Current Community Safety Initiatives

Lead: Police: Chief Inspector - Crimes

Deputy: Probation Service Teesside: PPO Manager

Named Contact: Community Safety Assistant Daniel Steer - Daniel.Steer@Stockton.Gov.Uk

Other Agencies: Prolific and Priority Offender Project, business and retailers and all members of the Safer Stockton Partnership

Our objective is to reduce thefts that fall within the Other Theft banner.

Background

Safer Stockton Partnership decided to have an open theme for the final and sixth priority. We monitor reported crime and incidents and analyse statistics throughout the year to identify any emerging issues that require increased effort. The first Partnership Strategic Assesment identified that for the first year of this plan 2008/09 the Emerging Issues key priority will be Other Theft. Future priorities will be identified in the Police Intelligence Strategice Assessment and the Partnership Strategic Assesment and announced in the Annual Report that is produced in the summer edition of Stockton News.

Other Theft includes a range of offences from theft of a mail bag or postal package to receiving stolen goods, but there are five distinct categories that represent the majority of offences for us so we will pay particular attention to;

• Shoplifting
• Theft of metals
• Theft of personal belongings such as mobile phones/wallets
• Theft of wheelie bins
• Theft of pedal cycles

These crime types represent almost 80% of offences in this grouping.

During the summer months a rise in thefts of garden furniture is likely so this category will be included in necessary.

When we compare ourselves to our MSCDRP's Other Theft is a real issue for us as we are currently significantly above the group average.

Stockton Town Centre is the top ward for Other Theft accounting for a quarter of all offences in this category. This is not too surprising as this area has the highest number of shops, pubs and clubs.