Stockport Prevention Hub helping to keep youngsters on the right side of the law

Stockport’s specialist officers are engaging with youngsters in the town to keep them away from crime. 

The work being carried out by the Stockport Prevention Hub has not only seen a drop in youth anti-social behaviour during school holidays but is also saving GMP public money. 

One offender, a teenage boy, had been costing the force around £20,000 a month but he hasn’t committed a crime for over a year following intervention work by our officers. 

PS Darren Stewart said: “The Stockport Prevention Hub continues to tackle individuals and locations creating the highest levels of demand for the police and our partners across Stockport.  

“We had been experiencing sustained levels of high demand generated by one teenage boy – he had been linked to 27 incidents and 11 crimes over a period of three months. 

“He was part of a larger group, and repeatedly went missing and was involved in numerous assaults, thefts and ASB around Brinnington and the town centre.

“Victims included staff and students at the subject’s school, other vulnerable juveniles, and local businesses. 

“We worked closely with the young person, his family and other partners to secure a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) and have conducted numerous other engagement activities. 

“The indications are that our intervention has changed his mindset, there’s been a vast improvement in his behaviour.  

“The subject is now back in school and engaging well with Youth Offending Service and partners. 

“As a result, the demand he was placing on our officers has now completely stopped and has resulted in a saving of around £20,000 a month.” 

PC Graham Umpleby, CC Stephen Watson and PC Steve Gotts

Stockport Prevention Hub carried out operations targeting youth anti-social behaviour in the town centre last summer and over the Christmas holiday. 

The initiative involved plain-clothes patrols and partnership working with Stockport Council and the Youth Offending Team. 

PS Stewart added: “Anti-social behaviour, including verbal abuse, threatening behaviour, harassment, intimidation, vandalism and criminal damage, had been highlighted as an issue in Stockport town centre and is a priority not just in Stockport but across the force.  

“Analysis showed that historically, year-on-year, ASB incidents in the town centre increase throughout the school holidays, especially in the summer and at Christmas.  

“Greater Manchester Police won't tolerate anti-social behaviour and will always take decisive action. 

“Our aim was to proactively engage with youths, promoting various agencies' diversionary schemes to deter crime and ASB.  

“The plain-clothes initiative improved public and business confidence in reporting incidents, providing a safer environment to work and shop. 

“Engagement work will continue as a priority is to build public confidence in the police by working with partners and communities.  

“Police officers and PCSOs will also attend public meetings on a regular basis and further initiatives are being planned. 

“We are currently doing a lot of work around our care homes by developing links with both staff and residents. 

“We are introducing them to the Operation Troop pledge which outlines what proactive steps must be taken to trace a child’s whereabouts when they go missing from care before contacting the police.

"This pledge is about working more effectively together to ensure appropriate safeguarding measures are in place for children who go missing from care.”

How to contact us

Our neighbourhood teams are dedicated to tackling the key issues that matter to you through our problem-solving approach.

Incidents of ASB and criminal behaviour should always be reported to police via our website or 101, or shared anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always dial 999. 

Anyone who sees criminality or has suspicions should always report it to police via 101. 

You can also report information and crimes on our website (www.gmp.police.uk) using the 'report' tool. Alternatively, you can report information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 in an emergency.   

Bee in the Loop is your direct line to your neighbourhood policing team. To receive free text or email alerts to keep you in the loop about what is happening on your street and in your local community, sign up to www.beeintheloop.co.uk.