Joint approach is taken in deterring crime and diverting would-be offenders
Anti-social behaviour (ASB) is a serious issue that negatively impacts all local communities. It is the problem-solving champions – neighbourhood policing teams – who tackle ASB and get to the root cause of any issues alongside response officers, and investigation teams.
While it is business as usual for all Humberside Police teams, as the new year begins, the force will be continuing to support the Home Office initiative, Winter of Action, which is a continuation of the Yuletide Winter of Action, shining a spotlight on the teams that sit at the very core of policing. Superintendent Doug Blackwood, force lead for ASB, said: “Together we have been working tirelessly to tackle ASB across both banks of the Humber through preventative and diversionary work with prolific offenders and juveniles; proactive patrols in key hotspots; school engagement, and, as always, working closely with partners to deliver community-based activities to help divert people away from anti-social behaviour and other crimes associated with it.”
Commenting on the north bank activity, Doug said: “ASB is not low level; it devastates the lives of victims and communities and can be a precursor to more serious crime. It’s our job to change that, and through the likes of Op Yellowfin, Op Prowess, and Clear Hold Build in Bridlington and Orchard Park in Hull, that’s what we’re doing.
“You might know Op Prowess referred to as ‘hotspot’ policing which involves targeting activities where concerns have been raised by residents about crime in their area. It’s evidence-based too, involving the analysis of crime data and information to identify the specific areas that require a ‘hotspot’ policing approach.
“Dedicated officers are then deployed to these areas to assist in significantly reducing the crime levels through a problem-orientated policing approach. Neighbourhood Policing Officers work closely with our Crime Prevention Unit and Designing Out Crime Officers to look at longterm solutions in environmental design and changes which help deter crime and anti-social behaviour.
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“We also collaborate with our Criminal Investigation Departments and the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner to understand areas that are more prone to anti-social behaviour, burglary, theft of and from motor vehicles, and drugs crime, so we can determine what measures can be put in place to make those communities feel safer, as well as secure the right funding to be able to achieve positive results.
“The North Hull Neighbourhood Policing team have been leading the Clear, Hold, Build work in Orchard Park in Hull over the last year. Working in partnership with local schools, the council, and businesses, they launched a number of initiatives including the HOPE allotments, helping provide pupils with an opportunity to learn life skills outside of the classroom.
“Not only this, but Clear, Hold, Build is also fully established in Bridlington and our work in this area has already involved large-scale disruption of those involved in organised crime leading to multiple warrants, arrests, and charges. The impact this has on local residents cannot be underestimated, as we see anti-social and disruptive behaviour following drug use and dealing as part of that organised criminality.
“Op Yellowfin continues to be a priority for the force where dedicated resources are tackling anti-social behaviour and criminal use of motorcycles. Along with attending engagement events with the bike community, we are actively targeting individuals involved in vehicle thefts and also those who are utilising their bikes in an antisocial manner.
“We have already held a number of days of action this year with more planned in.” Similar work has been undertaken on the south bank.
Humberside Police said none of the work could be done without the support from local communities, working with and alongside them, to build strong relationships that help to identify needs and priorities. A spokesperson said: “With continued operations like the ones mentioned here, along with Op Shield, and Op Coastline during the summer, we continually gather intelligence, conduct warrants, and arrest and bring to justice those who commit crimes that are of most concern to you.
“We regularly run our HumberTalking surveys, with neighbourhood policing officers knocking on doors and actively asking residents whether they have any concerns or information about crime and anti-social behaviour, as well as offering safety advice and local policing updates relevant to your area. When we receive this information from our communities, we put this together with the things that our officers see and hear to build up the bigger picture.
“This might mean you don’t always see immediate action, but rest assured, this allows us to fully understand a situation and consequently enables us to take appropriate action to address those concerns in the right way, equipped with all the knowledge to allow us to not only react but offer a proactive problem-solving approach to prevent the crimes from happening in the first place. We would always encourage you to speak to our officers when you see them out and about or call our non-emergency number 101.
“You can also report online but always call 999 in an emergency or if a crime is ongoing. Keep an eye on our website, and social media accounts for more on what we’re getting up to and of course sign up to My Community Alert to find out what’s happening on your street.”
To find out more about what the teams have been up to this winter, head to the website.