Crime in Little Chell and Stanfield, Stoke-on-Trent

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 and will continue to be used during the Spring and Summer months. This has also involved local officers engaging with petrol stations, schools and completing joint visits with local housing officers to problem properties. We ask all members of public to report anything they deem suspicious to the police using 101, the Staffordshire police website or Crimestoppers.

Local residents have expressed concerns over drug use in the local neighbourhood. Our local officers are working hard to collate intelligence which allows us to action Warrants and work with the council regarding tenancy of offenders. If you suspect illegal drug use in your local area, we encourage members of the public to report this to police using 101, the online reporting system or Crimestoppers. We will work with partners to support persons where possible but will also look to disrupt and be robust regarding repeat offenders.

Local residents have reported and increase in teenagers and young people congregating in groups and seeming intimidating. Some are also causing anti-social behaviour to local residents and local shops. We remind all parents and guardians to please ensure you know where your children are and what they are doing and remind them that their behaviour may upset and alarm local residents if they are acting anti-socially. We are working hard with PCSO’s, local schools, Social services and the council to ensure that all reports of ASB including young people are taken seriously and we look to educate them going forward. Repeat offenders will have action taken against them.

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.

The "Making Great Places" initiative in Tunstall aims to address community concerns and improve public spaces. Local officers are engaging with residents to discuss issues affecting the area, focusing on crime reduction and community safety. Recent consultations revealed that 76% of people agree on improving public spaces, with proposals including new tree planting and outdoor market stalls. Additionally, a £4.5 million plan is underway to enhance public spaces around the town center, with feedback from residents to guide the improvements. Overall, the initiative is focused on creating a cleaner, safer, and greener environment for residents and visitors.