What needs are unmet?
Strategic Issue 1
Lack of a coordinated, multi-agency response to drug-related crime. While drug-related crime is widely acknowledged by residents, there is no evidence of a strategic, joined-up approach involving police, health, and community services. This leads to persistent offending patterns, including theft and violence, driven by substance use.
Strategic Issue 2
Insufficient visible policing and enforcement to address ASB and low-level crime. Residents report feeling unsafe and disillusioned, particularly in hotspot areas like Oxford Road and Burbank Street. There are calls for more police presence, better enforcement, and early intervention — none of which are described as current strategic actions.
Strategic Issue 3
There is no dedicated, coordinated strategy to address serious crime—including violent offences, organised crime, and weapon-related incidents—in Hartlepool. While national and regional plans exist, they are not sufficiently tailored to local patterns of serious offending. Victims of serious crime often lack access to trauma-informed support, and intelligence-sharing between agencies is limited. This leaves communities vulnerable to repeat victimisation, fear, and long-term harm.