CHURCH BENCH GONE IN EFFORT TO DETER ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
Force has also stepped up patrols in town
POLICE have stepped up patrols around a town centre church in a bid to tackle drinking, drug-dealing and anti-social behaviour.
Officers have been deployed to the streets surrounding St Giles’ Church in Newcastle in response to concerns from businesses.
Staffordshire Police has also secured the removal of a bench that was located at the entrance to the church, which had become a gathering point for groups of trouble-makers.
The move comes as the force introduces a new policing model which sees the town get its own, dedicated response officers based in the town instead of Hanley.
Newcastle BID has raised concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour in the town centre which, together with a lack of police presence in the area, has adversely affected the number of people visiting the town.
Police say they have increased patrols at key times and are moving people away and carrying out stopand-searches.
Businesses based near the church said groups taking drugs, shouting and drinking have proved intimidating for shoppers. They welcomed the removal of the bench from Church Street.
Chloe Holmes from Cloco Beauty, which is next to the church, said: “I get here early and I do see the police around. In the last week or so there are a lot more around.
“The bench has gone which is a big help. The police came and asked me about getting rid of it and I supported it.
“The whole area is affected by anti-social behaviour. There’s a lot of shouting and a lot a cans. It’s intimidating for a lot of people.”
Debbie Salt, who works next door at Bailey’s Vintage Tea Room, said: “We get people outside drinking, shouting and swearing. They scare a lot of older people and it puts people off coming into the town which isn’t good for the businesses. It’s not a good image for Newcastle.
“The police have stepped it up in the last fortnight, moving people on and making arrests. I’ve seen the PCSOS too. It has been better.”
Under the new model there are 70 officers covering Newcastle across five shifts, providing 24-hour coverage for 999 calls. It is estimated there will be 14 to 15 PCS per response shift.
Newcastle neighbourhood sergeant Stephen Windridge, said the officers would be based solely in Newcastle, meaning they will have more knowledge of the local problems. He said: “In terms of how that looks for the town centre, we’re going to have a lot more officers that are already in Newcastle so the ability to respond to immediate incidents of public order or issues on the town is going to be hugely increased.”