Teesside community urged to help prevent anti-social behaviour
People are asked to help stop violence and acts of vandalism
We are being urged to help prevent violence and acts of vandalism due to anti-social behaviour across Teesside.
Over the weekend, emergency services attended a number of incidents in and around Birchington Avenue of the Grangetown area.
Cleveland Fire Brigade say they attended on four different occasions where they experienced groups of youths deliberately setting fires and attacking one of their fire engines, severely damaging the windscreen with bricks.
The service says due to the damage the fire engine will remain off the road whilst it gets repaired, costing thousands of pounds.
Simon Weastell, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, and Director of Community Protection said: “It is completely unacceptable for our staff to be subject to violence and acts of vandalism whilst protecting the public.
“Our job is being made more difficult by the thoughtless actions of a minority intent on setting fires and then trying to injure staff and damage engines. In this instance it means a vehicle is off the road and unavailable to respond to other incidents. These attacks also divert crews from real emergencies where lives may be at risk.
“Such violence also puts firefighters at risk of serious injury. Cleveland Fire Brigade will not tolerate such attacks. Our vehicles are fitted with CCTV cameras and staff are equipped with body cams and we will use any evidence we have to support the police to secure a prosecution of anyone who has been violent towards our staff and vandalised property.”
We would like to appeal directly to our local communities to help us identify those responsible for such dangerous and anti-social behaviour.“
If you know who is behind these attacks, please get in touch via FireStoppers which is 100% anonymous. Alternatively, you can call them on 0800 169 5558.
Cleveland Police say to further reassure the community neighbourhood officers have been visiting households, speaking with occupants, and distributing leaflets with advice and a reminder how to contact police with any concerns or to report crime/ASB.
Cleveland Police also contacted Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council to tidy the area and improve the environment for residents.
Superintendent Emily Harrison said: “Cleveland Police neighbourhood officers are working with colleagues from our Matrix team and the new Redcar & Cleveland Proactive Team as well as the local authority.
“I hope the increased police presence reassures residents that we take such incidents extremely seriously, that we will not tolerate crime, disorder or ASB and that we are here for the community.
“A dispersal order also remains in place for the area, and we will deal with anybody who breaches it.
“Police enquiries are ongoing and I would urge anyone with any information to contact Cleveland Police via 101, online by visiting www.cleveland.police.uk
“If you don’t want to speak to police you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or phone them on 0800 555 111.”