Crime down in Darlington town centre by 17%

Crime in Darlington town centre has fallen by 17%.

In the first six months of this year, 311 crimes were recorded in the town centre, compared with 373 this time last year.

Shoplifting is also down by 9%, with 94 incidents recorded this year, compared with 103 this time last year.

Sexual offences are down by 45%, violent offences are down 5%, and antisocial behaviour down by 16%.

You said you wanted to see more police on the streets, so that is exactly what we’re doing.

As part of Operation Pave, we’ve been deploying extra officers to hotspot areas to tackle serious violence, knife crime, and antisocial behaviour.

And these patrols are already yielding significant results and bringing offenders to justice – like Anthony Tough, who has been banned from the town centre for two years.

He persistently caused problems for businesses and shoppers, but was this week handed a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court.

The order prohibits the 34-year-old from:

• Entering any part of the town centre
• Entering any Asda store in Darlington
• Remaining in any retail store if asked to leave by a staff member, security guard, PCSO or police officer
• Entering any store in County Durham and Darlington where he has previously been served, in person, with a written banning letter signed by a police officer of the rank of inspector or above

Breaching any of these conditions could result in further court action.

We’ll use all powers at our disposal to prevent crime and antisocial behaviour and help make it safer where you live.

If you have witnessed antisocial behaviour, please help us by reporting it.

Your information helps us take action and keep our communities safe.

Call 101 or report antisocial behaviour online here: https://www.durham.police.uk/.../report-antisocial.../