On Friday I went for a walk around with our local Chief Inspector for Kidsgrove and Talke from
Staffordshire Police, Phil Duffy.
It was lovely to hear how we as a community have been good at social distancing and obeying the rules of lockdown that has meant no police fines for COVID-19 breaches have been issued since early May.
Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) also has reduced which is another positive, and something Phil is keen to work with the community on to ensure it lasts.
On a negative note I raised on your behalf how flyntipping and off road bikes are doing damage to Bathpool and Birchenwood which local people have raised with me.
Sadly we face the challenge of County Line gangs in our area from Merseyside, Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester. We need to all be vigilant and feed the police any intel we have to assist in breaking up and protecting the youth of Kidsgrove and Talke. Drugs and gangs have no place in our area and I want to work with local Councillors and community leaders to help eradicate this from our society.
Our police do a good job. They put themselves in harms way day in and day out.
I want to say a big thank you, on behalf of residents in Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke, to all officers.