Traders and shoppers in Stockton Town Centre are fed up of anti-social behaviour, says Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham, as he calls on the Cleveland Police Crime Commissioner to unveil a strategy to tackle bad behaviour on the High Street.
Several businesses have been in touch with Alex to raise their concerns with anti-social behaviour, with incidences of ASB being reported on social media such as Stockton on Tees Alerts. Alex is now working with the Stockton Council leadership and officers, and Stockton BID, to explore ways to tackle this issue.
Increased police enforcement is a key ask of traders and shoppers and Alex has written to the Police and Crime Commissioner requesting that he set out his strategy to increase town centre policing. Although PCC’s do not have operational powers they do publish a Police and Crime Plan which sets the agenda for local policing, and are elected to hold the Chief Constable to account.
Alex said
“Local people are understandably fed up of anti-social behaviour in Stockton Town Centre and want to see a stop to it. Businesses have had a difficult time over the pandemic and need support as they emerge from the pandemic – and this included making sure their trading environment is welcoming and not blighted by anti-social behaviour.
“I’m working with the Council to look at ways to tackle this issue but it is clear that people want to see more police in their High Street. That’s why I’ve written to the Police and Crime Commissioner asking for his to put forward his plan to tackle this issue. Police and Crime Commissioners don’t have operational powers but they definitely do set the policing agenda for their force. I hope he takes this issue on board and puts forward a plan that will see more police in our High Street.”
Alex is meeting with Council officials, Cleveland Police and Stockton BID on Friday 2 July.
