Billingham Central

Retail Crime (Shoplifting)

Issue
Retail crime, particularly shoplifting, remains a concern, especially within Central Stockton. A small number of prolific offenders often cause disproportionate harm and are frequently linked to substance misuse and wider ASB.

What We Will Do
•Targeting prolific and repeat offenders through offender management and intelligence led patrols.
•High visibility patrols in retail areas to deter offending and reassure staff and shoppers.
•Positive action against offenders, including arrest, bail conditions, and court outcomes.
•Partnership working with retailers, sharing information to strengthen prevention and reporting.
•Addressing root causes, including links to drug misuse and vulnerability, alongside enforcement.

Desired Outcomes
•Reduction in shoplifting and repeat offending
•Improved safety and wellbeing of retail staff
•Increased confidence in reporting
•Safer and more welcoming retail environments

Anti Social Behaviour by Youths

Issue
Youth related anti social behaviour continues to affect residents and businesses, particularly complaints of disorder, intimidation, nuisance behaviour, criminal damage, and low level violence. Without early intervention, this behaviour risks escalating into more serious offending.
What We Will Do
•High visibility patrols in identified hotspots to deter offending and reassure communities.
•Targeting repeat locations and individuals through intelligence led tasking.
•Use of enforcement tools, including:
oCommunity Protection Notices (CPNs)
oCriminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs)
oTenancy enforcement where appropriate
•Early intervention and prevention, working closely with:
oYouth services
oSchools
oFamilies
oCommunity and voluntary organisations
•Problem solving with partners to address the underlying causes of youth ASB, including vulnerability, lack of engagement, and peer influence.

Desired Outcomes
•Reduction in youth related ASB
•Improved behaviour in public and residential spaces
•Prevention of escalation into serious crime
•Increased reassurance for residents and businesses

Drug Dealing and Drug Related Harm

Issue
Drug dealing and substance misuse cause widespread harm across Stockton District, impacting public safety, community confidence, vulnerable individuals, businesses, and families. Drug supply is closely linked to violence, weapon possession, exploitation, ORB use, ASB, and acquisitive crime.

Strategic Alignment
•Strong on Crime – Targeting those who profit from criminality
•Trusted by Communities – Disrupting activity that causes long term neighbourhood harm
•Committed to Excellence – Intelligence led operations and safeguarding focused approaches

What We Will Do
•Proactive policing, including:
oHigh visibility and plain clothes operations
oStop searches linked to unrelated offences that identify drug possession and supply
oIntelligence led patrols and surveillance
•Execution of Misuse of Drugs Act warrants based on community and partner intelligence.
•Use of drone capability to identify street level dealing and addresses being used to supply drugs.
•Closure of drug related properties through partnership working with the Local Authority and housing providers, including closure orders and tenancy enforcement.
•Targeting exploitation, including those profiting from drug supply and those exploiting vulnerable individuals.
•Tackling associated criminality, including counterfeit goods such as illegal cigarettes and vapes.
•Education and prevention, especially for young people, focusing on:
oHealth risks
oCriminal consequences
oExploitation and long term harm
•Wrap around support for vulnerable individuals drawn into drug use or criminal exploitation.

Desired Outcomes
•Disruption of drug supply networks
•Reduced visible drug dealing and use
•Protection of vulnerable individuals
•Reduction in drug related ASB and violence
•Safer communities and improved public confidence

Criminal Use of Bikes and Associated Criminality

Issue
The illegal use of off road motorbikes, quad bikes, e scooters and illegally adapted e bikes continues to be a significant source of harm across Stockton District. These vehicles are linked to anti social behaviour, community intimidation, road safety risks, and wider criminality including drug supply, possession of offensive weapons, and suspects evading police.
Strategic Alignment
•Strong on Crime – Hard hitting enforcement against offenders and organised criminality
•Trusted by Communities – Visible action on issues residents repeatedly raise
•Committed to Excellence – Problem solving and lawful, effective use of powers

What We Will Do
•Targeted enforcement operations across Central and Outer Stockton, including ongoing use of Operation Endurance, supported by specialist resources such as Matrix teams and drones.
•Identification of riders and storage locations through community intelligence, partnership information sharing, and proactive patrols.
•Use of seizure, entry and destruction powers – seized bikes are destroyed to prevent recirculation and repeat offending.
•Environmental and problem solving activity (“designing out crime”) in hotspot areas, including:
oBarriers and access restrictions
oLighting improvements
oPathway alterations
oLong term solutions with the Local Authority and housing providers
•Education and early intervention, particularly with young people, through schools and youth settings to highlight:
oLegal restrictions
oSafety risks
oConsequences including seizure, prosecution, and long term impact
Desired Outcomes
•Reduction in ORB related ASB and criminality
•Increased seizures and disruption of offenders
•Improved road and pedestrian safety
•Sustained reduction in repeat hotspots
•Increased community confidence and reassurance