‘Getting better, but still a lot of work to be done’
A TROUBLED estate once branded ‘Little Beirut’ is seeing a huge crackdown on crime but police say there is still ‘a long way to go.’
Hemlington – a Middlesbrough estate – once plagued with antisocial behaviour has apparently seen a huge reduction in antisocial behaviour after a joint campaign was launched.
There have been arrests, drug seizures and interventions, as well as CCTV and alleyway gates installed as part of Operation Fortress.
The Gazette has repeatedly reported on the issues on the estate from arson attacks to viscous assaults. One of the most serious incidents involved an attempted murder on Faygate Court in January.
Another incident saw a pensioner forced to create a makeshift net to protect his house from youngsters with catapults. At the time The Gazette visited the area and found fire remains, boarded up windows and litter strewn across the ground.
The resident – who asked to be anonymous – said this back in January: “If you look at the roofs you’ll see loads of debris and stones. I collected a fist full out here. The kids fire them from catapults – they just don’t care.
“It’s the worst place I’ve ever lived and I’ve lived in loads of different places. I have considered moving.”
However, thanks to Operation Fortress things are changing, according to Cleveland Police.
The force has teamed up with Middlesbrough Council, schools, Cleveland Fire Brigade and housing providers to target crime in the area.
We took a walk with Superintendent Rachel Stockdale around one of the trouble hotspots – near the Viewley Centre. Superintendent Stockdale could be seen chatting with residents and youngsters on the estate and said the community has played a vital role in the positive changes.
She said: “It’s about coming together as partners and looking at how we can all work with each other to help. The main player is the community and they’re very much a part of the solution and we want to gain the trust of the community so they tell us what is going on.
“It’s fair to say this is not sorted. We are not sitting here saying this is the end result.
“We are in a better position than we were but there is still a lot of work to be done.
“We’re getting some real positive feedback from the community and our partners and it’s starting to feel a little bit better but we still have a long way to go.”
Superintendent Stockdale urged residents to report antisocial behaviour and said she understands why some residents have felt let down in the past.
She said: “I totally understand and we are here listening very closely and whilst I can’t comment of what has happened on the past what I want to ensure is from this point on we don’t make the same mistakes.
“I want the community to be involved and I want to be able to really make a difference.”
According to Superintendent Stockdale, the newest figures since Operation Fortress began in February, show:
a 55% reduction of antisocial behaviour; a 54% reduction in arson; a 30% reduction in crime.
She said the positive changes have been achieved through listening to the community, and working together.
The Hemlington visit coincided with ASB Awareness Week 2022 which ran from July 18 to 22 and was launched to encourage communities to take a stand against antisocial behaviour.
Anyone with information about crime or antisocial behaviour can call the police on 101, or in an emergency call 999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.