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REPORT TO COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY, 28TH FEBRUARY 2007
POLICE AUTHORITY UPDATE
Authority has agreed following proposals for 2007/8 :
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Recruitment of 23 more police officers—with 20 of them used to support the
expansion of neighbourhood policing across the force area.
Recruitment of 75 new Police Community Support Officers.
Civilianisation of custody services which will release 36 officers to significantly
strengthen protective services.
Opening at the North Ormesby Medical Village of new purpose-built Referral Centre
for victims of sexual assault.
New state-of-the-art Roads Policing Facility to be based at Wynyard.
Work in progress re introduction of new hi-tech ‘mobile working’ system for use in
front-line policing.
Policing council tax precept of 4.9 % - equivalent to an increase of 9p per week for
majority of households. Proposed budget 2007/8 just under £120million.
Continuing transformation of the Authority’s financial position - reserves, which
reached a low of just £172,000 in March 2003, now stand at £10.3million.
Further progress during 2006 which saw overall crime cut by 6.1%, detections rising
by 7.2%, opening of 4 new police stations and 2 major refurbishments
Coming year will see Cleveland Police with the highest number of officers in the
force’s history, taking total to 1,727, and, thanks to support from the Home Office
and partner local authorities, Community Support Officers rising over 60% to 197.
On 19 February members of 4 local authorities and Police authority received a presentation
from Cleveland Emergency planning Unit. I have spare copies of presentation for
interested members.
On 23 March members are invited to a tour of new Middlesbrough police station and will
receive thereafter a briefing on new neighbourhood policing arrangements to take effect
from beginning of April.
RESPECT PROGRAMME
On 22 January the Home Secretary John Reid visited Middlesbrough to make the formal
launch of the next phase of the Respect programme. Middlesbrough is one of 40 areas
confirmed as Respect Areas.
Contrary to some misleading journalism, a Respect area is chosen not because it has
worse problems than elsewhere. They are areas that have a track record of achievement
but more importantly, have shown the commitment and capacity to do much more.
Middlesbrough is expected to be an exemplar to other authorities.
John Reid spoke to residents that had worked with us to combat anti-social behaviour. He
also heard from a young mother with a previously chaotic lifestyle that has been helped
enormously by our family intervention project.
In selecting Middlesbrough to make the national launch, it is clear the work undertaken and
progress made in Middlesbrough has been recognised by the Home Office at the highest
level. Having seen this for himself, I am confident the Home Secretary left with the
impression that in Middlesbrough we are most definitely 'fit for purpose'.
COMMUNITY COURTS
In January I joined a delegation from Middlesbrough visiting the Salford Community Court.
Middlesbrough is one of 10 areas that will set up a Community Court in 2007; the target is
April. East Middlesbrough is the focus. A steering group is working to ensure that there is
the necessary community buy-in and the requisite legal infrastructure in place by then. I am
impressed by the commitment of all partners within this and will report further in due course.
CRIMINAL DAMAGE
The Safer Middlesbrough Parnership’s criminal damage sub group is supporting two
projects with the aim of reducing criminal damage in two ‘hotspots’ across Middlesbrough:
Hemlington Young Persons Project delivered by Linx:- to work with 10 targeted young
people (male aged 13-16 yrs) identified through the Young persons Group. These young
people are specifically linked to acts of criminal damage in Hemlington. The aim is to
influence a change of behaviour by challenging behaviour and attitudes in relation to
criminal damage and ASB and to direct them back into full time education.
This is a 'pilot' project and will be delivered over an 8 week period (1 full day a week), and
will consist of presentations by agencies, debates and 'hands on experience' (ie working
with Streetscene, Fire Brigade). Parental support programmes will be offered to the
families of those identified. This project will naturally dovetail into existing or planned work
that is being undertaken in Hemlington.
Beechwood Young Persons Project delivered by Directions - will target young people who
Directions have identified are at risk of, and causing criminal damage and ASB in their area.
This course will take place one evening a week at the local youth club, with the same
content as the Hemlington project, and at the end of the programme the successful young
people will choose an appropriate activity in which they can obtain a qualification or
certificate. Behaviour and attitudes will be challenged and debates will take place with
solutions on tackling criminal damage coming directly from the young people.
An evaluation will be carried out on each project, to assess if attitude and understanding of
young people has changed over the period of the course. A 'Solution Box' has been
created on the SMP website. This will give agencies and communities a chance to put their
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ideas and solutions forward on how to tackle local problems (ie criminal damage) and also
raise local priorities and concerns as part of a consultation process. These solutions,
priorities and concerns can be directed to the appropriate agency to be addressed.
RACIAL CRIME AND HARASSMENT - TRUE VISION - A MULTI AGENCY
APPROACH TO TACKLING HATE CRIME
As part of the Safer Middlesbrough Partnership’s commitment to tackling hate crime,
partners in Middlesbrough have adopted a common approach via the True Vision initiative.
This is a police initiative that aims to increase hate crime reporting using a single selfreporting pack.
Victims of hate crime can report crime in a neutral atmosphere, with the help of a trained
adviser at one of over 30 venues across Middlesbrough. These venues include libraries,
Erimus housing offices, council offices and community-based centres. Reporting packs are
available in all of the reporting centres, they contain a variety of information should
someone have been a victim or witness to a hate crime. Staff can report the incident on
behalf of a person and provide them with advice and support.
Once such crime has been reported, the incident will be taken to the case group (multiagency group that deals with hate crime) where a joint partnership approach is initiated to
tackle the offenders and support the victims. Information taken down will then be passed to
the police and/or relevant organisations such as Victim Support, Erimus Housing with the
permission of the victim. Victims can also report a crime anonymously. This information will
then be monitored for intelligence purposes to give a clearer picture of crime patterns.
Even without the victims’ details the report will help the Partnership to build up a picture of
problem areas and resources can be targeted accordingly.
A specific website has also been created for reporting hate crime, which can be found at:
www.reporthatecrime.co.uk
ASB ENFORCEMENT
West Middlesbrough
A multi agency operation has been ongoing in the Thorndyke Avenue area of Beechwood.
The area has suffered increasing gang nuisance, graffiti, criminal damage, drug/alcohol
abuse and drug dealing. The operation has included the use of surveillance cameras, a
drugs warrant being executed, and legal work is underway to obtain a Crack House
Closure, 2 Council led ASBO’s, 2 Police led ASBO’s and Erimus taking tenancy action. It is
hoped that if the operation is a long-term success, an action plan will be produced for use in
other areas of the town.
On 9th January a 2-year ASBO was secured against a 25 year old man responsible for a
campaign of threats and intimidation towards residents of Urswick Close in Grove Hill. The
Order prevents the defendant from entering Urswick Close, except on Mondays between 12
noon and 3pm to carry out essential visits only to a property he owns in the Close.
He is also prevented from making any contact with 5 named residents who bravely
attended court to give live evidence against him. The investigation also resulted in our
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Housing Benefit Fraud Team identifying a substantial fraudulent claim and Stockton
Council’s Licensing Team revoking his taxi licence.
Unusually costs nearing £2000 were awarded to MBC with instructions that the amount
should be paid in full within 7 months. The Magistrates also praised the work of the
Enforcement Officer and the bravery of local residents.
These residents have been nominated for a 2007 Taking A Stand Award. One of the
witnesses was also given the opportunity to meet the Home Secretary during his visit. She
provided him with details of her experience and explained how the ASBO had made a huge
difference to residents.
South Middlesbrough
A project has been organised for 10 youths who are regularly involved in anti-social
behaviour on the Hemlington estate. The project will run for an 8-week period and will cover
sessions on criminal damage, anti-social behaviour, fire setting and alcohol/drug misuse.
The aim of the project is to address issues within the community and to educate the young
people regarding respect.
The ASB officer has produced a leaflet relating to current issues of fire setting and criminal
damage. The leaflet will be delivered to 350 properties surrounding Ellis Gardens and
Fonteyn Court in an attempt to encourage residents to provide details of the perpetrators. A
leaflet offering Smartwater will also be delivered to all of the properties.
Environmental improvements are continuing in Coulby Newham , with the erection of an
additional light column at the rear of Lingfield Ash/The Garth. The streetlight will house a
mobile camera for a 3-month period, to assist in the identification of people involved in antisocial behaviour.
A multi-agency awareness day is to be held at Nunthorpe School in March. The event will
target Year 10 and 11 pupils and will consist of displays from the asb unit, police, fire
brigade, leisure, drug and alcohol services and PCT. The purpose of the event is to educate
pupils regarding the effects of drug/alcohol misuse and the subsequent involvement of asb.
A joint operation was carried out on Friday 19th January with police and asb officer. A
number of young people were stopped and a large amount of alcohol was confiscated.
Warning letters have been sent out to parents.
Gresham Area
Complaints were received from St Columbus Church regarding the grassed area being
used by drug users. The vicinity was littered with bottles, cans, debris and discarded
needles. The E/O and PCSO arranged for reparation work to be carried out by Probation
Services. The trees and bushes were cut, debris removed and the area was “opened up”
making it less vulnerable.
Ongoing problems at St Aidans Drive included; youths congregating, noise nuisance,
drinking alcohol, using drugs, criminal damage and resident intimidation. A joint operation
was undertaken by both the Council & Erimus E/O, which involved a door knock of
approximately 77 properties. This resulted in the perpetrators being identified, interviewed
and several ABC’s being obtained. Lighting is also to be upgraded in the central grassed
area and bushes/trees are to be cut back. A second door knock concluded that the area is
much quieter and the youths are no longer congregating in this area.
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East Middlesbrough
The team has 2 new recruits who will be covering East Middlesbrough, Robert Brown and
Steve Crick. The officers are currently establishing contact with all relevant stakeholders
within East Middlesbrough including; Ward Members, Residents, Neighbourhood Policing
Team, STEM, local businesses and schools.
CCTV - SPEAKING CAMERAS
World-Wide and national media interest continues with the latest coverage being generated
from Greece and the BBC. A TV company from Greece is in Britain covering our use of
CCTV and is interested in our use of speakers in connection with the cameras and has
requested an interview and recording period at the end of January. A BBC documentary on
the use and development of CCTV over the past 40 years, to be screened in April, is to
include Middlesbrough and our usage of the speakers. Der Spiegel magazine spent 3 days
in February looking at our systems.
Interest has been generated from a number of local authorities and Community Safety
Partnerships who are experiencing problems similar to Middlesbrough and are keen to
adopt the solution.
Conversations with officers from Reditch, Peterborough, West Midlands can be included
with the visitors from Blackpool and East Riding among the ever growing list of local
authorities who are keenly interested in adopting Middlesbrough’s lead. The Home Office is
in full support of the initiative and is promoting the system with other authorities and
Partnerships.
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Teesside University CCTV is now connected by fibre line to the CCTV Control Room
affording access to an additional 39 cameras. Access to this resource and a joint
effort between the two sets of monitoring staff will allow both control rooms to detect
and report criminal and ASB activity quicker, record activity and identity and relay
incidents directly to Police HQ.
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Work is underway to install ducting and fibre lines through Albert Park to the
Clairville Stadium to enable both centres CCTV Cameras to be monitored by the
Control Room.
Coverage achieved so far this year:
Linthorpe Road/Chip Chase Road
Princes Road
Albert Rd (opposite Town Hall)
Central Park (outside Crown Court)
Marton Rd (UGC Cinema)
Bridge Street West
Linthorpe Road/Park Rd South
Albert Road/Grange Road
Central Park/Grange Rd
Marton Rd/Borough Rd
Wilson Street
Infrastructure
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Teesside University linked to Control room;
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Bridge Street, Crown House, Oak Street, Albert Rd/Corporation Rd have been removed
from BT fibre lines onto MBC Private circuit;
A duct network from Riverside Park Road towards Albert Bridge and into town
terminating in the St Aidens estate, to will allow further development of Middlehaven and
enable other cameras to be removed from BT lines.
Additional Activity
A new camera was installed in Grove Hill on the junction of Ashfield/Rosecroft/Hillside
Avenues – whilst the unit was attacked in different ways, it withstood all assaults and
reduced all ASB activity.
Over the last year trials have been taken place to determine the viability of broadband as a
CCTV medium with some success in Hemlington, Beechwood & Berwick Hills. During a
recent upgrading of CCTV equipment in leisure facilities, broadband modems were
attached enabling the cameras to be directly monitored by CCTV Control Room Staff. This
has already reduced arson and car related nuisance in the field by the lake in Hemlington.
Locations presently covered by broadband –
Hemlington Leisure Centre
Beechwood Youth & Community Centre
Prissick Plaza Skating Park
Berwick Hills Leisure Centre (covering Norfolk Shops)
Incident Record
Arrests 26 ; Assisted Arrests 13 ; ASB 21 ; Drug Activity 00 (Operational activity from
Control) ; Robbery/Theft 03 ; Domestic 00 ; Prostitution 31 ; Auto Crime 06
All recorded activity is down on pervious months
Abandoned & Arson Reduction Vehicles
During December and January the following number of vehicles were dealt with : 10
Abandoned Vehicles ; 39 Untaxed Vehicles ; 0 Surrendered Vehicles ; 0 Burnt Out Vehicles
On January 1st 2007 the End of life Vehicle Regulations came in to effect. This charges
the manufacturer with the responsibility for the final disposal of its vehicles, irrespective of
the age. All vehicles for disposal must now be taken to an Authorised Treatment Facility
(ATF) where disposal is free. Collection of vehicles will invoke a charge. Such a site is in
use at Haverton Hill Locations of all ATF's, listed with the manufacturers can be found at
www.cartakeback.com and www.autogreen.org
SECURE BY DESIGN
During the past month 10 planning applications for new building developments has been
dealt with:  2 re-submitted applications for detached dwellings on land adjacent to 147 & 222
Eagle Park, Marton.
 Demolish to the rear and rebuild 19 apartments at the old Ashtree Hotel, 23-25, The
Crescent, Linthorpe.
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 Erection of 3 x 2 storey dwellings on land at East Crescent / Whinney Banks Road,
Whinney Banks.
 Outline planning application for the erection of a dwelling on land adjacent to Coris
Close, Marton Manor.
 Erection of 4 Industrial Units on land at Riverside Park Road.
 Outline planning application for 1 bungalow on land at rear of 1, Bisham Avenue,
Linthorpe.
 A residential development comprising 20 apartments on the old Gospel Hall site,
Saltersgill Avenue, Saltersgill.
 Change of use from office to residential and alterations to 1st. & 2nd. storey
apartments at 138, Borough Road.
 Re-submission of planning application for the erection of a single Industrial unit at
Barton Road, Riverside Park Industrial Estate.
Section input includes studying submitted plans and offering advice with regard to the
security of each. To this end reports are prepared outlining recommendations to the
development Architect, a copy also goes to the relevant Planning Officer. The main aim is
to ensure that all of the developments are being built to Secured by Design standard and in
this regard appearance before the Planning Committee is required to voice objections
against applications on Security or Safety grounds. In most instances the Committee have
accepted these recommendations.
In addition to the above, advice is offered to all applicants for domestic extensions etc. with
26 letters being sent to applicants offering advice. 15 Domestic Security Surveys have also
been undertaken alongside a Personal Safety Talk to staff at Middlesbrough Chamber of
Commerce.
REVIEW OF PREMISES LICENCE ‘7 to 11’, 39 AYRESOME STREET
On 17 January 2007 Members of the Council's Licensing Committee considered an
application by the Police for the review of the licence for the above premises following
concerns regarding underage sales, issues of crime and disorder and public nuisance
caused by underage drinkers in the area.
The Police, who were supported in their application by the Council's Trading Standards
Section, referred to a number of incidents at the premises including a sale of alcohol to a
youth following a joint test purchasing exercise conducted by Police and Trading Standards
and other occasions when alcohol was being sold without the presence of a designated
responsible person at the premises, as required by the Licensing Act 2003.
Members heard evidence from the Police who had found that the responsibility for the sale
of alcohol from the premises had been passed on to staff who were not suitably qualified
and had limited understanding of the licensing laws. Members heard that on several
occasions alcohol from the premises had been confiscated from youths in the vicinity of the
premises by Police Officers.
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Having considered all the evidence Members revoked the licence stating that the business
operation was breaching the licensing objectives. The Premises Licence Holder has 21
days in which to consider an appeal against the decision to the Magistrates Court.
ALLERGY AWARENESS DAY
On Monday 22nd January, officers Community Protection Environmental Health Team held
an Allergy Awareness Day in the Life Store, The Mall Shopping Centre. The aim was to
increase the public’s knowledge and understanding of allergens in foods and to educate the
public on what to look for when cooking at home and dining out. Many allergens are hidden
ingredients in foods and samples of common allergens were on display for the public to
identify, with a cookery demonstration on how to make gluten free biscuits and soups.
HANDWASHING COMPETITION WINNERS
Schoolchildren in Middlesbrough joined forces with Middlesbrough Council’s Community
Protection Service to send out the message ‘Stop Germs Spreading’. Children from local
schools were invited to enter a competition to create a poster with a special hand-washing
message.
The winners, Sarah Hall aged 7 from St. Bernadette’s RC Primary School and Jack
Chapman aged 10 from St Alphonsus RC Primary School, each received portable DVD
players and their schools were given special hand-hygiene kits to help them educate pupils
in the importance of washing hands to prevent the spread of germs.
The winning entries have been made into stickers that will be displayed throughout the
businesses, schools and many other premises in Middlesbrough.
SAFER FOOD TEES VALLEY – TARGETS ACHIEVED AND EXCEEDED
This initiative is funded by the Food Standards Agency to deliver extensive food safety
training to 1200 catering businesses across the Tees Valley. The project finishes in March
2007, and to date all targets set by the project have been exceeded - 86 workshops have
been delivered with 1222 businesses attending with training still ongoing to the end of the
project. The Food Standards Agency carried out a monitoring visit on 16th January to
review the project and were particularly impressed with our success in exceeding our
targets, our data management systems and our partnership working with the other Tees
Valley authorities, Teesside University and Training Agencies with have been essential in
our success. In view of this, the Food Standards Agency have approved a further £18k to
deliver an additional eight courses which will benefit a further 200 food businesses across
the Tees Valley.
TEESSIDE CREMATORIUM - TREE OF LIFE DONATIONS
Over £1,000 was raised during December 2006 in donations to the Teesside Hospice Tree
of Life located at the Teesside Crematorium Chapel of Remembrance. This is a substantial
contribution to the £8,000 already raised since the scheme started.
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Owing to the outstanding success of the Tree it has now been made a permanent feature in
the Chapel of Remembrance. Teesside Hospice are highly delighted and have asked me
to record their thanks to Middlesbrough Council and the people of Teesside for their
generosity. The money raised will be used to help their specialist services for patient care,
adult counselling bereavement services, lymphoedema clinics and the 'Forget-Me-Not
Children's and Young People's Bereavement and Counselling Service.
TRADING STANDARDS SERVICE MOVING FORWARD
Following the success of the money advice service in achieving external accreditation and
the consumer advice service re-opening to the public on a drop in basis to provide full legal
assistance on consumer matters, in partnership with Consumer Direct, I am pleased to
advise of further improvements We now have an additional two Trading Standards officers
and have also recruited to a vacant post of Trading Standards Enforcement Officer. This
now means that after a period of some considerable difficulties the service is fully staffed
and we can look forward to providing the best possible resources for consumers and the
business community in Middlesbrough.
NEW SCHEME FOR DISTRIBUTING FREE LITERATURE
On January 17th I approved the implementation of a licensing scheme, to control the
distribution of free literature in Middlesbrough Town Centre and the surrounding area. This
power was recently made available to Local Authorities under the provisions of the Clean
Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2006. I approved this because I was satisfied that
the irresponsible use of promotional material handed out in the streets was leading to the
defacement of the Town by litter. The provision comes into force after 14th February, with
an effective enforcement date of June 1st 2007. Under the scheme, anyone wanting to
distribute free printed matter in the designated area requires a consent from Middlesbrough
Council. All consents will include conditions about responsible distribution, and litter control
measures such as picking up discarded material.
ABANDONED SHOPPING TROLLEYS
On December 27th 2006, another provision of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment
Act came into force - regarding the abandonment of shopping trolleys. From this date, any
shopping trolleys abandoned in the town became the responsibility of the providers. Council
staff collecting these trolleys can now recharge the trolley providers £110 for their return,
with an additional £20 disposal fee for any uncollected after six weeks. In the first week 84
trolleys were collected, but this had dropped to 15 the second week, showing the great
success of the scheme. I am delighted to see that the local supermarkets, and other trolley
providers have taken this seriously, protecting both their budgets and the environment at
the same time. Discussions continue with the worst offenders, and it is hoped that our
robust approach will encourage them to resolve the issue themselves.
PROSECUTION - HOUSEHOLD WASTE DUTY OF CARE
In a first prosecution of its kind in Middlesbrough, on January 2nd, at Teesside Magistrates
Court, Christopher Driscoll, of Marton Middlesbrough, was found guilty of failing to secure
that waste he produced had transferred to a person authorised to carry it. He was given a
£200 fine together with a contribution of £150 towards the Council's costs. The new offence
came into force last year in requiring people who pass waste on to another person to
ensure they are authorised to carry it. In this case Mr Driscoll had paid an unknown male
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£30 to dispose of a significant amount of household and building waste. Of course this
ended up fly-tipped in St Hilda’s, where is was discovered by Enforcement Officers working
for the Council. The message here is clear - make sure you deal with reputable people - as
cheap deals will most likely end up in trouble. Check that the people who are taking your
rubbish are authorised to carry waste.
PROSECUTION - FAILURE TO HAVE A PROPER WASTE CONTRACT
John Wilson and Graeme Hyde of DEA Partnership, a design firm on Woodlands Road,
Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty on January 23rd. at Teesside Magistrates' Court to failure to
provide copies of waste transfer notes when required by notice to do so, an offence under
Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. A large amount of the firm's waste
was found in the rear alley behind the firm's office, and enquiries showed that, for more
than 15 years, the waste had been left out for the Council to take away unknowingly. The
partners were unable to show that they had a proper waste contract. Magistrates fined
them each £350, and ordered them each to pay £267 each in costs, over £1,200 cost to the
business in total..
PROSECUTION - CABLE BURNER FOUND GUILTY OF BREACHING THE
CLEAN AIR ACT
On 9th January, Darren Genery of no fixed abode was found guilty at Teesside Magistrates
Court of burning electrical cable, with a view to recovering the metal. The offence took
place on Marsh road in August 2006. Sentencing was adjourned until 6 th February when the
Council will be seeking a Criminal Antisocial Behaviour Order (CRASBO) against him.
PROSECUTION – LITTERING
Steven Jackson, 26 of Craven Vale, Guisborough, was spotted throwing away a cigarette
end in Newport Road, by a Middlesbrough Council environmental improvement officer in
September last year. Jackson wouldn’t pick it up and was given an £80 fixed penalty notice
for littering, but he still didn’t pay and so was referred for court action. On 30th January
2007, he failed to turn up for the hearing at Teesside magistrates court, so the case was
proved in his absence and he was fined £100 with £122 costs.
PEST CONTROL TEAM RECRUITS WINGED HELPER
On a lighter note, the Pest Control Service have been delighted with the help they have
been receiving from a recent visitor to Middlesbrough - in the shape of a European Eagle
Owl. This bird is normally a resident of Scandinavia and other parts of Europe but has
moved to Middlesbrough Centre to feast on the local pests such as pigeons and seagulls,
that have been fattened by irresponsible people who feed them chips and pasties in the
street. The Eagle Owl was hunted to extinction in Britain in the last century, so it is a
welcome return. It has a wingspan of several feet, so it is certainly the top predator around.
I understand that the Pest Control staff have given it the nickname "Eddie" after a certain
British skier who rose to fame during the Winter Olympics some years ago.
BARRY COPPINGER
EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY SAFETY & LEISURE
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