Hartlepool District Commander Superintendent Martin Hopps reflects upon 2023

2023 has been a great year for Hartlepool Police, with District Commander Martin Hopps taking on the reigns for the district.

This year has seen over £1.5million worth of drugs and weapons seized during raids on suspected drug dealers in the town, and large numbers of nuisance off-road bikes and quads seized.

The Neighbourhood Team have tacked antisocial behaviour in the town centre with planned operations and dispersal orders.

In June, Operation Artemis saw the town flooded with police activity, whilst PC Geoff Coggin arranged a multi-cultural open day at Hartlepool Police Station.

Summer 2023 also saw Hartlepool host the Tall Ships event, one of the biggest events on Teesside in recent years.  This was a huge policing operation, but one which Hartlepool officers took on with great enthusiasm and pride.  The team really enjoyed keeping everyone safe during the event, and loved meeting everyone who visited.  

October saw the launch of Cleveland Police’s knife crime awareness campaign, ‘Carrying a Knife Doesn’t Give you an Edge’ at Hartlepool College of Further Education, then Operation Sycamore was launched in November to tackle drugs activity in the town.

Some of the Neighbourhood Team have also been award winners!

PC Ben Hayes and PC Chris Harding won the “Emergency Services Hero” category at the Hartlepool Heroes Awards!!

PCSO Graeme Handley won a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Police Community Support Officer Awards.

PCSO Yas Calvert and PC Shaun Cox were praised back in May for their actions in helping to save a teenager’s life when he was badly injured during an assault, stemming his bleeding with tourniquets. 

District Commander Martin Hopps said: “As we approach the end of another year of policing Hartlepool and keeping those who live and work in the town safe, I want to say a huge thank you to every officer in Hartlepool for their hard work and dedication to the town this year.”