Reports suggest increase in drug and alcohol related crime in Hull
Hull East Neighbourhood Policing Officers covering the Drypool Ward area have been tackling reports
Police in Hull say they're managed to significantly reduce drug and alcohol related crime as well as anti-social behaviour in the Drypool area following complaints.
Resources were put into tackling the issue after concerns were raised including allegations some houses were taken over by drug dealers.
A total of 24 people have been arrested.
13 people have also been safeguarded against cuckooing (where criminals take over someone’s home to use it as a base for crime).
There were safety measures including extra CCTV and increased patrols put in place, too.
PC Lee Eggleton said the force have been working to do this over the past couple of months, "It quickly became a ward priority, and we naturally got immediate buy in from all key partners including Violence Prevention Officers from Hull City Council, Public Health England, the drug and alcohol service ReNew, and the Council’s dedicated ASB team.
“We also sought extra funding from the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner to be able to tackle the issues with additional effective resources and together we soon got to work making a difference.
“I first arranged a public meeting to understand what the community needed, and what was expected from all partners.
“We then conducted extensive HumberTalking surveys to gain a deeper insight into what it was like to live in the area, what the issues were, encouraging them to report to us, and also using it as an opportunity to gather information to help us build a bigger picture around offending and look to put specific operational plans in place to tackle it.
“I then linked in with our force Crime Reduction Unit and teamed up with a Designing Out Crime officer to visit the area and make recommendations around how to visually improve it.
“In simple terms, the idea is that if we can make an area more attractive, we can help deter crim within that area and so the Designing Out Crime officers look at crime prevention techniques into the layout, landscaping, and physical security of areas to ensure that it is safe, secure, and sustainable for the future. In essence, designing out crime!
“The team advised changes or additions to be made including repairing fencing in the area which could have been considered a convenient way for criminals to move around undetected because they could avoid the main streets and therefore main CCTV cameras in the area.
“Together we looked at the layouts to ensure there was nothing that could further advantage a criminal, and this resulting in cutting foliage back allowing more natural light and less blind spots for individuals to evade police.
“We also cleared rubbish from gardens and streets.
“As part of our local policing daily patch walks, we focused around the Drypool Ward area and invited colleagues along from Hull City Council and the support agency ReNew to provide that additional support for drug and alcohol users in the area. From this we arranged weekly drop ins at a local community centre for people to attend.
“Uniform and plain-clothed activity also took place, and we utilised Passive Drugs Dogs to assist us on stop searches in the area.
“From the information we were provided, 11 Misuse of Drugs warrants were executed on multiple properties on Arundel Close, Brazil Street, Durham Street, Denaby Court, Silkstone Walk, Sweet Dews Grove and Rustenburg Street resulting in class A and B drugs, weapons, and cash being recovered, taking dangerous items out of circulation and off our streets. A total of 24 arrests have also been made as part of this activity.
“Five Closure Orders were granted for properties on Colenso Avenue, Durham Street, Arundel Close, Hickleton Close and Denaby Court in connection with anti social behaviour and drugs crime, and two Civil Injunctions were placed on properties on Durham Street and Cudworth Grove.
“All of which I’m certain will have improved the quality of life for the community living amongst it.
“We have also put clinks in some Organised Crime Group chains, with seven people being sentenced over the last few months for offences including possession with intent to supply class A drugs, conspiracy to supply class A drugs, and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs receiving a combined total of 15 years behind bars."