Drug dealing & Drug use:
You said: Issues relating to drug use and dealing has continued to cause a concern, especially in open spaces. You have seen the impact it’s been having in the community.

What we are going to do: We will continue to patrol the open spaces and build intelligence re. people dealing drugs and arrest offenders. We will also continue to liaise with partner agencies to target addresses of note and provide supportive measures to those who will accept it. Engagements in key areas will continue to be arranged.

January: A joint visit with Community Safety was conducted at an address where we were receiving lots of intelligence around drug dealing. This helped identify residents living there and build a picture of any potential county lines. Officers also completed a walkthrough of Castle Gardens with the Parks team from the council to discuss how best to prevent drug related issues, specifically in the darker hours. Proactive work from the team identified drug dealing in progress which resulted in 2 arrests and suspects put on bail for possession with intent to supply offences.

February: This month we have proactively targeted those involved in drug use and drug dealing. A section 23 misuse of drugs act warrant was executed at an address on Sawday Street whereby 157 cannabis plants were found and seized. An adult male was arrested, charged and remanded for production of cannabis and abstract electricity. He is still on remand and awaiting trial. During a specific operation, an adult male was found in possession of 127 wraps of Class A drugs, with weapons in his bag too. He was also outstanding for a warrant issued by the courts. He has been charged and remanded into custody. During the same operation, a juvenile was also found in possession of 114 wraps and 15 rocks of Class A drugs. He has been released on bail and all safeguarding measures explored.

March: This month, work has continued to target dedicated drug lines and county lines issues. Working with the council, a closure order has been gained for a property believed to be running a county line as well as in depth investigations into serious assaults linked to it. County lines have a huge impact on the community and vulnerable people so targeting these allows us to provide intervention and support at the earliest opportunity. Officers have also obtained the ground to stop search numerous people in Castle Gardens where possession of drugs have been found, with over 5 subsequently arrested. This has recently been a hotspot for drug use and anti-social behaviour.

Anti-social Behaviour:
You said: Anti-social behaviour has increased around the beat, specifically involving juveniles and open spaces.

What we are going to do: We will increase patrols in ASB hotspots as well as using data to pick out the appropriate times to be there. We will liaise with partner agencies and use an incremental approach to those causing the most harm. Police engagements will be arranged to increase awareness and be in a position to offer support to those being affected.

January: The team have monitored any reports of burglary on the beat and been out to offer reassurance and complete quick time enquiries to help identify offenders. Leaflets have been posted around the residential areas to raise awareness of burglaries and provide a reminder of how best to keep your property safe and secure. Patrols have been completed around the times of reported incidents to help deter offenders, more specifically around the Jarrom Street areas.

February: This month, work has been conducted to pinpoint exact times, dates and trends of offenders committing residential burglaries. Plain clothes officers have been deployed in areas to patrol and engage with people in the area. PCSO’s have been educating residents of the risk of leaving doors and windows unlocked. Numerous people have been stop searched and we found the people searched were linked to burglaries and drug use combined. Fortunately, the reported incidents of burglary has significantly reduced however, safety measures should still be abided by and residents are still being encouraged to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious behaviour to police. Messages are being sent out on our social media channels and neighbourhood link regularly.

March: Residential burglaries on the beat have significantly decreased. The team have patrolled key areas where reports were coming in. Specific planned operations were conducted throughout March targeting known offenders and arresting them when found. This resulted in 2 offenders being remanded into custody. PCSO’s have held engagements with residents around the Jarrom Street, Grasmere Street, Ullswater Road etc areas, as well as raising awareness through De Montfort University.

Theft Offences:
You said: Theft as a whole causes concern to the public and businesses. This includes theft from motor vehicles and theft of push bikes.

What we are going to do: We will increase patrols around large public car parks and hold engagements with the public to raise awareness of issues in the area. We will also hold engagements to help register pushbikes and provide safety advice on how best to secure your bike.

January: Reports of theft has maintained the same since Christmas, where we would usually see a decrease. The team have arrested numerous offenders and obtained Criminal Behaviour Orders in court to prevent them from re-attending. Sgt Wilson held meetings with area managers of a retail chain to discuss how best to tackle and prevent further offending, which include identifying the prolific offenders and bringing them to justice.

February: Theft stores remains a priority on the beat. Reports are still being made but mainly from around the Grasmere Street area. The beat team have worked well in identifying offenders with another 4 being arrested, and 2 new Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBO’s) being obtained from the courts. In doing this allows us to prevent offenders from returning to the stores and surrounding areas, and if they breach it, a power of arrest is attached to the order. Some of our stores on the beat fall within hotspots, so officers are regularly patrolling nearby, and this month has shown this to be effective, with a male being arrested 2 minutes after a theft being reported. Our aim is to work with the stores and reduce the theft from stores even further.

March: Theft from stores decreased this month. This was down to the amount of active Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBO’s) we have in place for offenders, preventing them from attending the location and being arrested if they did. Officers continued to patrol the right areas and were investigating reported incidents efficiently, identifying offenders and arresting them in as quickly as possible. Work with store managers has continued to raise awareness of what to do if suspects are on scene and when to report to the police.