes, we're providing that level of support to victims as well.
'I've been mightily impressed'
"There's been some great arrests recently that have led to these reductions. It just needs that constant oversight to make sure we maintain it."
Only drug trafficking had risen in the year-on-year comparison, by 65%. Temp Chf Insp Evans said: "There is a lot of work ongoing into organised crime and how we can tackle that. I think some of that will be down to some of the great work that's already been conducted and some of the arrests made and sentences that have been passed.
"And I can assure you, there's numerous instances that are going to be coming to fruition soon that we'll be able to broadcast to the public just to reassure them, we are tackling the problem there."
He pointed to success in the Ropner ward where the Home Office's "Clear, Hold, Build" approach was being used: "I think it's definitely down to the partnership work that's been ongoing and the problem-solving mindset. I've been mightily impressed by the way we link in with everyone here, with housing, the local authority and councillors.
'Further reductions coming'
"It's that joined approach that has led to these reductions. I think the key is to maintain the momentum, ensure we're engaging with communities, telling them what we're doing and why we're doing it, making sure it's aligning to their needs.
"I think there should be further reductions coming. We've got a restructure of staff coming in January, neighbourhood staff, which I hope will assist us in being more appropriately resourced. A lot of positive stuff there but a lot of work still to go."
Councillor Steve Nelson, the council's cabinet member for health, leisure and culture, said: "The figures are absolutely incredible. Every single crime area is down and I've never seen that in all the years I've been on this partnership. These figures don't come down like that with organisations acting in isolation.
"Even in the area it's gone up, trafficking of drugs, my understanding of it is that's a positive because it means it's pro-active policing. Those are crime figures the police have generated themselves so it gives me reassurance the police are cracking down on organised crime groups, drug trafficking and they're having success doing it. Absolutely brilliant figures."
Other statistics gave one-month snapshots of crime figures, comparing October 2024 to October 2023. Here total crime was down 8% with several reductions but also increases of 27% in sexual offences, 31% robbery, 44% shoplifting, 28% criminal damage and arson, 25% drug offences and 39% weapon possession.
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