Wheatley Hill and Thornley

Off Road motor bikes in and around Wheatley Hill and Thornley remain a priority as does antisocial behaviour (ASB). Off-road bikes used illegally often cause noise nuisance, danger to pedestrians and damage to local green spaces. Taking these vehicles off the road helps prevent accidents and restores peace in our neighbourhoods.

Action taken by police to address ongoing bike issues includes:

-High-visibility and unmarked patrols in affected areas
-Intelligence gathering in partnership with other agencies
-Use of section 59 powers to seized vehicles involved in anti-social or illegal use.

Shoplifting:

Shoplifting isn’t a victimless crime – it impacts local businesses, raises prices for honest customers and can contribute to wider issues of antisocial behaviour. Being visible helps us deter crime and support shop owners directly.

The team take positive actions with all suspects identified and look to identify suspects at an early stage in order to prevent them reoffending. We also seek charges on the suspects in order for them to be charged with the offence and hopefully face prison terms. Furthermore we look to gain this evidence to apply for orders such as criminal behavior orders which prevents them from entering certain premises and also areas amongst other conditions.

The team also have an active shop watch scheme where information and advice is shared between all attendees.

Youth nuisance & Anti Social Behaviour

To tackle this we have been:

- Carrying out high visibility patrols along with colleagues from Durham County Council Neighbourhood Wardens Team and ASB Team
- We have ASB meetings to discuss ASB suspects with our Durham County Council colleagues and housing provider teams.
- Use of Anti-Social Behaviour Contracts (ABCs), Community Protection Warnings (CPWs) and Community Protection Notices on offenders of ASB
- Intelligence gathering