Communities across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are seeing an increased Police presence as part of £1 million allocated to the Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime to tackle knife crime, serious violence and anti-social behaviour.
The national Action Fund pot is linked to the government’s Safer Streets Mission to halve knife crime in 10 years and crack down on ASB.
‘Hotspot’ areas have been identified in the region’s towns and cities to benefit from the funding, which will provide an increased Police presence with targeted high-visibility patrols and problem-solving interventions.
Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Ben Adams said: “This initiative builds on work done under the previous government’s Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan to bring additional uniformed patrols to hotspot ASB areas, which was successful and popular across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
“Closely linked to Staffordshire Police’s commitment to local policing and the government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, the Action Fund is an opportunity to further reduce the impact of knife crime, serious violence and ASB on our towns and cities.
“This is not just about enforcement. As well as an increased Police presence, community feedback and participation are essential in helping to prevent crime and ASB. A key part of this activity will be working in partnership with local people and businesses to identify the issues that matter to them and develop solutions that ensure our communities are safer for everyone.”
Local Policing Superintendent, John Owen, said: “By using hotspot policing, we’re focusing our resources where they are needed most – targeting areas with higher levels of knife crime, violence, and anti-social behaviour. This approach not only deters offenders but also reassures our communities that we’re taking decisive, intelligence- led action to keep them safe.
“We’ll be working closely with local communities. Officers will be visible in the hotspot areas, they will also listen to residents to better understand their concerns which we hope will also help build relationships and increase trust and confidence within those communities.”
The Action Fund hotspot patrols went live on 6 May. The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee will see an additional 53 Police officers in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent allocated to neighbourhood policing by the end of March 2026.
