The Stockport police hub keeping youngsters on the straight and narrow

The Stockport Prevention Hub is having a huge impact on crime in the area

Written by Thom Bamford
Last updated 7 months ago
Community, Stockport

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.

The dedicated efforts of Stockport’s law enforcement officers have led to a remarkable reduction in youth-related crimes, particularly during school holidays.

Notably, one success story highlights the transformative impact of proactive intervention.

Stockport Prevention Hub

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 officers.

The results have so far been promising.

The teenager, once a source of considerable demand on police resources, has not committed a crime for over a year.

His reintegration into school and positive engagement with support services signify a tangible shift in mindset.

PS Darren Stewart

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.”

Tackling antisocial behaviour on school holidays

Last summer and during the Christmas holidays, the Stockport Prevention Hub actively targeted youth anti-social behaviour in the town centre.

Their approach involved undercover patrols and working closely with Stockport Council and the Youth Offending Team to tackle the issue head-on

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.”

Header photo shows PC Graham Umpleby, CC Stephen Watson and PC Steve Gotts (credit GMP)

You can find out more about the Stockport Prevention Hub by clicking here

This article was last updated 7 months ago.
It was first published on 16 May 2024 and is subject to be updated from time to time. Please refresh or return to see the latest version.

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