Crime in Penkhull and Stoke, Stoke-on-Trent

We’ve been actively listening to our business community, who have reported the significant impact this type of crime is having on both staff and shoppers. In response, we’ve completed a Designing Out Crime review in partnership with our Early Intervention and Prevention Unit, identifying environmental and procedural improvements to help deter offending. We have also focused operationally on identifying and targeting priority shoplifters, taking enforcement action including arrests where appropriate. In parallel, officers have been engaging directly with store security teams, working together to implement deterrents and banning known offenders from entering premises. We recognise that enforcement alone is not the solution, which is why we’ve worked closely with partner agencies to address the underlying causes of retail crime, such as homelessness and wider challenges. Regular rough sleeper outreach and welfare checks have been carried out in the town centre to ensure support is offered where needed. To help prevent issues, we've shared public safety messages to shoppers around vehicle crime prevention, reminding people to secure their vehicles and keep valuables out of sight when using local car parks. Looking ahead, this area will remain a key focus for us. We will continue to use Civil Powers, such as Community Protection Warnings (CPWs) and Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs), to manage persistent offenders and support safer retail environments.

Operation Alcaic continues focused on tackling vehicle crime. We now have a dedicated officer leading on this priority, and early results have already seen several key arrests. This operation closely links with our ongoing work under Operation Transom, targeting anti-social behaviour involving nuisance motorbikes. We are working in close partnership with our Roads Policing Team, using specialist tactics, NPAS (police helicopter), and drone technology to identify and apprehend offenders. These crimes are not only causing financial loss and distress to victims but also endangering the lives of both the offenders and other road users. We remain committed to taking robust enforcement action and encourage all residents to secure their bikes, keep them out of sight where possible, and report any suspicious activity or intelligence to us.

To address this, we have developed and implemented a dedicated disruption plan led by the neighbourhood policing team. This includes enhanced high-visibility patrols and close partnership working with the local authority, the Rough Sleeper Outreach Team, CDAS (Community Drug and Alcohol Services), and the management team at Adullam Life House. Recent activity has seen the successful clearance of multiple encampments, the issuing of a Section 34 Dispersal Order to combat anti-social behaviour, and ongoing intelligence gathering around drug supply networks in the area. We recognise that many of the individuals involved are vulnerable, and we are committed to taking a balanced approach by combining proportionate enforcement with access to support services aimed at long-term rehabilitation and stability. This enhanced focus will continue over the coming months, and we are already receiving positive feedback from the community as a result of our recent actions.

Problem Solving Policing has also seen an increase in high visibility patrols to assist in tackling ASB, and I know the local community have enjoyed seeing officer out on the street, taking the opportunity to engage and talk through local concerns.

To address this, we have developed and implemented a dedicated disruption plan led by the neighbourhood policing team. This includes enhanced high-visibility patrols and close partnership working with the local authority, the Rough Sleeper Outreach Team, CDAS (Community Drug and Alcohol Services), and the management team at Adullam Life House. Recent activity has seen the successful clearance of multiple encampments, the issuing of a Section 34 Dispersal Order to combat anti-social behaviour, and ongoing intelligence gathering around drug supply networks in the area. We recognise that many of the individuals involved are vulnerable, and we are committed to taking a balanced approach, combining proportionate enforcement with access to support services aimed at long-term rehabilitation and stability. This enhanced focus will continue over the coming months, and we are already receiving positive feedback from the community as a result of our recent actions.