Crime JSNA

This section is used to summarise the views of the public, dedicated groups and service users. It can make use of formal assessment of views, such as obtained from surveys, feedback meetings and focus groups.

A detailed summary of Hartlepool’s Big Conversation consultation on the Theme of Crime and Anitsocial behaviour is available by clicking this link

Strategic Issue 1 

Feedback from Hartlepool Community Safety Partnership meetings and local probation services indicates a sharp rise in visible drug use, particularly in the town centre and Headland. Residents have reported increased fear of walking alone, especially in the evenings, and business owners have raised concerns about theft and intimidation linked to drug dependency. Service users accessing recovery support have highlighted long waiting times and a lack of joined-up care between mental health and substance misuse services.

Hartlepool’s Big Conversation consultation identified drugs were the root of many of the problems associated with Crime and ASB, including crimes committed to fund buying drugs, drug dealing and violence. ASB relating to drugs was also mentioned by respondents including begging, noise nuisance and disturbances caused by people taking drugs.

“We need to tackle the drug problem. It is the root of most, if not virtually all the problems in Hartlepool e.g. unemployment, violence, poverty. Drugs are destroying the town, although drugs are a problem everywhere these days. Moving people around is not the solution. They moved people out of other parts of town into the Oxford Road ladder streets and now it is a no-go area.” Face to face group response (what would make Hartlepool a better place to live)

Strategic Issue 2

Ward-level consultations and Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) surveys show that ASB—such as vandalism, public drinking, and verbal abuse—is consistently ranked as the top concern among residents. Specific streets like West View Road and King Oswy Drive were frequently mentioned in feedback as areas people avoid due to perceived disorder. Youth workers and local schools have reported a lack of diversionary activities, especially during evenings and school holidays, contributing to loitering and nuisance behaviour.

Hartlepool’s “Big Conversation” consultation identified Crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) were felt to be very bad across Hartlepool and not limited to any particular areas; though the Oxford Road ‘ladder streets’, Burbank Street area and the area of York Road around the shopping centre access ramp were all mentioned several times

“Dealing with anti-social behaviour within the town, from the youths that now seem to freely ride through the streets on motorbikes to people begging outside shops and in car parks around the town centre. Over the last 10 years the drop in policing / enforcement has been noticeable and will likely get worse with the reduced CCTV staffing proposed.” Survey respondent (how can we work together to make a difference)

Strategic Issue 3

The Big Conversation revealed widespread concern about serious crime across Hartlepool, with many respondents reporting that it is not confined to specific areas but affects the whole town. Key hotspots mentioned include the Oxford Road ‘ladder streets’, Burbank Street, and York Road near the shopping centre access ramp.

Respondents consistently identified drug-related crime as a root cause of wider offending, including violence, theft, and anti-social behaviour. There were frequent mentions of visible drug dealing, intimidation, and off-road motorbike gangs, contributing to a perception of lawlessness and lack of enforcement.

Quotes from residents highlighted:

• Fear of walking alone, especially at night.
• Encounters with masked youths and drug dealers.
• A lack of visible policing and enforcement.
• Feelings of being forgotten or unsafe in their own communities.

“Peace of mind that I could go outside without risk of being injured or killed by some masked young law breaker on an off-road motorbike.”
— Survey respondent

“Crime is on the rise so it would be nice to have a police force that was based in the town and wasn't run from Middlesbrough.”
— Survey respondent

“We need to tackle the drug problem. It is the root of most, if not virtually all the problems in Hartlepool.”
— Face-to-face group response

There was also a strong call for early intervention, community policing, and multi-agency collaboration to address serious crime and restore public confidence.