Rossmere

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 Anti-Social Behaviour in Our Communities linked to Parks and play areas

Anti-social behaviour (ASB) continues to be a priority concern raised by residents, businesses, and partner agencies across the ward. Local feedback highlights the ongoing impact that nuisance behaviour, intimidation, vandalism, noise, and disorder can have on the quality of life of those living and working within our communities. Particular concerns have been raised regarding anti-social behaviour occurring in and around local play parks and surrounding open spaces, which should be safe and welcoming environments for families, children, and residents to enjoy.
Play parks and recreational areas are important community assets, but reports of groups gathering to engage in anti-social behaviour, littering, alcohol consumption, damage to equipment, noise nuisance, and other forms of disorder can discourage legitimate use of these spaces and negatively affect local residents. Cleveland Police
recognises the impact these issues have on public confidence and will continue to work proactively with partners to address concerns and improve community safety.
Our neighbourhood policing teams will conduct high-visibility patrols in identified hotspot locations, including play parks and surrounding areas where ASB has been reported. Through targeted patrols, proactive engagement, and intelligence-led deployments, we will seek to deter offending behaviour, identify those responsible for causing harm, and provide reassurance to residents. Community information remains vital in helping us direct resources effectively and respond to emerging issues.
We will continue to work closely with local authority teams, housing providers, schools, youth services, and community organisations to address the underlying causes of anti-social behaviour. Providing young people with positive opportunities, education, and diversionary activities plays a key role in preventing behaviour from escalating and reducing repeat incidents. Early intervention and engagement remain essential in supporting young people to make informed and positive choices.
Where individuals persistently engage in anti-social behaviour, appropriate enforcement action will be taken. This may include the use of Community Protection Notices, Criminal Behaviour Orders, tenancy enforcement measures, and other available powers to protect residents and prevent ongoing harm.
By combining proactive policing, early intervention, education, and strong partnership working, we aim to reduce anti-social behaviour across the ward, particularly within play parks and community spaces. Our goal is to ensure these areas remain safe, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone while improving public confidence and helping residents feel safe within their neighbourhoods.

Tackling Speeding and Anti-Social Driving

Speeding and anti-social driving continue to be concerns raised by residents across the ward, particularly along Rossmere Way and the Stockton Road/A689 corridor. Community feedback highlights the impact that excessive speed, dangerous driving, unnecessary vehicle noise, and poor driving standards have on road safety and the quality of life of those living nearby. Residents have reported concerns that such behaviour creates risks for pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users, while also contributing to feelings of insecurity within local neighbourhoods.
Cleveland Police recognises the concerns raised by the community and remains committed to tackling speeding and anti-social driving through a combination of
enforcement, education, engagement, and partnership working. Working closely with local authority partners, road safety colleagues, and residents, we will continue to identify locations where speeding and poor driver behaviour are causing the greatest concern and focus our activity accordingly.
Community Speedwatch initiatives have already been undertaken within the ward to address concerns relating to excessive speed and driver behaviour. These schemes provide residents with the opportunity to play an active role in highlighting problem areas and supporting efforts to improve compliance with speed limits. Information gathered through Community Speedwatch, alongside reports from local residents, helps direct enforcement activity and ensures resources are targeted where they can have the greatest impact.
Ward officers will continue to carry out proactive patrols and targeted operations in identified hotspot locations, including Rossmere Way and Stockton Road/A689. Working alongside specialist road safety teams, officers will monitor driving standards, engage with motorists, and take enforcement action where offences are identified. This may include education, warnings, fixed penalty notices, and prosecution where appropriate. Our aim is not only to take action against those who put others at risk but also to encourage long-term behavioural change and promote safer driving practices.
Community support remains essential in tackling this issue. We encourage residents to continue reporting concerns and sharing information regarding locations, times, and patterns of behaviour. This information helps us build an accurate picture of local issues and enables us to target resources effectively.
Through continued partnership working, proactive policing, Community Speedwatch activity, and community engagement, we aim to reduce speeding and anti-social driving, improve road safety, and ensure that residents feel safe and confident when travelling through and living within the ward.