Agenda and minutes

The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record.

Members were presented with the Recorded Crime & Disorder report, the report focused on the recorded crime in the Stockton on Tees Borough over a 12-month period starting in December 2024 to December 2025.

The key points highlighted to Members from the report were as follows:

·                     Publicly reported offenses had reduced but Police generated crime had increased.

·                     Publicly reported Anti-Social Behaviour had increased.

·                     Violence Overall showed a 0.3% increase however Officers noted that within that category Stalking and Harassment had a 5.9% decrease.

·                     Death or serious injury caused by illegal driving had the greatest reduction of 55.6% 

·                     Arson had increased by 4.4% during the 12-month period. But overall criminal damage was down by 10.4%

·                     Another increase highlighted to members was the number of Drug Offences which had increased by 12.9% during the period.

Officers reassured members that work had already begun in regards to the increases but noted that some were to be expected due to proactive Police work. For example, the increase in drug offenses was from the Police having undertaken operations related to organised crime.

Members AGREED to note the report.

Officers from Cleveland Police presented a report to Members on Retail Crime, within it they discussed their strategic objectives, prevention and early intervention, Officers also spoke on enforcement and pursing offenders.

In relation to Cleveland Polices strategic objectives Officers stated that they aimed to make “Cleveland’s retail safe, thriving, and resilient”. They would achieve this proactive problem solving, early intervention and to make sure to pursue repeat offenders through coordinated enforcement and prosecution. It was also acknowledged that the partnership approach with stakeholders needed to be strengthened. Officers would target hotspot areas identified through the use of data and intelligence; they would also make use environmental improvements such as CCTV and business layouts.

The importance of supporting victims was also discussed with Members which could take the form of follow up contact and reassurance visits, alongside the promotion of victim support services and business crime guidance.

In the discussion following the presentation Members asked Officers if they were looking at the reasons behind some areas of retail crime for example food theft. Officers were happy to explain that they would look into each case and try to sign post the offender to help them with the root cause.

Members also discussed Officers strategy in regards to repeat offenders, Officers informed members that profiles would be made of repeat offenders and Officers would then look at how best to tackle them. Members were keen to share this information to see if repeat offenders could be guided to partners best able to help them.

Members AGREED to note the report.

Members of the Partnership were presented with an update report on Operation Autumnus 2025. Officers explained that the Autumnus was the annual joint operation between the Police, Fire and Stockton Council. It started in October and ran through to Bonfire Night, it included letters to households about waste accumulation, safety advice to parents and children (including animal welfare) as well as Social Media posts by all partners.

Police data for the last six years was shared with Members and a spike in ASB and Criminal Damage could be seen for the autumnus period. Officers noted that they had traditionally seen a spike in these incidents from 13th October to 10th November. The graph showed that the highest numbers of incidents (64was in 2022, with the 2020 the year of the pandemic predictably showing the lowest number. Last year (2025) there were 31 reported incidents which was on part with 2024 and 2019.

It was noted the Hardwick and Roseworth were the busiest wards on both 30th October and 5th November. These areas also generated the highest number of services calls to SBC during the period. While service demand from Stockton Town Centre fell significantly when compared to last year. Overall, Officers were pleased to report that total service calls to SBC had decreased year on year.

Before the Autumnus joint operations began between SBC, Police and Fire the levels of ASB and Criminal Damage were much higher. This successful operation has had a positive impact on reported incidents. A change of behaviour had been noted, with perpetrators not targeting householders as in previous years and the ASB being more sporadic in nature.

Each year partners share information, conduct joint patrols and develop cohesive messaging to ensure the public is kept informed about parters activities and how to safety enjoy the Bonfire period.

Members AGREED to note the update.

Officers from the Councils Licensing Team gave an update to members on the Reducing the Strength (RTS) Scheme. They began by briefly reminding members about the scheme, in which off licences voluntarily agreed to stop selling beer, lager, and cider with an alcohol content above 6.5% ABV. It was launched in September 2025 with 9 members agreeing to partake in the scheme, but since the launch 2 extra members had agreed to join the scheme.

Participant feedback was disused with members, several participants reported that they had seen less incidents since joining the scheme. While some noted no real change as they had already been practising the principles of the scheme. Participants were asked if the scheme had an impact on sales or profits, with most respondents stating there had been no noticeable change.

Participants were also asked to share feedback from customers which was mostly neutral while some customers gave positive comments. All participants also stated that they felt they had enough support from the Licensing Team, most respondents also stated they did not need any extra support for the scheme. When asked if they would recommend the scheme to other retailers all respondents said yes.

The initial data showed a reduction in ASB incidents directly linked to alcohol reported by the public, partner agencies and Civic Enforcement Officers. It had also shown a reduction in the number of alcohol related breaches of the PSPO identified by Civic Enforcement Officers. The scheme continued to contribute to the Councils plan, vision for the Councils Town Centres and had increased retailer participation rates.

Going forward the Licensing Team would monitor the scheme to identify gaps where changes may need to be made, to use data to review and refine the scheme and promote the scheme to other premises to engage with the scheme.

Members AGREED to note the report.

Members were given an update on Operation Shield by Officers. The update began with Officers reminding members of the Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) in Stockton and Norton town centres.

Partners were informed that the current PSPO came into force in April 2023. And as per the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, PSPOs only last for 3 years and then they expire. They can be altered, disposed of, or extended for another three-year period. This process and decision in Stockton was carried out at executive Cabinet level.

A public consultation was held for the raft 2026 PSPO from 8th December 2025 to the 9th January 2026. It was carried out in person and online by SBC Consultation staff and SBC Community Safety. Paper copies were also available in the local libraries.

The data from the consultation was still being processed but Officers shared some raw data-oriented results with the Partnership. There were 528 either full or partial responses received for the survey/public consultation, 18 paper copies being incorporated into the overall results.

The full results of the survey would be available to members of the partnership at a later date. Officers informed members that the next step in the draft PSPOs journey would be to go to Cabinet in March 2026.

Members AGREED to note the update.

Officers informed members that the annual benchmarking process would soon be approaching. The Council had exceeded or met the requirements every year and Officers were confident that would continue.

Members AGREED to note the update.

Members were given a brief update on the Bleed Cabinets that had been installed.

Members AGREED to note the update.

Members were presented with a restricted report that provided an overview on crime comparisons against other similar CSPs utilising iQuanta.

This report was a restricted document due to the statistical information only made available as an intelligence tool for partnerships until released by the Home Office.

AGREED that the report be noted.

Due to the connection to an ongoing Police investigation this Agenda Item was restricted.

Agreed that the update be noted.

Members were presented with a restricted report that provided an overview on Town Centre Action Plan.

AGREED that the report be noted.