Manor House

Tackling Criminal Damage, Anti-Social Behaviour and Deliberate Fires at Summerhill Visitor Centre

Criminal damage, anti-social behaviour (ASB), and deliberate fires in and around the Summerhill Visitor Centre have been identified by residents, visitors, and community partners as ongoing concerns that negatively impact the local area. Summerhill is a valued community asset that provides recreational, educational, and outdoor opportunities for people of all ages. Incidents of vandalism, nuisance behaviour, damage to property, littering, and deliberate fires not only place public safety at risk but also affect the enjoyment of the site for legitimate users and create unnecessary costs for repairs and maintenance.
Cleveland Police recognises the importance of protecting this community facility and remains committed to working with partner agencies to address these issues. Through a combination of proactive policing, problem-solving, and partnership working, we will continue to identify those responsible for causing harm and take appropriate action to reduce offending and improve safety within the area.
Neighbourhood officers will continue to undertake targeted patrols in and around Summerhill, focusing activity during key times when incidents are most likely to occur. Working alongside local authority teams, site management, Cleveland Fire Brigade, youth services, and other partners, we are developing coordinated responses that aim to prevent incidents before they occur whilst also dealing robustly with offenders when identified. This includes the use of intelligence-led deployments, community engagement, environmental improvements, and the consideration of appropriate enforcement measures where necessary.
Education and early intervention remain an important part of our approach. By engaging with local schools, youth groups, and community organisations, we aim to raise awareness of the consequences of criminal damage, anti-social behaviour, and deliberate fire setting. Encouraging positive behaviour and providing diversionary opportunities can help prevent young people from becoming involved in activities that place themselves and others at risk.
Community support is vital in helping us address these issues effectively. We encourage residents, visitors, and local organisations to continue reporting incidents and sharing information about those responsible. Even seemingly small pieces of information can help build a clearer picture of offending patterns and support enforcement action.
Through continued partnership working, proactive policing, prevention, and community involvement, we will work to reduce criminal damage, anti-social behaviour, and deliberate fires at Summerhill Visitor Centre. Our shared aim is to protect this valuable community asset, improve public safety, and ensure that Summerhill remains a welcoming and enjoyable place for everyone to visit and enjoy.

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.

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 town and neighbourhood 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.
Where offences occur, we will seek to 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, 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, protect local businesses, and ensure our shopping areas remain safe, welcoming, and vibrant places for everyone.