Multi-agency intiative to tackle crime in East Middlesbrough
Project Orme focusses on the three wards in TS3 to improve residents' lives
We are hearing about a multi-agency initiative to tackle organised crime and improve the lives of people living in East Middlesbrough.
Project Orme will focus on reducing crime and improving engagement with those who live in three wards in TS3 - Berwick Hills and Pallister, Park End and Beckfields and Brambles and Thorntree.
The project is named after the Orme the Viking statue in Berwick Hills, a local landmark which was designed by schoolchildren.
The approach follows the Home Office’s ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ approach which sees organised criminals and associates cleared from an area, backed up by high visibility patrols and community support.
A similar project launched in Stockton’s Oxbridge and Parkfield wards in June 2023 has seen crime drop by more than a third.
The Project will help to rejuvenate the areas; with residents being supported by agencies including Cleveland Police, Middlesbrough Council, Thirteen Group, Cleveland Fire Brigade, educational establishments, Probation Service, Youth Justice, Public Health, North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) and the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit Network (NEROCU).
Police say serious and organised crime remains a focus not only for the force, but communities will also be encouraged to share information with authorities, so that criminals can be disrupted and offenders brought to justice.
Neighbourhood policing teams, supported by partner agencies, have already achieved results including a 28% reduction in crime reports in the TS3 area in January 2025 compared to January 2024.
District Commander for Middlesbrough, Superintendent Marc Anderson, said: “Working closely with our communities in these wards, and with our partner agencies, we hope to make a real difference in these areas and really clampdown on those who exploit others for criminal gain.
“Our communities are key in providing the information that we need to help us tackle serious and organised criminals and bring to justice those who cause misery for others in Middlesbrough.
“Neighbourhood and Proactive teams will be working alongside partners to bring a whole-system approach to tackling issues, and ensuring that we disrupt criminals, and wherever possible gain convictions against those causing harm in these areas.”
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said: “The vast majority of people living in East Middlesbrough are fed up with the minority of criminals responsible for spreading distress and anxiety, committing crime and tormenting their estates.
“This project will target the organised crime groups who are causing the issues, but it also focuses on supporting victims and those who become caught up in criminality, especially our vulnerable young people who can be easily tempted to fall into a life in the drug trade.
“We’re going to need the help of every one of our residents to gather the information needed for police, our officers and partners to act. This will be a long-term project and we’re committed to making it a success.”
A community consultation has been launched in the area, which asks residents to respond to a survey which is also available online on the Middlesbrough Council website.
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