'Good building blocks' for beating crime in Hartlepool with extra police and other improvements

Acting chief inspector Mark Haworth, from Cleveland Police, has provided an update on progress being made to increase police numbers and neighbourhood resources in Hartlepool.

He said they are now up to around 32 officers in Hartlepool, with the number expected to increase further over the next year.

Speaking to the Safer Hartlepool Partnership, he said they have taken positive steps to tackle numerous issues in recent months

Acting chief inspector Haworth said: “I’ve seen the significant amount of good policing that’s taken place with the neighbourhood policing teams.

“There’s a positive contribution from the community safety team and over the last few months, we know that we are building some real good building blocks for our communities around vulnerability, victims first, problem solving and reducing the risk.

“We’re up to 32 officers within the department, that’s both police officers and PCSOs.”

He added ongoing problems which they are currently looking to address in the town include off-road motorcycles and the ‘chaos’ it causes, along other issues linked to antisocial behaviour.

The acting chief inspector also praised the collaborative working in the town to address issues through the community safety team, and the investment from Cleveland Police Chief Constable Richard Lewis in neighbourhood policing.

He said: “The investment from the Chief Constable, who stated his intention to re-establish neighbourhood policing, is evidenced by the support that I’m being given to do my daily job.

“The partnership working that we’ve done is second to none for Hartlepool, the partners are absolutely superb.

“Neighbourhood policing has returned to support the integrated community safety team and during that time it’s only seen us go from strength to strength”

A community safety team meeting between all partners takes place every morning to discuss what is being done, and helps ensure everyone is ‘on the same page’ the officer added.

It was also noted there is now a dedicated police officer in Hartlepool to visit schools and some youth clubs, to help educate young people.

Cllr Shane Moore, Hartlepool Borough Council leader and chair of the Safer Hartlepool Partnership, praised the impact of increased neighbourhood policing.

He said: “We really do welcome the return of neighbourhood policing, obviously it’s something that the communities that we represent have wanted to see for a long time.

“It has that added benefit for you as operational police officers, because you’re getting back on the ground and you’re getting that local intelligence, which helps no end with numerous other issues.

“I think it’s great to see how many officers you now have working in the department, both PCs and PCSOs.”

He also thanked police for their work in trying to tackle ‘nuisance’ off-road vehicles, adding it is an ongoing problem for numerous areas of the town.

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