Crime in Headland & Harbour, Hartlepool

Tackling the illegal and dangerous use of off‑road bikes, e‑scooters and e‑bikes remains a key priority for the ward. These vehicles cause significant disruption, pose serious risks to pedestrians and road users, and contribute to wider anti‑social behaviour. Over recent months, however, we have seen a significant decrease in reports. This reduction is the direct result of targeted policing activity, strong partnership working, and the successful “designing out” of crime in hotspot locations. By removing opportunities for offenders and making key areas less accessible for illegal riding, we have been able to make a noticeable and positive impact.

We remain committed to working closely with our community and partner organisations to address this issue in every way possible. In several locations, we have taken steps to redesign or adapt the physical environment to prevent access for off‑road bikes and other illegal vehicles. This includes installing barriers, improving lighting, altering pathways, and working with local authority teams to identify long‑term environmental solutions. These measures have already helped reduce offending in areas that were previously persistent hotspots.

Education is also a central part of our approach. We are increasing our engagement with local schools and youth settings to raise awareness about the dangers and consequences of using illegal e‑scooters and e‑bikes. Many young people are unaware that these vehicles cannot legally be used on public roads or pavements, or that they can be seized and destroyed. By helping young people understand the risks to themselves, to others, and to their future opportunities we aim to prevent these behaviours before they begin. Early intervention remains one of the most effective tools in reducing long‑term harm.

Community intelligence continues to play a vital role in our work. We rely heavily on information from residents about where these vehicles are being stored or used. When we know where they are kept, we can take action to remove them from the streets. Seized vehicles are not returned or resold they are destroyed, ensuring they cannot cause further harm or be passed on to new riders. This process is essential in breaking the cycle of repeat offending and preventing illegal vehicles from circulating within the community.

Our commitment to enforcement remains strong. We will continue to use all available powers to seize illegal vehicles, prosecute offenders, and disrupt organised groups involved in supplying or modifying them. At the same time, we will maintain our focus on prevention, education, and partnership working to ensure long‑term, sustainable improvements.

By combining targeted enforcement, environmental design, community reporting, and youth engagement, we aim to keep our neighbourhoods safe, reduce harm, and maintain the downward trend in incidents involving off‑road bikes, e‑scooters and e‑bikes.

Violence related offences have been raised as a concern within the ward, and residents have rightly raised worries about the impact these incidents have on feelings of safety and overall community confidence. While the number of incidents is not high compared to other crime types, the harm they cause is significant, and we remain fully committed to addressing them. Many of the violence related offences we respond to are closely linked to drug‑related activity or are an escalation of earlier anti‑social behaviour. This pattern highlights the importance of early intervention, problem‑solving, and strong partnership working to prevent situations from developing into more serious harm.

We continue to work closely with partner agencies, including local authority teams, youth services, housing providers, and community organisations, to identify individuals and locations where tensions may be rising. By sharing information and coordinating our approach, we can intervene earlier, support vulnerable individuals, and reduce the likelihood of incidents escalating into violence. This joined‑up approach ensures that enforcement, safeguarding, and prevention all work hand‑in‑hand.

Having nominated ward officers plays a crucial role in this work. Their high‑visibility and regular presence across the ward provides reassurance to residents and acts as a strong deterrent to those who may be involved in violence or drug‑related offending. These officers build relationships with local people, gather valuable intelligence, and respond quickly to emerging issues. Their visibility helps reduce fear of crime and strengthens trust between the community and policing teams.

We will continue to target those responsible for violence, particularly where it is linked to drug supply or persistent anti‑social behaviour. Through proactive patrols, intelligence‑led activity, and partnership‑driven problem‑solving, we aim to prevent further harm and ensure that offenders are held accountable. At the same time, we remain committed to supporting individuals at risk of being drawn into violence, helping them access the services and interventions needed to change direction.

Our priority is to keep the ward safe, reduce harm, and maintain a strong, visible presence that reassures residents and deters those who may cause violence within our community.

Hartlepool continues to experience a range of anti‑social behaviour (ASB) challenges that are closely linked to wider environmental and community issues, including persistent fly‑tipping, derelict buildings, deliberate fires, and the misuse of off‑road bikes (ORBs). These issues often overlap, creating hotspots where nuisance behaviour, criminality, and community harm converge. Hartlepool Police remain committed to tackling these problems through a coordinated, intelligence‑led approach supported by strong partnership working across the town.

A key part of this work is delivered through **Operation Aster**, our dedicated town‑centre initiative aimed at reducing ASB, improving visibility, and supporting businesses, residents, and visitors. Through targeted patrols, problem‑solving activity, and close collaboration with the local authority, Cleveland Fire Brigade, social housing providers, and other partners, Operation Aster has already delivered meaningful results. The operation has significantly reduced ASB within the town centre, contributing to a safer and more welcoming environment and supporting wider improvements across the town.

Environmental ASB remains a priority. Fly‑tipping and derelict buildings often attract youth gatherings, vandalism, and deliberate fire‑setting, placing additional strain on emergency services and increasing risk to the public. Working closely with the local authority’s environmental teams and Cleveland Fire Brigade, we are identifying problem locations, increasing patrols, and taking enforcement action where necessary. Joint visits, shared intelligence, and rapid responses to emerging hotspots are helping to break the cycle of repeat ASB linked to these areas.

To manage persistent offenders and prevent escalation, we make extensive use of **AS13 reports**, which allow officers to record, track, and respond to repeat ASB through early intervention and education. These interventions often involve home visits, warnings, and referrals to support services. However, where individuals continue to offend despite repeated opportunities to change their behaviour, we have escalated cases to **Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs)** to provide stronger, enforceable restrictions.

Alongside enforcement, we remain focused on protecting those most at risk. We utilise **Vulnerability Risk Assessment Meetings (VRAMs)** to identify, support, and safeguard vulnerable victims affected by ASB. Through these meetings, police and partner agencies share information, assess risk, and put tailored support plans in place to ensure victims receive the help they need and are protected from further harm.

Hartlepool Police remain committed to reducing ASB in all its forms. Through Operation Aster, strong partnership working, and a balanced approach of prevention, intervention, enforcement, and safeguarding, we continue to make the town safer and more resilient for everyone.

We remain committed to working closely with our community and partner organisations to address this issue in every way possible. In several locations, we have taken steps to ‘design out’ the hotspots where these problems most often occur, as well as the areas regularly reported to us. Education is also a key part of our approach, and we are increasing our work with local schools to raise awareness about the dangers and consequences of using illegal e scooters and bikes. By helping young people understand the risks, we aim to prevent these behaviours before they begin. We also rely heavily on information from residents about where these vehicles are being stored. When we know where they are kept, we can remove them from the streets, ensuring they are destroyed rather than sold on. Community reporting remains essential in helping us keep our neighbourhoods safe and free from illegal vehicles.

Shop theft remains a persistent challenge, and we continue to work closely with stores across the town, including local managers and regional leads, to reduce the losses faced by businesses targeted by offenders. Through detailed Problem Solving Plans and clear, shared action plans, we have created a consistent approach that everyone can work to. This targeted activity, combined with a high visibility policing presence, has led to noticeable reductions in reported shop theft in several key locations. Our focus remains on early identification of offenders, swift intervention, and sustained prevention. Where individuals use or threaten violence during these offences, we will always seek Criminal Behaviour Orders to restrict their behaviour and protect staff and customers. By combining strong partnerships, visible policing, and the effective use of civil and criminal legislation, we are continuing to make a positive impact on retail crime across the area.