Residents and businesses asked to support work in Oakengates
The Council and partners are asking residents and businesses in Oakengates to support its ongoing work to keep the town centre safe by being their “eyes and ears” and reporting concerns through direct channels.
After a recent isolated spike in anti-social behaviour in the town, Telford & Wrekin Council is working in partnership with Oakengates Town Council and West Mercia Police to resolve concerns.
To support their work as they gather evidence and take action, people in the community are urged to report any incidents they have witnessed.
For severe anti-social behaviour including criminal damage, begging and drug or substance misuse, people can report this directly to the Police online (in a non-emergency) or by calling 999 in an emergency.
To report a rough sleeper, people can call the Council’s Housing Solutions team on 01952 391925. The team will arrange for outreach worker visits to engage with those who are rough sleeping.
Councillor Richard Overton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Highways, Housing and Enforcement, said:
“We continue to work with our partners at the Police and Town Council to keep our town centre safe and alleviate the concerns of residents and businesses.
“In Oakengates, we’re asking local residents and businesses to support our ongoing work by being our eyes and ears and reporting anything they see through the direct and appropriate channels.
“This will be a huge help as we restore normality in the town and will also help the Police collate the evidence they need to take action.”
People can report lower levels of anti-social behaviour, such as graffiti, fly-tipping, abandoned vehicles and noise nuisance through the Council’s anti-social behaviour team on 01952 384384.
Supported by the Police Safer Neighbourhood Team, the Council has been carrying out anti-social behaviour patrols daily and taking action where required.
This is in conjunction with:
- Homelessness support service visits have been undertaken attempting to engage with those rough sleeping to offer support and access to accommodation.
- Other support services including STARS (substance use services) and MPFT (mental health) have been working to offer support
- Issuing of Community Protection Notices and Community Protection Warnings
- Three offenders have now been arrested
- CCTV across the town centre is being utilised and monitored
- Hoarding around the theatre and nursery has been deployed
- Deep cleansing has been undertaken, and the team will continue to monitor
This work will continue until the concerns raised have been addressed.
Useful contact numbers:
- Police (non-emergency): 101
- For cost-of-living crisis support: contact Telford Crisis Support via phone on 01952 586646, WhatsApp on 0759241666 or email admin@telfordcrisissupport.org.uk
- Support for people affected by drug and alcohol in Telford and Wrekin: Telford STARS – 0300 456 4291
The Building Safer & Stronger Communities project empowers people to tackle issues in their communities, for support from the team or to raise issues, email Saferstronger@Telford.gov.uk.
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