Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham has welcomed targeted police action in Hardwick to tackle a spate of criminal and anti-social behaviour that has been carried out by youths in the area.
Alex and his team have been working closely with Cleveland Police and ward councillors after local residents got in touch to voice their concerns about the ongoing criminal activity. A number of actions were taken as result of this work including applying a dispersal order in the Hardwick area, targeting motorbike usage through “Operation Kickstart”, and Stockton Borough Council’s enforcement team being deployed too the area for two weeks.
Since this work has been carried out the police have confirmed that a number of youths have been identified and one had been charged for criminal damage. The ward councillors, Nigel Cooke and Norma Stephenson OBE, are now applying for private CCTV to be placed in key locations across the ward.
Alex said:
“My team has been working closely with the police, council, and local councillors to tackle the issue of anti-social behaviour in the Hardwick area. Thanks to good joint working the police have now identified the perpetrators and cracked down on anti-social behaviour through dispersal orders and enforcement activity.
“Nigel and Norma are working hard to find ways to keep Hardwick free of anti-social behaviour, with CCTV being one step to ensuring the area is monitored and people are kept safe. I’m sure local residents will be pleased that action has happened but urge them to keep reporting incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour to the police.”
Residents are encouraged to contact Cleveland Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Reports will be treated confidentially. Alternatively, residents of Stockton North can contact Alex’s office or their ward councillors.
