Humberside Police and North East Lincolnshire Council have teamed up to tackle Anti-Social Behaviour in the town centre.
Across three days of action, teams patrolled Victoria Street, St James Square and Riverhead Square with an aim of making the area safer for residents and visitors.
Taking part in the operation were members of the Council’s ASB team, Humberside Police officers and the Waste Investigations Support & Enforcement (WISE) team. Working together, they conducted several stop searches, issued multiple warnings and made an arrest.
The warnings included Community Protection Warnings (CPWs); Community Protection Notices (CPNs) and Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) dispersal orders.
A dispersal order is the first step used by authorities to reduce ASB. These are given by the Council and mean the offender can’t return to an area for a period of 24 hours.
However, if their behaviour continues, the police can give the person a CPW which warns them that they must stop certain behaviour. This can then be escalated to a CPN which legally orders a person to stop causing ASB.
In North East Lincolnshire, certain CPNs, like those issued during this operation, also prevent offenders from returning to a specific area – in this case, Grimsby town centre.
Should they return or continue with the behaviour within the space of six months, the individual can be given a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) or fine with continuing behaviour leading to a court prosecution.
Other elements of the three days involved tackling those who were breaking the PSPO that is in action across the town centre. This means you cannot ride a bike or similar vehicle down Victoria Street, among other things like littering, or you will receive a fine.
Ultimately, this continued partnership working led to an extremely successful operation, taking a major step forward in creating a safer and more welcoming town centre. The results from the three day were:
- One person charged for a breach of a CPN
- Two FPNs issued for a breach of a CPN
- Three CPWs issued
- Nine stop searches, with Class B and C drugs discovered during some of the searches
- Four PSPO dispersals issued
- Nine FPNs issued by WISE for littering and riding a bike in the town centre
- One person arrested in relation to drug offences
Since July, 33 CPWs have been issued in the town centre and four CPNs. Of those four, two have been fined and one is now being prosecuted in court.
Speaking on the success, Councillor James Sawkins, Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: “This is some astounding work by the Council and its partners.
“We know how frustrating and disrupting ASB can be in general, not just in Grimsby town centre. Thanks to our positive relationship with out police colleagues, we are moving forward in reducing ASB in this area and will continue to do so across the whole of North East Lincolnshire.”
He added: “These results are two fold however. Whilst it is a sign to the public that we are working harder than ever, it is also a message to those who are causing ASB.
“Your behaviour will not be tolerated and appropriate action will be carried out to ensure you don’t continue to cause a problem for those who are behaving.”
Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Kieran Taylor said: “The operation has already made a tangible difference, and the success is a result of strong partnerships, from local businesses to community groups.
“Our work does not stop here, and we will continue to collaborate with partners and local community groups to bring all agencies together with one aim to improve the lives of the community and the town centre.
“We encourage you to speak to us when you see us out and about or call us on our non-emergency number 101 to let us know about anything that is concerning you.
“Alternatively, if you would like to give information anonymously, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
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