Project Salus launched to tackle serious violence and ASB in Cleveland hotspots

Project Salus will bring together two patrol schemes – ASB patrols conducted by local council Enforcement Officers and serious violence patrols conducted by Cleveland Police officers.

Cleveland’s Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has secured more than £1.4 million for the patrols, which will focus on small, targeted areas – or micro-sites – in designated wards in Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland.

Hotspots were identified through data-led analysis from Cleveland Police, all four councils and Cleveland Fire Brigade over a two-year period, which revealed areas with the highest levels of violent crime and ASB.

A total of 36 hotspots will receive additional patrols targeting serious violence and ASB until March next year.

Data also revealed ‘peak times’ for violent crime and ASB, resulting in a patrol schedule being established. This is to ensure increased patrols are carried out when and where they are needed most.

The patrols will engage with people and businesses, help grow community confidence and create opportunities for local people to report issues around ASB, crime and serious violence.

Cleveland’s police and crime commissioner Matt Storey said residents can expect to see a broad range of activity, such as stop and search operations and targeted enforcement, including fines. Information received by patrol officers will also be used to support criminal investigations.

Between April 2024 and March 2025, an additional 12,402 ASB and serious violence patrols have already taken place across Cleveland.

During September 2023 and August 2024, there was a 21 per cent reduction in ASB incidents recorded by police compared with the previous year.

There were also 151 fewer offences committed in serious violence hotspot areas during the same period and measures of harm which calculate the seriousness of an offence almost halved.

Cleveland was originally identified as one of ten pilot areas for additional ASB patrols, the success of which directly led to them being rolled out across the country.

Mr Storey said: “This innovative approach harnesses the distinct yet complementary strengths of local wardens and police officers, enhancing the effectiveness of both roles in our communities and partnership working.

“It is when we have a joined-up approach with effective information-sharing that we truly get to grips with community issues and challenges.

“Nothing quite matches the trust officers and wardens can build up with residents, businesses and visitors, when they are out on the streets in the areas where we know ASB and serious violence is a real problem in our communities.

“As well as more patrols, people want fewer people to turn to crime in the first place, and that’s where our Cleveland Unit for the Reduction of Violence comes in – identifying issues early and responding with targeted prevention work.

“ASB and serious violence continues to affect too many lives, and we won’t stop until every community feels the benefit of lasting change.”

Prevention Inspector Phil Morris, from Cleveland Police, said: “Taking a partnership approach to tackling crime, ASB and serious violence is an effective way of tackling the issues which could cause the most harm to our communities.

“Bringing together agencies and working closely like this also assists with information sharing and helping us all to prioritise and focus on key issues, as we look to safeguard our communities in these hotspot areas.

“ASB is a priority for many of our communities, and in line with our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee commitments, we will work closely with partners, residents and businesses to deal positively with those affecting the quality of life of local people.”

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Access, Communities and Community Safety, Councillor Norma Stephenson, added: “The safety of our residents, businesses and visitors is of paramount importance and our priority is to ensure our communities are free from crime.

“As part of our continued work to tackle criminal behaviour, Project Salus supports our joint efforts to reduce ASB, with visible patrols being conducted in eight ward areas around the borough.

“We know that crime and antisocial behaviour are still major concerns for our residents and hope these additional patrols reassure people that we are listening to their concerns around safety. Ultimately we want all of our communities to be safe and welcoming places, where residents and visitors can enjoy spending time and businesses can flourish.”