Crime Reduction Scheme in Middlesbrough Receives National Recognition
Tuesday, 08 July, 2008
A scheme to reduce the use of illegal and anti-social motorcycles has gained national recognition.
The 'Stop Them in Their Tracks' initiative, which is running in Middlesbrough has been announced as Regional Winner in the Tilley Awards 2008. This year is the tenth anniversary of the awards, which were set up to recognise schemes and projects that reduce crime.
The 'Stop Them in Their Tracks' initiative was set up about 18 months ago, when Neighbourhood Policing Teams consulted with local residents about issues affecting their quality of life.
In 14 out of the 23 Districts in Middlesbrough, the anti-social and illegal use of motorcycles was identified as an issue that was causing daily concern to members of the public.
A problem solving group was set up that included the Police, Safer Middlesbrough Partnership, Erimus Housing Tenancy Enforcement, Street Wardens, Fire Brigade, Trading Standards and Environmental Health.
The project involved working with young people and schools to warn them of the dangers and consequences of off-road biking, identification of hot spot areas and key times offending was taking place, additional patrols, enforcement operations to tackle offending, and a media campaign to target offenders and potential purchasers of off-road bikes in the run up to Christmas 2006.
Since June 2007, there has been a steady fall in the number of recorded incidents involving the anti-social or illegal use of motorcycles. The use of Section 59 warnings* by Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers has increased, as has the seizure of motorbikes.
The project continues to go from strength to strength, and elements have been adopted in the other three Districts in the Cleveland Police area to reduce nuisance caused by motorcycles.
PC Gary Cookland and PC Sharon Cooney have been involved in the project. PC Cookland said: "I'm delighted that the project has been awarded Regional Winner in the Tilley Awards. The scheme has certainly developed close working relationships between the Police and other agencies, and just goes to show what can be achieved through partnership working. As part of winning the award, we will be presenting the project at the National Problem Solving Conference in Leicestershire later this year as evidence of best practice."
Assistant Chief Constable Sean White of Cleveland Police said: "Achieving Regional Winner at The Tilley Awards is a true testament to the team's commitment to reducing crime in Middlesbrough. The scheme has resulted in some excellent partnership working being developed that we can build on for the future. This is what Neighbourhood Policing is all about -listening to people's concerns and the issues that affect their everyday life, and working with local communities and partner agencies to put in place long term sustainable solutions to those problems."
Rachel Beard, Communities Co-ordinator for the Safer Middlesbrough Partnership said: "This award is proof that when partners work together we can make real achievements; partners including Erimus housing, Cleveland Fire Brigade, Neighbourhood Safety Teams as well as street wardens all worked together on this issue which we know is top of the residents' agenda. We must build on this success and make it even harder for offenders to ride motorcycles illegally within Middlesbrough."
