14.06.23 – Staffordshire Police Crackdown on Burglaries, SOTCC – The Big Green Fund

Staffordshire Police are continuing to crackdown on residential burglaries as part of their commitment to attend all reported incidents across Staffordshire.

Since they pledged in 2020 to attend and investigate all reported residential burglaries unless there is an exceptional reason for us not to do so, Police have:

• seen a significant increase in the number of arrests and charges for burglary
• increased patrols in burglary hotspot areas
• ·neighbourhood officers have worked closely with experienced detectives to improve the effectiveness of burglary investigations
• liaised with other forces to identify cross-border patterns and offenders
• ·outcome rates for burglary offences have risen both nationally and locally

From February last year to February this year, more than 190 suspects have been charges with burglary offences across Staffordshire and Police have attended more than 2,800 burglary reports in 2022.

In February this year, a team of specialist officers have been working alongside neighbourhood officers in Stoke-on-Trent to investigate burglaries. This has led to an increase in charging suspects for burglary, theft and robbery, a case against 13 individuals for burglaries across the city, the recovery of a significant amount of stolen property and an improved outcome rate of 19.4%, which is far higher than the national average.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Bryan, who is the force’s burglary lead, said: “Burglary has a significant and long-lasting effect on victims and we are committed to bringing more offenders to justice in Staffordshire.

“Though we recognise there is a lot more work to be done, I am pleased that we have already seen significant improvements in justice outcomes for victims and I know we will see further prosecutions in the weeks and months to come.”

Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime, Ben Adams said: “I understand the distress felt by anyone experiencing a break in. The impact of burglary cannot be underestimated, so a police visit to provide reassurance, collect evidence and offer prevention advice is essential in my view.

“This approach was first taken by Staffordshire Police in February 2020 and I’m pleased that residents across England and Wales are now benefitting from the same service that people in Staffordshire have received.”

To find out how to protect your property from burglary, see: Protecting your home from crime | Crime prevention | Staffordshire Police

To report crime in your area, contact us via Live Chat on our website – www.staffordshire.police.uk or call 101.

Always call 999 in an emergency.

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Stoke-on-Trent City Council has announced a new initiative community scheme, the ‘Big Green Fund’, which has been created to help tackle fly-tipping, help promote sustainable and environmentally friendly neighbourhoods, and unite residents and communities.

Up to £90,000 is available for residents and community groups to apply for to help clear and rejuvenate local brownfield/abandoned plots of land, unadopted alleyways, an area in a local park or small grass areas.

The fund will cover two successful entries in the north of the city, two in the south of the city, and two in the central area of the city, with a maximum fund allocation of £15,000 per site.

To find out more about the eligibility criteria and application process visit – www.stoke.gov.uk/thebiggreen

The entry form will also detail what options are available when thinking about what to do with unadopted spaces, from a community garden in an unadopted alleyway to a flower meadow.

The closing date for entries is Sunday 23 July at midnight.