This is why reported crime has increased across Hartlepool since the coronavirus lockdown

Official figures for April – the first full month since the March 23 lockdown – show that the overall number of alleged offences across Hartlepool increased by almost a quarter compared to March.

The 1,588 figure is also more than 10 per cent higher than in April last year with 809 anti-social behaviour complaints accounting for more than half of the latest total.

This compares to 339 such incidents in March this year and 390 in April 2019.

Cleveland Police say the new figures have been affected by the fact that breaches of the emergency lockdown legislation – such as groups of people gathering together – are classed as anti-social behaviour.

The Home Office statistics, which the Mail analyses monthly, usually see town centre streets dominate the list of hotspots with shoplifting and violence among the leading categories of offences.

But, with all bars and majority of larger shops closed, April’s statistics suggest problems have moved further afield.

Brierton Lane, with 25 incidents, was the scene of most anti-social behaviour complaints followed by Thackeray Road, in Rift House, with 11 cases.

Easington Road, Mardale Avenue, off Torquay Avenue, and Barbara Mann Court, near Murray Street, all recorded 10 complaints.

A Cleveland Police spokesman said: "All areas have seen a large rise in anti-social behaviour being recorded since the Covid-19 outbreak.

“This is impacted by incidents of the restrictions being broken being recorded as anti-social behaviour. For instance, reports of groups of people gathering."

March’s statistics initially showed a drop in reported crime following the March 23 lockdown.

But, with the onset of warmer weather and restrictions easing, May’s figures are likely to reveal another rise when they are released.

Cleveland Police reminded the public about social distancing guidelines at the start of this month after receiving nearly 300 forcewide coronavirus-related complaints over the final weekend of May.

Chief Superintendent Thom McLoughlin said: “The majority of these reports were of youths gathering in parks and in relation to house and street parties.”

April’s overall 1,588 figure for reported Hartlepool offences compares to 1,276 this March and 1,433 in April last year.

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