Town centre crime and asb fall again

A strong and collaborative approach to delivering targeted initiatives – overseen by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council via the Newcastle Community Safety Partnership – is continuing to yield positive results, with latest data showing a trend of reducing incidences across all types of crime and anti-social behaviour when compared to 2023/24.

During the past 12 months –

• Reported crime has reduced by 11.1 per cent.
• Anti-social behaviour has fallen for a second time, by an additional 8.2 per cent.
• The number of CCTV cameras in and around the town centre has increased.
• The borough-wide Civic Pride initiative launched with a week of action in the town centre. It’s a response to feedback from residents and captures a lot of the work that already goes on under a unified #PrideInNUL badge.
• Community and business engagement has received a boost.
• Partnership working, and co-ordination of intelligence and resources, has improved.

The late night safe space at Lancaster Building, street medics, community wardens, the use of injunction powers and a comprehensive CCTV system – also covering subway routes – are just some of the measures employed by the council, Staffordshire Police and its partners to address safety priorities in the town centre.

In addition to standard patrols, and monthly safety drop-ins at Lancaster Building, further interventions include the safer nights scheme – where police officers carry out various checks with licensed premises and taxis at weekends – and active enforcement of the Public Space Protection Order, launched in January 2023, which prohibits a range of negative and unwanted behaviour.

Cllr. Gill Heesom, Cabinet member for Community Safety and Well-being, said:

The council, Staffordshire Police and other agencies have a significant focus and presence in Newcastle town centre as part of work to keep communities safe across Newcastle-under-Lyme. Together we have a very tight grip on crime and anti-social behaviour and as our work progresses to tackle these issues, it’s great to see that our tactics are having a positive impact on the look and feel of the town centre for everyone who visits.

 

Newcastle is a vibrant market town with a bustling night-time economy. Its community safety issues are certainly not unique but they can have a negative impact on overall perceptions of the area and we obviously want to limit this as much as possible.”

Out of 50 Community Protection Warnings and 21 Community Protection Notices given to troublemakers across the borough – targeting anti-social behaviour – more than half were issued in Newcastle town centre.

Council Leader Simon Tagg added:

The new figures are really encouraging and show that the council and its partners are making a visible difference to the town centre experience. The council is working really hard to make the area more vibrant and successful, and the foundation of that is creating the conditions where it’s as safe, welcoming and friendly as possible for everyone, including visitors and businesses.

 

It was great to promote this excellent work during the recent launch of our new Civic Pride campaign. The idea is to make a positive difference by creating a sense of pride across the borough and calling on residents to help play their part.”

The council and police have been invited to present a report on their success to the Safer and Stronger Communities Strategy Group, chaired by the Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner's Office (PFCC). The PFCC awards funds to borough and district councils each year to tackle priority community safety issues.