WORKING with the community has helped a Neighbourhood Policing officer in Gateshead tackle a problem with criminal damage.

Since the beginning of February there has been an increase in youth disorder and criminal damage in the Wardley area of Gateshead, especially in the streets surrounding Wardley park.

Problems included graffiti on the walls of houses, park play equipment being broken and wheelie bins and other garden equipment being stolen.

Gateshead East Neighbourhood Policing Team PC Stewart Dixon had been contacted by residents and spoken to local businesses. He also kept a check on the number of incidents being reported to police and was able to identify people who the community had identified as being involved with the damage.

Following this he put a number of actions in place, including:

• increasing the number of patrols, especially at times when disorder occurred
• stopping youths and taking their details
• gathering information from people affected in the area
• sending letters to parents and guardians of youths who were causing most of the damage and disorder
• contacting local councillors to share information
• contacting the local housing department at Leam Lane to make them aware of the ongoing problem, arranging for letters to be sent to the local community about police and council actions in the area and warning of the consequences if problems persisted.

PC Dixon  said: "Since the letters were sent out and patrols increased, the amount of youth disorder in the area has been dramatically reduced.

"Local residents are still been contacted with updates on the recent work done and I've been making sure they have had  no further problems in the local area.

"We will also continue the foot patrols in the area to try and keep a high visibility presence."

This initiative comes under the umbrella of Northumbria Police's latest campaign 'Enough is Enough' which aims to ease the agitation, annoyance, aggravation, irritation and frustration people suffer through criminal damage.

Gateshead Council head of communities and neighbourhoods Kate Israel, said: "We know residents want to live in a cleaner and safer Gateshead free from anti-social behaviour. Through our work with police and other partners we're determined to tackle the inconsiderate few who abuse their neighbourhoods.

"It's particularly pleasing to see this action in Wardley has brought results so quickly and I hope it sends out a clear message to anyone involved in anti-social behaviour that it will not be tolerated."

BACK TO NEWS <<