The Neighbourhood, Response and Crime teams working out of Newton Aycliffe have been busy responding to a variety of incidents across the area over the past week, including Concerns for Safety, Missing Persons, Theft, Domestic Incidents and Harassment.
We had 63 reported incidents of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in April. This is compared to 124 in April 2021. We know ASB is under reported, please join us in our Pact Meetings to discuss why this is the case (details below).
Below is a snapshot of what we have been up to;
Overnight on Monday into Tuesday (9th to 10th May), a White Mercedes Sprinter, registration number PN15EHB was stolen from a compound in Hurworth Road on the Aycliffe Business Park. A number of lines of enquiry are being conducted, but anyone with any information should contact PC 2994 Higgingbotham using email: samuel.higginbotham@durham.police.uk.
On Tuesday this week, PCSOs Kipling and Middleton attended a residents coffee morning in a communal room at Hawkshead Court where they took along several devices to improve security.
A meeting was held with representatives from UTC, Greenfield and Woodham Schools to arrange talks for all students on knife crime and County lines. Along with Humankind we will be delivering sessions to reduce risk to over 2000 students prior to the end of the academic year.
Officers were again working with Humankind this week under the banner of ‘Ahead of the Arrest’. This initiative aims to reduce vulnerability through alcohol and drug misuse by engaging with people who come to the attention of the police through minor crime, intelligence and safeguarding issues. Through positive engagement several people were signed up this week who will go on to participate in programmes offered by Humankind to deal with their drink or drug misuse. Please contact us if you, or someone you know, would benefit from this service.
On Saturday night a female driver was arrested after providing a positive roadside specimen of breath after a collision near to the Iron Horse Public House. This female was later found to be more than twice over the legal limit for alcohol and charged and bailed to court.
Officers have been out and about throughout the weekend, focusing on Anti-Social Behaviour hotspot areas within Newton Aycliffe. Due to feedback from the community, we really focused on the Town Centre, engaging with shop staff, and areas where recently there have been small rubbish fires.
Officers have been conducting Speed Watch in the areas of Middridge Lane and Burnhill Way due to concerns raised by residents. Out of the 130 vehicles that passed through at the time the Watch was in operation, 15 were found to be over the speed limit. These drivers will get a warning at this stage, further action taken for repeat offenders. We have noted the subsequent feedback and will target other areas soon.
Lastly, if you haven’t already and have a spare minute, please sign up to Keep in the Know where you can receive regular alerts from the team here on what’s happening around the town, such as crime updates and road closures. It’s completely free and you can sign up by visiting www.keepintheknow.co.uk/content/pages/sign-up.
Thanks very much for your continued support, have a great week.
Sgt 1430 Boyd