Burn Valley — Neighbourhood Policing Team

Drug dealing and substance misuse

Drug dealing and drug or substance misuse continue to be concerns raised by residents across the ward, and we remain firmly committed to tackling both the use and supply of controlled drugs within our communities. This issue remains a central focus of our daily work, as we recognise the significant harm that drug activity causes not only to individuals directly involved, but also to families, neighbourhoods, and the younger generation who may be vulnerable to exploitation. Our overarching aim is to make the town as safe as possible by targeting those who profit from criminality and cause the greatest harm. Much of our recent progress has been driven by proactive policing. A notable proportion of recent drug‑related arrests have come from officers stopping individuals for unrelated offences, only to find controlled substances during subsequent searches. This approach is highly effective: it disrupts drug supply, removes harmful substances from circulation, and helps us identify wider criminal networks operating behind the scenes. We will continue to pursue those who exploit vulnerable people, ensuring they are brought to justice. At the same time, we remain committed to providing wrap‑around support to anyone who has been drawn into exploitation or coerced into criminal behaviour. Working alongside specialist services, we aim to safeguard individuals, reduce harm, and prevent further victimisation. Our work also extends to tackling counterfeit goods, including illegal cigarettes and vapes. These items pose significant risks to health and wellbeing, particularly for young people, and often form part of wider criminal enterprises linked to drug supply. By targeting these products through enforcement and partnership activity, we are disrupting the financial incentives that fuel organised crime. Education remains a vital part of our strategy. We continue to work with young people through schools, youth groups, and community organisations to raise awareness about the dangers of substance misuse. By helping young people understand the long‑term consequences health risks, criminal implications, and vulnerability to exploitation we aim to prevent harmful behaviours before they begin. Early intervention is essential in reducing future demand for drugs and supporting young people to make informed, positive choices. Partnership working underpins all of our efforts. We work closely with local authority teams, health services, housing providers, and community organisations to ensure a coordinated response that combines enforcement with prevention and support. This joined‑up approach allows us to address the root causes of drug‑related harm while also taking decisive action against those responsible for supplying controlled substances. Through enforcement, prevention, education, and strong partnership working, we will continue to drive this work forward and protect our communities from the harm caused by drug dealing and substance misuse.

Set: 2026-05-26

Violence

Violence related offences have been raised as a concern within the ward, and residents have rightly raised worries about the impact these incidents have on feelings of safety and overall community confidence. While the number of incidents is not high compared to other crime types, the harm they cause is significant, and we remain fully committed to addressing them. Many of the violence related offences we respond to are closely linked to drug‑related activity or are an escalation of earlier anti‑social behaviour. This pattern highlights the importance of early intervention, problem‑solving, and strong partnership working to prevent situations from developing into more serious harm. We continue to work closely with partner agencies, including local authority teams, youth services, housing providers, and community organisations, to identify individuals and locations where tensions may be rising. By sharing information and coordinating our approach, we can intervene earlier, support vulnerable individuals, and reduce the likelihood of incidents escalating into violence. This joined‑up approach ensures that enforcement, safeguarding, and prevention all work hand‑in‑hand. Having nominated ward officers plays a crucial role in this work. Their high‑visibility and regular presence across the ward provides reassurance to residents and acts as a strong deterrent to those who may be involved in violence or drug‑related offending. These officers build relationships with local people, gather valuable intelligence, and respond quickly to emerging issues. Their visibility helps reduce fear of crime and strengthens trust between the community and policing teams. We will continue to target those responsible for violence, particularly where it is linked to drug supply or persistent anti‑social behaviour. Through proactive patrols, intelligence‑led activity, and partnership‑driven problem‑solving, we aim to prevent further harm and ensure that offenders are held accountable. At the same time, we remain committed to supporting individuals at risk of being drawn into violence, helping them access the services and interventions needed to change direction. Our priority is to keep the ward safe, reduce harm, and maintain a strong, visible presence that reassures residents and deters those who may cause violence within our community.

Set: 2026-05-26

Anti Social behaviour

Anti‑social behaviour (ASB) remains a key priority across the ward, with residents, businesses, and partner agencies continuing to raise concerns about the impact it has on daily life. We recognise the harm that persistent ASB can cause ranging from intimidation and nuisance behaviour to criminality and we remain committed to reducing these issues through a balanced, proactive, and partnership‑led approach. We continue to work closely with partner agencies and local education providers to reduce the harm caused by ASB across our communities. This collaborative work is essential in ensuring that young people and vulnerable individuals are offered meaningful education, guidance, and diversionary opportunities that help prevent issues from escalating. By addressing the root causes of behaviour early, we aim to reduce the likelihood of repeat incidents and support individuals in making positive choices. Our teams will proactively target key locations and individuals involved in persistent ASB to protect residents from becoming victims of crime. This includes regular high‑visibility patrols, targeted problem‑solving activity, and intelligence‑led deployments to areas where concerns have been raised. We will continue to listen to the community and adapt our approach as new issues emerge. Alongside prevention and early intervention, we will make full use of the civil and criminal legislation available to us. This includes Community Protection Notices, Criminal Behaviour Orders, and tenancy enforcement measures where appropriate. These tools allow us to intervene effectively, place restrictions on those causing harm, and support housing providers in maintaining safe and secure living environments. Enforcement is an important part of our strategy, but it is always used alongside efforts to encourage long‑term behavioural change. By blending robust enforcement with early intervention, education, and support, we aim to create safer neighbourhoods and reduce the impact of ASB on those who live and work within our communities. Our focus remains on preventing harm, protecting victims, and ensuring that everyone feels safe and confident in their local area. We will continue to work closely with residents, partners, and community groups to ensure concerns are heard and addressed. Your information and feedback play a vital role in shaping our priorities and helping us target our resources where they are needed most. Together, we will continue to build a safer, stronger community.

Set: 2026-05-26