Newtown

Drug dealing and drug use

Over the past three months, Stockton Neighbourhood Policing Team has maintained a sustained focus on disrupting drug supply networks, tackling associated anti-social behaviour, and safeguarding communities affected by organised criminality. Activity has been intelligence-led and delivered through a combination of search warrants, targeted arrests, partnership interventions and proactive neighbourhood patrols.
Throughout June and July, significant planning took place to maximise enforcement opportunities through Operation Artemis on 29th July a borough-wide partnership operation involving police, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, housing providers, fire service and other key stakeholders. Planning documentation specifically identified drugs warrants within the Newtown and Hardwick areas as a key operational priority
The operation resulted in:
•21 arrests across Stockton.
•Multiple warrants and enforcement activities targeting those involved in serious violence and criminality.
•High-visibility and plain-clothes patrols in hotspot locations.
•Multi-agency disruption activity involving housing providers and local authority partners.
•Community engagement and reassurance patrols across the town centre and priority neighbourhoods.
Drug dealing has a devastating impact on communities. It often brings anti-social behaviour, violence, exploitation of vulnerable people, county lines activity and serious safeguarding concerns. We remain committed to identifying those responsible and using all available powers to disrupt their activities.
However, we cannot do this alone.
The information provided by residents is often the key factor in developing intelligence, obtaining warrants and securing arrests. Even seemingly small pieces of information can help build a wider intelligence picture.
If you have information about drug dealing, suspicious activity, cuckooing, county lines activity or people being exploited, please report it:
Cleveland Police
•Call 101 for non-emergency information.
•Report online via the Cleveland Police website.
•In an emergency, or if a crime is taking place, always call 999.
Crimestoppers
•Call 0800 555 111
•Report anonymously online via the Crimestoppers website.
Information provided to Crimestoppers is completely anonymous. You will not be asked for your name and your number will not be traced.
Our officers will continue to conduct proactive patrols, develop intelligence, work with communities and take positive action against those involved in supplying drugs across Stockton

Off road bikes

Operation Endurance has remained a key neighbourhood policing priority across Stockton Borough during the last quarter. Working alongside council and community safety partners, officers have delivered a combination of proactive enforcement, intelligence development and prevention activity aimed at tackling the illegal use of off-road bikes, mopeds and e-bikes. A significant day of action on 29 May 2026 resulted in eight motorcycles being seized, two arrests for suspected Class A drug offences and the recovery of stolen vehicles. Intelligence-led patrols continue across identified hotspot locations, supported by community reporting, drone capability and the force's newly established dedicated bike crime team. The activity is disrupting both anti-social behaviour and associated criminality, whilst diversionary work with young people and problem-solving initiatives seek to deliver sustainable long-term reductions in offending

Recent activity demonstrates a clear link between nuisance bike use and other criminality, including drug supply, vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour. Enforcement activity has resulted in multiple vehicle seizures, arrests and drug recoveries

Alongside enforcement, our Stockton ASB plan identifies prevention work aimed at reducing future offending through:
• Youth diversion schemes.
• School engagement.
• Education regarding the dangers of off-road bike use.
• Referrals into support services and youth programmes.
The intention is to reduce repeat offending and discourage young people from becoming involved in vehicle-related ASB
New Cleveland-Wide Capability
Cleveland Police launched a dedicated bike crime task force during June 2026 using:
• Electric off-road police motorcycles.
• Drone technology.
• Intelligence-led enforcement activity.
• Dedicated officers focused on bike-enabled crime.
The task force was introduced to support the force response to illegal off-road bikes, e-bikes and mopeds and complements existing Operation Endurance activity.

Anti Social Behaviour

During the last three months, anti-social behaviour (ASB) has remained a significant concern across parts of Stockton, with particular issues identified within Stockton Town Centre, Newtown, Portrack and Tilery. Community concerns continue to focus on drug-related ASB, intimidation, street drinking, disorder, groups congregating in public spaces, retail crime, and repeat nuisance behaviour. Multi-agency activity has remained focused on enforcement, prevention, safeguarding vulnerable victims and improving community confidence.
Newtown
Newtown remains a priority neighbourhood following persistent ASB and crime concerns around Britannia Road, Dunmail Road, Thompson's Yard and Phoenix Sidings. Residents have reported:

Drug dealing and drug use.
Intimidation by groups gathering.
Violence and assaults.
Fires being lit near residential properties.
Criminal damage.
Theft and acquisitive crime.
General disorder and environmental ASB.

A coordinated multi-agency response has been maintained involving Cleveland Police, Stockton Borough Council, Thirteen Housing and elected members. Key activity during the reporting period has included:

Increased hotspot patrols.
Multiple stop-search operations.
Positive drug-related interventions.
CCTV deployment in key locations.
Housing enforcement activity.
Environmental clean-up and target-hardening measures.
Monthly multi-agency problem-solving meetings.

Recent enforcement has resulted in individuals being charged with drug supply offences linked to street-level dealing. Police and partners continue to respond dynamically to displacement, with activity moving between Dunmail Road, Britannia Road and Phoenix Sidings.

Community Confidence and Engagement

Feedback gathered through community consultation work in Newtown identified a significant impact on residents' perceptions of safety. Key themes raised by residents included:

Drug use and associated criminality.
Anti-social behaviour and fighting.
Intimidation from groups congregating.
Concerns for children and families.
Vehicle crime and fear of offending.

Residents reported feeling considerably less safe within their wider neighbourhood than in their homes. Feedback also indicated a desire for:

More visible policing.
Long-term problem solving.
Better communication regarding actions taken.
Stronger partnership intervention.

Housing providers have committed to increased engagement through surveys, tenant consultations, door-knocking campaigns and community events within Portrack, Tilery and surrounding areas to better understand concerns and improve reporting.
Over the past three months, Stockton has seen sustained partnership activity aimed at tackling ASB, with particular focus on drug-related nuisance, repeat offending, retail crime and community confidence. Significant enforcement action, hotspot patrols, housing interventions and environmental improvements have been delivered, whilst engagement with residents has helped identify ongoing concerns and shape future activity. Newtown and Stockton Town Centre remain priority areas, with further investment and targeted operations planned during the coming months.
We will continue to retain presence and engagement through all wards in the borough.

Please keep your community intelligence coming in to help us make your communities safe