Victoria

Anti Social behaviour

Anti‑social behaviour (ASB) continues to be a significant concern raised by residents across the ward, particularly in and around the town centre. Local people have highlighted issues including groups congregating, verbal abuse, intimidating behaviour, alcohol‑related disorder, and nuisance activity that is impacting their quality of life. We recognise the frustration this causes and remain committed to tackling these problems with a coordinated, visible, and proactive approach.

Work is currently underway to progress a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) that will cover the town centre and extend into parts of Burn Valley and the Headland and Harbour wards. This PSPO is designed to give authorities additional powers to address persistent ASB, restrict harmful behaviours, and create safer public spaces for residents, businesses, and visitors. Once implemented, it will form a key part of our long‑term strategy to reduce disorder and prevent repeat incidents.

Alongside this, we will continue to proactively target key locations and known offenders to protect those within our community from becoming victims of crime. High‑visibility patrols will remain a central feature of our response, particularly within the town centre and at the bottom of the ramp on York Road as part of Operation Aster. These patrols are intended not only to deter offending but also to provide reassurance and a direct point of contact for members of the public.

Where criminal offences are identified, we will make full use of our criminal justice powers to take action swiftly and effectively. However, enforcement does not stop at criminal legislation. We will also work closely with partners to utilise civil tools and preventative measures, including Community Protection Notices, Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs), and tenancy enforcement where appropriate. These measures allow us to address persistent behaviour, place restrictions on individuals causing harm, and support landlords and housing providers in maintaining safe living environments.

Partnership working remains essential. We will continue to collaborate with the local authority, housing associations, youth services, community groups, and voluntary organisations to ensure a joined‑up response. This includes early intervention, support for vulnerable individuals, and long‑term problem‑solving to reduce the likelihood of further incidents.

We are committed to listening to residents, responding to concerns, and adapting our approach as needed. Your reports, information, and feedback remain vital in helping us identify emerging issues and target our resources effectively. Together, we will continue working to make the ward a safer and more welcoming place for everyone.

Drug dealing and substance misuse

Drug dealing and drug or substance misuse continue to be concerns raised by residents across the ward, and we remain firmly committed to tackling both the use and supply of controlled drugs within our communities. This issue remains a central focus of our daily work, as we recognise the significant harm that drug activity causes not only to individuals directly involved, but also to families, neighbourhoods, and the younger generation who may be vulnerable to exploitation.

Our overarching aim is to make the town as safe as possible by targeting those who profit from criminality and cause the greatest harm. Much of our recent progress has been driven by proactive policing. A notable proportion of recent drug‑related arrests have come from officers stopping individuals for unrelated offences, only to find controlled substances during subsequent searches. This approach is highly effective: it disrupts drug supply, removes harmful substances from circulation, and helps us identify wider criminal networks operating behind the scenes.

We will continue to pursue those who exploit vulnerable people, ensuring they are brought to justice. At the same time, we remain committed to providing wrap‑around support to anyone who has been drawn into exploitation or coerced into criminal behaviour. Working alongside specialist services, we aim to safeguard individuals, reduce harm, and prevent further victimisation.

Our work also extends to tackling counterfeit goods, including illegal cigarettes and vapes. These items pose significant risks to health and wellbeing, particularly for young people, and often form part of wider criminal enterprises linked to drug supply. By targeting these products through enforcement and partnership activity, we are disrupting the financial incentives that fuel organised crime.

Education remains a vital part of our strategy. We continue to work with young people through schools, youth groups, and community organisations to raise awareness about the dangers of substance misuse. By helping young people understand the long‑term consequences health risks, criminal implications, and vulnerability to exploitation we aim to prevent harmful behaviours before they begin. Early intervention is essential in reducing future demand for drugs and supporting young people to make informed, positive choices.

Partnership working underpins all of our efforts. We work closely with local authority teams, health services, housing providers, and community organisations to ensure a coordinated response that combines enforcement with prevention and support. This joined‑up approach allows us to address the root causes of drug‑related harm while also taking decisive action against those responsible for supplying controlled substances.

Through enforcement, prevention, education, and strong partnership working, we will continue to drive this work forward and protect our communities from the harm caused by drug dealing and substance misuse.

Violence

Violence related offences have been raised as a concern within the ward, and residents have rightly raised worries about the impact these incidents have on feelings of safety and overall community confidence. While the number of incidents is not high compared to other crime types, the harm they cause is significant, and we remain fully committed to addressing them. Many of the violence related offences we respond to are closely linked to drug‑related activity or are an escalation of earlier anti‑social behaviour. This pattern highlights the importance of early intervention, problem‑solving, and strong partnership working to prevent situations from developing into more serious harm.

We continue to work closely with partner agencies, including local authority teams, youth services, housing providers, and community organisations, to identify individuals and locations where tensions may be rising. By sharing information and coordinating our approach, we can intervene earlier, support vulnerable individuals, and reduce the likelihood of incidents escalating into violence. This joined‑up approach ensures that enforcement, safeguarding, and prevention all work hand‑in‑hand.

Having nominated ward officers plays a crucial role in this work. Their high‑visibility and regular presence across the ward provides reassurance to residents and acts as a strong deterrent to those who may be involved in violence or drug‑related offending. These officers build relationships with local people, gather valuable intelligence, and respond quickly to emerging issues. Their visibility helps reduce fear of crime and strengthens trust between the community and policing teams.

We will continue to target those responsible for violence, particularly where it is linked to drug supply or persistent anti‑social behaviour. Through proactive patrols, intelligence‑led activity, and partnership‑driven problem‑solving, we aim to prevent further harm and ensure that offenders are held accountable. At the same time, we remain committed to supporting individuals at risk of being drawn into violence, helping them access the services and interventions needed to change direction.

Our priority is to keep the ward safe, reduce harm, and maintain a strong, visible presence that reassures residents and deters those who may cause violence within our community.