Project Harmony
A multi-agency initiative is being brought into the Ropner Ward area of Stockton which is focussed on reducing crime and improving lives for the residents in the area.
Project Harmony is being launched this month, to help rejuvenate the areas of Oxbridge and Parkfield with residents being supported by a number of agencies including Cleveland Police, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, NEAS, Cleveland Fire Brigade, local housing agencies such as Thirteen Group aswell as charities and third sector organisations such as Catalyst and Corner House Youth Project.
The areas have been identified as part of the Home Office’s national ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ approach, to operate in areas affected by organised crime with neighbourhood policing teams taking the lead on tackling it.
Serious and organised crime remains a focus not only for police, but communities will also be encouraged to share information with authorities, so that criminals can be disrupted and offenders brought to justice.
District Commander for Stockton, Superintendent John Wrintmore, said: “Often our communities are key in coming forward with the information that we need to help us in bringing those responsible for serious and organised crime to justice. Our closest links with our communities are often through our neighbourhood teams, and so together with our partners we will be looking to use neighbourhood officers’ knowledge and skills to support organised crime investigations and convictions.
“By uniting with our partner agencies to tackle these issues and relentlessly disrupt criminal networks, we hope to build a whole-system approach which will challenge the drivers of crime and exploitation of vulnerabilities to make a real difference to the lives of residents and those who work and visit the area.”
A community consultation is being launched in the area, which will see residents asked to respond to a survey which is being made available by letter drop, on social media and on the Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council website
Councillor Norma Stephenson, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Access, Communities and Community Safety, said: “We are very pleased to be supporting this scheme alongside Cleveland Police and it’s vitally important that we are taking action to help improve the lives of people who live or work in the Ropner ward.
“We want to gather as much information as possible to help achieve the best results and I would encourage anyone living or working in the Ropner ward to fill out the questionnaire running as part of the scheme.
"If you live in the area, look out for a letter dropping to share your views, which should only take a few minutes to fill out. You can also stay tuned to the Council’s social media channels and website to find out more.”