Pallister Park/Berwick Hills and Hemlington both benefited from £696,611.01-worth of Home Office funding as part of Safer Streets 4 (SS4) in the 12 months to October 2023.
Both areas have seen major reductions in antisocial behaviour, criminal damage and arson and public order offences.
Combined figures* for the two areas show that since SS4 came into operation in 2022:
• Antisocial behaviour has gone down by 64 per cent
• Criminal damage has reduced by 60 per cent
• Public order offences have decreased by 38 per cent
Figures were even more impressive for Hemlington, where:
- Antisocial behaviour fell by 65 per cent
- Public order offences went down by 44 per cent
Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matt Storey said: “Cleveland OPCC has been successful in securing funding for the most vulnerable neighbourhoods as part of every round of Safer Streets since it launched in 2020.
“These results show that targeting the worst-hit areas in the force with a range of practical and environmental measures really works.
“Working in partnership with a range of organisations means that we can maximise our resources – and therefore, increase potential benefits for residents, using the limited budget available.”
SS4 set out to tackle cut criminal damage, arson, attacks on emergency services, serious violence, burglary, drug use and drug dealing in public places in target locations.
According to a report by key partner Middlesbrough Council, residents in both areas felt safer after SS4 was introduced.
The report shows that 52.27 per cent of people from both areas felt safe during the day. That compares to just 34.61 per cent before SS4 took place.
Residents also felt safer after dark, less intimidated by gangs and more involved in local decision-making following the project.
Cleveland OPCC led the partnership, which included Middlesbrough Council, Thirteen Housing and Cleveland Police.
SS4 saw a number of crime-busting measures installed across both communities including extra lighting, CCTV and rails to deter nuisance bikes.
An underpass on Cass House Road, in Hemlington, was blocked off and alleyways under bedrooms on the same estate were closed to prevent people gathering and causing antisocial behaviour.
