Headland and Harbour

Tackling Off-Road Bikes, E-Scooters, E-Bikes and the Criminal Use of the Road Network

The illegal use of off-road bikes, e-scooters, e-bikes, and the wider criminal use of the road network continues to be a significant concern raised by residents and community partners across the ward. Community feedback highlights the impact these vehicles can have on public safety, quality of life, and feelings of security within local neighbourhoods. Reports of nuisance riding, dangerous driving, excessive speed, riding on footpaths and public open spaces, and vehicles being used to facilitate criminal activity have all been identified as issues that local people want Cleveland Police to continue addressing.
These vehicles often pose serious risks to pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and the riders themselves. In addition to causing alarm and distress, they can be linked to wider criminality, including drug dealing, anti-social behaviour, theft, and the movement of offenders using the road network to avoid detection. Residents have consistently highlighted the need for robust action against those whose reckless behaviour places others at risk and damages community confidence.
Through targeted policing operations, intelligence-led patrols, and strong partnership working, significant progress has already been made in reducing incidents within the ward. Working alongside local authority teams and other partners, a number of environmental improvements have been introduced in identified hotspot locations to prevent access for illegal vehicles. Measures such as barriers, pathway alterations, and other crime prevention initiatives have helped reduce opportunities for offending and contributed to a noticeable decrease in reports.
Education remains a key element of our response. Many young people and parents are unaware of the legal restrictions surrounding the use of e-scooters and certain e-bikes, or the consequences of using them unlawfully. Ward officers will continue to work with schools, youth organisations, and community groups to raise awareness of the risks associated with illegal vehicle use, including the potential for injury, prosecution, and vehicle seizure. Early intervention plays a vital role in preventing long-term offending and encouraging responsible behaviour.
Community intelligence is essential to the success of this work. Information provided by residents helps officers identify offenders, locate vehicles being stored illegally, and target resources effectively. Where vehicles are identified and seized, they can be removed from circulation, helping to prevent further offences and reduce repeat offending.
Our commitment to enforcement remains strong. Cleveland Police will continue to work proactively to seize illegal vehicles, target those who use the road network to commit crime, and disrupt individuals involved in supplying, modifying, or using vehicles unlawfully. Through a combination of enforcement, education, environmental improvements, and community support, we will continue to reduce harm, improve public safety, and ensure our neighbourhoods remain safe places to live, work, and visit.

Tackling Retail Crime, Violence and Threats Against Retail Workers

Retail crime, along with the associated violence, abuse, and threats directed towards retail staff, has been identified by local businesses, residents, and community partners as a significant concern across the ward. Shoplifting, aggressive behaviour, verbal abuse, and intimidation can have a far-reaching impact, affecting not only businesses and their employees but also the wider community. Such incidents can increase fear of crime, negatively affect the local economy, and undermine confidence in local shopping areas.
Cleveland Police recognises the important role that local businesses play within our communities and remains committed to tackling retail crime through a proactive and partnership-led approach. We understand that offences committed within retail settings are not victimless crimes and that incidents involving violence or threats can have a lasting impact on staff who simply seek to carry out their work safely.
Neighbourhood policing teams will continue to work closely with retailers, security staff, local authority teams, business groups, and other partner agencies to identify offenders, share intelligence, and develop effective solutions to reduce offending. Through targeted patrols, high-visibility policing, and intelligence-led operations, we will focus our efforts on those individuals responsible for committing repeat offences and causing the greatest levels of harm within the retail environment.
Concerns have also been raised regarding begging and associated anti-social behaviour in and around Anchor Retail Park. Whilst we recognise that some individuals involved may be vulnerable and require support, there are also concerns regarding known individuals who commit crime, cause nuisance, and negatively impact retailers, staff, and customers. Although Anchor Retail Park is privately owned land, Cleveland Police will continue to work closely with landowners, retail management, the local authority, and support services to address these concerns. Through engagement, safeguarding, intelligence sharing, and enforcement where appropriate, we will seek to reduce incidents and tackle those responsible for criminality and persistent anti-social behaviour.
Where offences occur, we will make full use of available criminal and civil powers to hold offenders accountable. This includes taking robust action against individuals involved in shop theft, violence, threats, criminal damage, begging-related offending, and persistent anti-social behaviour affecting retail premises. By targeting repeat offenders and identifying patterns of offending, we aim to reduce the impact of crime on businesses and improve safety for both staff and customers.
Prevention and engagement also remain key elements of our approach. We will continue to work with retailers to provide crime prevention advice, improve reporting processes, and encourage information sharing. Effective communication between businesses and the police helps build intelligence, identify emerging issues, and support timely enforcement activity.
Community support is vital in addressing retail crime. We encourage residents, businesses, and members of the public to report incidents and share information about suspicious activity. The information received from the community plays an important role in helping us identify offenders and direct resources where they are needed most.
Through proactive policing, strong partnership working, and continued support from the community, Cleveland Police will work to reduce retail crime, tackle violence and threats against retail workers, address concerns around begging and criminality at Anchor Retail Park, protect local businesses, and ensure our shopping areas remain safe, welcoming, and vibrant places for everyone.

Tackling Coastal Crime, Anti-Social Behaviour and Environmental Damage

Coastal crime and anti-social behaviour continue to be concerns raised by residents, visitors, and community partners across the ward. The community has highlighted the ongoing impact of criminal damage to beaches, sand dunes, fencing, and other coastal infrastructure, as well as the nuisance and safety risks associated with off-road bikes and wider anti-social behaviour in these areas. These issues not only affect the appearance and enjoyment of the coastline but can also damage sensitive environments, create safety hazards, and generate significant costs for repair and maintenance.
Our coastline is one of the area's most valued assets and attracts large numbers of visitors throughout the year. However, reports of vandalism, littering, unauthorised fires, damage to protective fencing, and the misuse of vehicles within coastal areas continue to impact upon local communities and those who use these spaces responsibly. Of particular concern is the illegal use of off-road bikes and other vehicles on beaches, sand dunes, footpaths, and open spaces, where they can cause damage to the environment, put pedestrians at risk, and contribute to wider anti-social behaviour.
Cleveland Police remains committed to working closely with partner agencies, landowners, environmental partners, local authority teams, and community groups to address these concerns. Through targeted patrols, intelligence-led deployments, and proactive engagement, neighbourhood officers will focus on identified hotspot locations and those individuals responsible for causing the greatest levels of harm within the coastal area.
We will also continue to use a combination of education, prevention, and enforcement to reduce offending. This includes engaging with young people and local communities to raise awareness of the consequences of criminal damage, environmental harm, and anti-social behaviour. Where offences are identified, appropriate enforcement action will be taken against those responsible.
Community support remains essential in tackling these issues. We encourage residents and visitors to report incidents, provide information, and share concerns regarding damage, anti-social behaviour, and the illegal use of vehicles within coastal areas. This information helps us identify trends, target resources effectively, and take action where it is most needed.
Through proactive policing, strong partnership working, community engagement, and targeted enforcement, Cleveland Police will continue to tackle coastal crime, reduce anti-social behaviour, protect our beaches and sand dunes, and ensure that these important community spaces remain safe, accessible, and enjoyable for residents and visitors alike.