Response to HMICFRS Inspection around Serious and Organised Crime
Main article content
In response to the HMICFRS Inspection around Serious and Organised Crime, ACC Lisa Theaker said:
“We welcome the findings of this inspection, as it will help us to continue to improve how Cleveland Police deals with serious and organised crime (SOC).
“The force sees the damage this causes to communities, and the harm it’s causing to individuals; the impact that SOC has on our communities should not be underestimated and we are committed to identifying, disrupting and dismantling those crime groups operating in our area.
“We are pleased that the report recognises our work around sharing information with partner agencies, and our effective analytical capability to scan and assess intelligence to tackle SOC.
“It is also positive that the HMICFRS were impressed by the significant improvement in Cleveland Police’s capability to better understand the effectiveness of our activity around tackling SOC.
“However, we absolutely recognise the need for us to build upon this improvement by exploring opportunities for increasing resources in some areas and better develop consistent processes in tackling SOC across the whole of Cleveland.
“The work to enhance our approach in preventing and dealing with this type of crime is already underway, with the effective use of Closure Notices which prevents commercial premises from being used for criminality, and also our work around Operation Eastwood, which is an initiative to deter children and young people from re-offending.
“We also have our work around Operation Resolve – supported by the local Neighbourhood Policing Teams, this drives our pro-active approach to disrupting criminal activity by carrying out raids on homes and premises and targeted patrols and activity in hot spot areas. Across sixteen days of action in November 2022, Operation Resolve resulted in 42 arrests (for offences including Possession of a Firearm, Rape, Aggravated Burglary and Section 18 Wounding), conducted 51 Stop Searches and made 111 intelligence submissions”.