Throston

Tackling Drug Dealing, Substance Misuse and Exploitation

Drug dealing, substance misuse, and the exploitation of vulnerable people continue to be concerns raised by residents and community partners across the ward. The community has highlighted the significant impact that drug-related activity can have on neighbourhoods, families, businesses, and individuals, particularly where criminal networks seek to profit from the supply of illegal substances and exploit those who may be vulnerable. Cleveland Police remains committed to proactively tackling these issues through a combination of enforcement, safeguarding, prevention, and partnership working.
Our priority is to reduce the harm caused by drug-related crime by targeting those responsible for the supply of controlled drugs and associated criminality within our communities. Through proactive policing, intelligence-led operations, targeted patrols, and community engagement, officers will continue to identify, disrupt, and prosecute those involved in drug dealing. Recent enforcement activity has demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach, with a number of arrests resulting from proactive policing tactics that have uncovered wider criminal networks operating within and beyond the ward.
Protecting vulnerable people sits at the heart of our response. Individuals involved in drug supply frequently exploit children, young people, and adults who may be vulnerable due to age, mental health concerns, substance dependency, financial hardship, or personal circumstances. This exploitation can take many forms, including coercion, intimidation, criminal exploitation, and involvement in drug distribution networks. Working closely with safeguarding partners, social care, education providers, and specialist support services, we will continue to identify those at risk, provide appropriate interventions, and ensure those who exploit others are brought to justice.
We also recognise the links between drug-related activity and other forms of criminality, including violence, anti-social behaviour, organised crime, and the sale of illicit goods such as illegal cigarettes, tobacco, and vapes. Working alongside Trading Standards, local authority teams, housing providers, and community organisations, we will continue to target those involved in criminal enterprises that cause harm within our communities.
Education and prevention remain essential to our long-term approach. Through engagement with schools, colleges, youth groups, and community organisations, officers will continue to raise awareness of the dangers of substance misuse and the
risks of criminal exploitation. By helping young people recognise the warning signs and consequences of involvement in drug-related activity, we aim to build resilience and prevent harm before it occurs.
Through proactive enforcement, safeguarding, education, and strong partnership working, Cleveland Police will continue to tackle drug dealing, substance misuse, and exploitation. Our aim is to reduce harm, protect vulnerable people, disrupt criminal networks, and ensure the ward remains a safe place to live, work, and visit.

Tackling Youth-Related Anti-Social Behaviour

Youth-related anti-social behaviour (ASB) continues to be a concern raised by residents, businesses, and community partners across the ward. While the vast majority of young people are respectful and contribute positively to their communities, incidents involving nuisance behaviour, disorder, littering, criminal damage, underage drinking, and gatherings in public spaces can have a considerable impact on local residents and public confidence. The community has identified this as a priority issue and one that Cleveland Police and partner agencies will continue to proactively address.
Particular concerns have been raised regarding the Aclom Street area of the ward, where residents have reported incidents of youth-related anti-social behaviour that impact the quality of life of those living nearby. Reports of large groups congregating, noise nuisance, littering, and behaviour causing intimidation or concern have resulted in increased anxiety among local residents. With the summer holiday period approaching, there is an expectation from the community that incidents may increase as more young people spend time outdoors and gather in public spaces. Cleveland Police recognises these concerns and will continue to monitor the area closely, responding proactively to emerging issues and patterns of behaviour.
Cleveland Police is committed to working with partner agencies, schools, youth services, local authority teams, housing providers, and community organisations to address these concerns through a balanced approach of prevention, engagement, education, and enforcement. Neighbourhood officers will continue to conduct high-visibility patrols in identified hotspot locations, including Aclom Street and surrounding areas, to provide reassurance, engage positively with young people, and respond to concerns raised by the community.
Education and early intervention remain central to our approach. By working closely with schools, youth organisations, and partner agencies, we will continue to promote positive behaviour, raise awareness of the consequences of anti-social behaviour, and support young people in making informed choices. Providing access to diversionary
activities and support services can help prevent behaviour from escalating and reduce repeat incidents.
Where necessary, appropriate enforcement action will be taken against individuals responsible for persistent anti-social behaviour or criminal offences. However, our focus remains on supporting young people, protecting communities, and encouraging long-term behavioural change.
Community support remains essential to the success of this priority. We encourage residents to continue reporting incidents and sharing information with police and partner agencies. Through strong partnership working, proactive policing, and community engagement, we will continue to reduce youth-related anti-social behaviour, address community concerns, and help ensure our neighbourhoods remain safe, welcoming, and enjoyable places for everyone.

Tackling Speeding and Anti-Social Driving

Speeding and anti-social driving continue to be concerns raised by residents across the ward, particularly along Throston Grange Lane, Wiltshire Way, and Chester Road. Community feedback highlights the impact that excessive speed, dangerous driving, unnecessary vehicle noise, racing, 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 identifying 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, with a particular focus on Throston Grange Lane, Wiltshire Way, and Chester Road. Working alongside specialist road safety teams and Matrix
officers, officers will monitor driving standards, engage with motorists, and take enforcement action where offences are identified. This may include education, warnings, fixed penalty notices, vehicle-related enforcement, 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 and more considerate 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, identify repeat offenders, and 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. Our focus remains on protecting communities, reducing harm, and creating safer roads for everyone.