Foggy Furze

Tackling Drug Dealing and Substance Misuse

Drug dealing and substance misuse have been identified by residents and community partners as ongoing issues affecting the ward, and Cleveland Police remain committed to proactively tackling both the supply and use of controlled drugs. We recognise the significant harm that drug-related activity causes to individuals, families, neighbourhoods, and local businesses, as well as the risks it poses to young and vulnerable people who may be exploited by those involved in criminal networks.
Our priority is to reduce the impact of drug-related crime by targeting those individuals who profit from the supply of illegal substances and cause the greatest harm within our communities. Through proactive policing, intelligence-led operations, and targeted patrols, officers will continue to identify and disrupt those involved in drug dealing and associated criminality. Recent enforcement activity has demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach, with a number of drug-related arrests resulting from proactive police encounters that have identified controlled substances and uncovered wider criminal activity.
Protecting vulnerable people remains central to our response. Criminals involved in drug supply often seek to exploit children, young people, and adults who may be vulnerable due to personal circumstances. We will continue to work with safeguarding partners and specialist services to identify those at risk, provide appropriate support, and ensure that offenders who exploit others are robustly dealt with through the criminal justice system.
We also recognise the links between drug dealing and other forms of criminality, including the sale of illegal cigarettes, tobacco, and vapes. These products present significant health risks and can provide a source of income for organised crime groups. Working alongside partners, including Trading Standards and local authority teams, we
will continue to target those involved in the sale and distribution of illicit goods to disrupt criminal activity and protect the wider community.
Education and prevention are key elements of our long-term approach. Officers will continue to engage with schools, colleges, youth groups, and community organisations to raise awareness of the dangers associated with drug and substance misuse. By helping young people understand the health risks, legal consequences, and potential for exploitation, we aim to build resilience and prevent involvement in drug-related activity before it begins.
Working closely with local authorities, housing providers, health services, community organisations, and residents, Cleveland Police will continue to take a coordinated approach that combines enforcement, safeguarding, prevention, and education. Through strong partnership working and proactive policing, we will continue to reduce drug-related harm, disrupt criminal networks, safeguard vulnerable people, and make our communities safer places to live, work, and visit.

Reducing Violence and Anti-Social Behaviour

Violence and anti-social behaviour (ASB) continue to be key concerns raised by residents, businesses, and community partners across the ward. Community feedback gathered through resident meetings, engagement events, and neighbourhood policing activity highlights the ongoing impact that disorder, intimidation, nuisance behaviour, anti-social vehicle use, and violence can have on people’s quality of life and feelings of safety. These issues are often interconnected, with persistent ASB creating an environment where criminality and violent incidents can occur, causing harm to individuals and communities alike.
We are committed to reducing both violence and ASB through a proactive approach focused on prevention, enforcement, education, and partnership working. Our neighbourhood teams will continue to target locations and individuals responsible for causing the greatest levels of harm, using high-visibility patrols, intelligence-led deployments, and problem-solving initiatives to address community concerns and provide reassurance to residents.
Anti-social vehicle use remains a particular concern for the community, with reports of excessive speeding, dangerous driving, nuisance motorcycles, vehicle gatherings, and inconsiderate road use affecting neighbourhoods across the ward. Working alongside the Road Safety Team and Matrix officers, we will continue to carry out targeted enforcement operations against those whose behaviour puts others at risk or causes significant nuisance. Where offences are identified, robust action will be taken, alongside education aimed at promoting safer and more responsible driving. Community involvement plays a vital role in addressing these issues. Through Community Speedwatch initiatives and regular engagement with residents, we are able to identify emerging concerns and direct resources to areas where they are most needed. This information helps us focus enforcement activity and develop long-term solutions to local problems.
Prevention and early intervention remain central to our approach. We will continue to work closely with schools, colleges, youth services, housing providers, and other
partners to educate young people about the consequences of violence, anti-social behaviour, and unsafe road use. By addressing the root causes of offending behaviour and providing positive diversionary opportunities, we aim to reduce repeat incidents and support individuals in making positive choices.
Where necessary, we will utilise the full range of available legislation, including Community Protection Notices, Criminal Behaviour Orders, road traffic enforcement powers, and other appropriate measures to protect communities and support victims.
Through strong partnership working, proactive policing, education, and community engagement, we will continue to reduce violence and anti-social behaviour, improve public safety, and ensure residents feel safe, supported, and confident within their neighbourhoods.

Reducing Criminal Damage and Protecting Our Communities

Criminal damage has been identified by residents and community partners as an ongoing concern across the ward, impacting upon community safety, local pride, and the quality of life of those who live and work in the area. Incidents of vandalism, graffiti, damage to public property, community facilities, businesses, vehicles, and residential properties can create a negative perception of an area, increase fear of crime, and result in significant costs for victims and organisations responsible for repairs.
Cleveland Police recognises the impact that criminal damage has on local communities and remains committed to tackling this issue through a combination of proactive policing, problem-solving, prevention, and partnership working. We understand that while individual incidents may sometimes appear minor, repeated acts of criminal damage can have a lasting effect on residents' confidence and their feelings of safety within their neighbourhoods.
Our neighbourhood policing teams will continue to work closely with residents, businesses, local authority departments, housing providers, and community groups to identify locations most affected by criminal damage and develop targeted responses. Regular patrols and intelligence-led activity will focus on hotspot areas where reports indicate persistent issues, helping to deter offenders and provide reassurance to the community.
Community information plays a vital role in addressing criminal damage. We encourage residents to continue reporting incidents and sharing information with the police, as this helps us identify patterns, target resources effectively, and take action against
those responsible. Where offenders are identified, we will pursue proportionate enforcement action using appropriate criminal and civil powers available to us.
Education and early intervention are also important elements of our approach. We will continue to engage with schools, youth services, and local organisations to raise awareness of the consequences of criminal damage and encourage positive behaviour among young people. By working with partners to provide support, diversionary activities, and educational opportunities, we aim to reduce repeat offending and prevent individuals from becoming involved in criminal behaviour.
Through proactive policing, strong partnership working, community engagement, and effective problem-solving, Cleveland Police will continue to tackle criminal damage and its impact on our neighbourhoods. Our aim is to protect community assets, support victims, hold offenders to account, and ensure that residents feel safe, proud, and confident in the places where they live, work, and spend their leisure time.