New local priorities set for Stevenage

Over the past few months, Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) across Stevenage have been working hard to tackle their local policing priorities - the issues that residents said were causing them the most concern.

NPTs work alongside partner agencies, including Stevenage Borough Council, to focus on solving long and short-term neighbourhood issues, such as anti-social behaviour, theft, speeding and drug-related crime.

The three NPT teams in Stevenage set local policing priorities every four months, providing a specific focus on the issues that residents have raised through surveys, and an analysis of other data.

The dedicated teams of PCs and PCSOs will work alongside partners to tackle the issues, through an increased police presence, engagement events and targeted enforcement.

During the last period the following issues were addressed:

Central Stevenage

• Regular patrols of the town centre have been used to address anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the town centre. In addition to this the continuation of Operation Scoot to tackle cycling and illegal use of e-scooters has been in place. Various arrests for shoplifting and breaches of orders have been recorded with several people being charged and dealt with at court.
• Speeding. Regular speed monitoring and enforcement patrols have taken place in Central Stevenage.

The following priorities have now been agreed for the next four months:

• Continue work to deter ASB in the town centre in the upcoming summer months.
• Tackle drug use, and supply, in the public spaces such as the Town Centre Gardens and Hampson Park.

North Stevenage

• Work has been conducted to tackle theft, begging, street drinking, drug dealing and substance misuse and associated ASB. Warrants have been executed at addresses in the area, resulting in arrests for drug related crime. Patrols are regularly carried around The Oval, where numerous arrests have been made in connection with drug related crime.
• In a bid to address nuisance driving and vehicles across the area, numerous e-bikes and e-scooters have been seized under Op Scoot. Speeding operations in Martins Way, Canterbury Way, Ripon Road, and Wedgewood Way have been conducted, resulting in fines being issued.

The following priorities have now been agreed for the next four months:

• Speed enforcement in Canterbury Way, North Road and Vardon Road.
• Drugs and related issues in all north wards, but specifically in Wisden Road, Vardon Road, Fairview Road, Meadway and North Road.
• Target theft from motor vehicles with a primary focus in the Old Town Ward, but extending across all North Wards.

South Stevenage

• Additional patrols were conducted to tackle nuisance vehicles along Broadhall Way, particularly late at night and on weekends. In addition, the area has seen the installation of CCTV, while officers spoke to drivers and gave leaflet warnings.
• Officers have been patrolling anti-social behaviour hotspot areas in parks and green spaces and engaging with local residents. CCTV has been installed in certain areas as a deterrent.

The following priorities have now been agreed for the next four months:

• Tackle retail crime and support local businesses.
• Target ASB involving bikes and e-scooters.

As well as the NPT, Stevenage is also policed by response officers who respond to emergency calls, and detectives in CID who investigate crimes such as burglary, robbery and assault. In addition, we can utilise officers from central teams which work countywide and include our dedicated sexual offences team, child protection teams and domestic abuse team.

To take part in our priority setting surveys and to keep up to date with what is happening in Stevenage you can join the ‘Herts Connected’ community messaging service. Sign up for free at Herts Connected.