'Big plans' to tackle shoplifting and crime in Stockton says MP
We've been speaking to Chris McDonald the MP for Stockton North
A Teesside MP tells us he has big plans to help tackle shoplifting and crime in Stockton.
Stockton North's Chris McDonald says there's going to be more enforcement of the law on the high street with extra officers to help people feel safe.
But he also explains there is a huge drug issue in the town too which adds to the problem: "I was out with Cleveland Police recently when they picked a few people up, actually, and you can absolutely see people with devastating drug habits who were stealing to feed the habit and need help and support, but also the people who were feeding the drugs into the system as well. So I do recognise it's an issue that some people are concerned about, but there are quite a lot of things going on to try and tackle that now.
"On Stockton high street, we're doing much more on enforcement. The local council has enforcement officers, and the police too. But I think the important thing is that we have trust and confidence, in terms of people feeling safe on the high street as well.
"A lot of this is linked to drugs and drug crime. So again, part of my plan, my five-point plan, is also about how we're tackling drug crime. And that is also a support issue, because you've got people with drug addiction problems who need support to get off the problem, but then you need the enforcement to tackle the dealers as well."