Illegal encampment in Stoke cleared
An operation took place last week
Officers on patrol in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, have worked in partnership with neighbourhood officers and Stoke-on-Trent City Council to clear an illegal homeless encampment.
The joint operation took place last Wednesday (24 September), after increased foot patrols in the area which highlighted ongoing concerns around safety and cleanliness.
Police Constable Naomi Owen from the Problem Solving team, said: “Through our increased foot patrols, officers identified this site as a hotspot for anti-social behaviour.
“Neighbourhood officers and the City Council worked together to remove waste from the area and signpost individuals to local support services where appropriate.”
Head of Community Safety at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Alexander Gould, said: "Stoke-on-Trent City Council, in partnership with Staffordshire Police, has taken definitive action to reclaim public spaces and address anti-social behaviour and crime reported in connection with illegal encampments. Our approach is robust: we are firm on enforcement to secure our city for all residents, but this is coupled with intensive, dedicated outreach. Our priority is ensuring that every vulnerable individual is immediately linked to housing, health, and specialist support services to achieve sustainable outcomes and a permanent pathway away from the streets."
Cabinet member for housing and planning at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Councillor Chris Robinson, said: “Homelessness is a complex issue which we know has been exacerbated over the last few years due to things like the cost-of-living crisis and housing pressures.
“Locally, there are simply not enough affordable homes available to those on the lowest incomes
"But we’re committed to doing everything we can to ensure everyone – including our most vulnerable residents – have a decent place to call home. And we want to make sure that they are being given the support they need to live independently.”
Cabinet member for community resilience and safety at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Councillor Majid Khan, said: “Our priority is to support those who are struggling, but we must also make it clear that we will not tolerate behaviour that puts others at risk or damages our communities. We all have a responsibility to each other.
“There’s incredible support available in Stoke-on-Trent for those ready to accept help. This work shows how we’re addressing both the causes and the consequences of rough sleeping and anti-social behaviour. We’re committed to supporting our most vulnerable residents but everyone has a responsibility to contribute to safe, respectful communities.
“I want to thank all our teams, Staffordshire Police and Changing Lives for their joint efforts to make Stoke-on-Trent a safer, cleaner, and more supportive city for everyone.”