Yahoo News Taskforce launched to tackle antisocial behaviour in Grimsby town centre continues with arrests and fines
Three people have been arrested and five fixed penalty notices issued in Grimsby as part of Op Mastery – a scheme to help make the town centre a safer place to be.
A total of 40 motorists were also spoken to about driving regulations in the area, as part of the initiative’s second day of action. The new Op Mastery taskforce saw Humberside Police again join forces with North East Lincolnshire Council’s Antisocial Behaviour (ASB) team, the Environmental Enforcement Waste Investigations Support and Enforcement (WISE), the Rough Sleeping Co-ordinator supported by Harbour Place and Navigo, and Equans’ Civil Enforcement Officers and CCTV team.
This first “pilot” operation is being carried out every month, with four-weekly monitoring carried out to target the main town centre issues. The team aims to remind people of the consequences of causing problems in the area.
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All Op Mastery outcomes will also be sent to town centre business owners by the 2025 Town Centre Ambassador, so they are aware of the on-going commitment to make the area a safer place. During the second day of action, teams spent a number of hours tackling issues with rough sleepers and advising drivers on the rules of the road in certain areas of Grimsby.
The teams were stationed along Victoria Street and George Street. The day saw a number of positive results, including:
One arrest for a failing to appear warrant
One arrest for multiple shop thefts
One arrest for breach of a court order
One arrest for breach of sexual offences notification
One ticket for breaching of parking regulations
40 drivers spoken to in relation to traffic regulations in George Street
Five FPNs issued by WISE team
One drunk-driver called into police
Following the results, North East Lincolnshire Council’s street cleansing team also conducted a deep clean of Victoria Street, accompanied by a police patrol in the area. Thanking all those taking part, Cllr Ron Shepherd, the council’s portfolio holder for stronger and safer communities, explained how the action was in response to issues that people have spoken about in the town centre.
He said, while similar issues were experienced in other towns and cities across the country, partners in Grimsby were determined to show communities that they are committed to taking action to deter such behaviours. “As we continue with this every month, without fail, it will be clear to those offenders that they will be found and are not welcome in our town centre streets.
“We hope too, that at key times in the day, people will feel more comfortable visiting our town centre or doing business there. It is also important that those who need help, receive it.
“For example, the rough sleepers that we see. This operation means that we have an expert there who can offer them support if they need and want it.”
Inspector Claire Jacobs, neighbourhood policing inspector for Grimsby West, said: “We continue to work closely with partnership agencies, as part of our ongoing work to tackle criminality and antisocial behaviour within our community. Taking part in days of action like this means we can speak with our local residents and find out about any concerns which they may have and show those who think it is acceptable to commit such behaviour that we will not tolerate it in our area.”
