Crime in Ford Green and Smallthorne, Stoke-on-Trent

Off-road bikes on the nature reserve and groups of youths at local restaurants/stores continues to be a focus. The use of Section 59 notices and Community Protection Warnings/Notices have been, and continue to be, used to tackle this unacceptable behaviour.

We are aware of the on going concerns raised by residents and members of the community about the use of off road bikes. As a result, our road crime team will continue to spend time in the areas. We have arranged targets operations using a variety of resources including our road crime team, Staffs off road bikes, drones and the fixed wing plane. This has been on going through the summer. This has also involved local officers engaging with petrol stations schools and joint visits with local housing officers to address problem properties. Operation Transom and Operation Reclaim is our response to nuisance off-road bikes. In conjunction with the Local Authority, we are trying to identify riders of the bikes, both through police reported incidents and information received by the Local Authority. Where the evidence allows, we are carrying out seizures of bikes and prosecuting riders. There have been occasions where riders have been identified as residing in Local Authority housing and tenancy breach action has been taken.

This has been identified as an area historically high in serious violence and as such, is an area dedicated for patrols using government funding with officers carrying out foot patrols in the worst affected streets. Other locations have been identified for ASB mainly from gathering youths and other areas have been targeted for patrols by PCSOs in support of youth provision for the area.

Following feedback from local residents, drug use and drug dealing have been identified as ongoing concerns within the area. In response, local neighbourhood officers will increase their visibility through regular foot patrols and engagement with the community. Officers will take proactive and positive action against those involved in drug-related activity, working to deter offending and reduce the impact these issues have on local residents. Our aim is to create a safer, more secure environment for everyone living and working in the area.