Town Guards to ‘clamp down hard’ on crime

A town is set to introduce new patrols in a move designed to curb crime and anti-social behaviour.

Middlesbrough will see the arrival of Town Guards, a scheme announced by Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen and backed by £1.3 million from the Tees Valley Combined Authority. 

Mayor Houchen says the initiative will fund eight officers dedicated to the town centre, each formally trained and accredited with police-approved powers to tackle issues directly, in a move to not only improve safety but also restore confidence, encouraging more people and businesses back into the town centre.

Mayor Houchen said: “For too long people in Middlesbrough have had to put up with anti-social behaviour, crime and intimidation when all they want to do is go shopping, enjoy the town centre or get to and from work. 

“People from across the region have stopped going to Middlesbrough Town Centre because of their concerns about safety. 

“Enough is enough.

“I want the Town Guards to take a zero-tolerance approach. 

“These won’t be council officers or security guards in high-viz – who criminals know have no authority – they will be officers with real police powers to clamp down hard on those who cause trouble.

“We must make our town centre safe again and give people the confidence to come back. 

“This is about backing law-abiding people, protecting businesses and sending a clear message: crime and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.”

The scheme responds to concerns from residents and businesses over retail crime, drug use and anti-social behaviour. 

Tony Parkinson, chair of Middlesbrough Development Corporation, added: “Making our town centre more attractive is the foundation of our regeneration plan.  

“We want more people to invest, live and spend time in the town and this will only happen if it feels safer, cleaner and easier to navigate than it does at present.

“I am delighted that very soon we will have highly visible security staff, with the power to intervene and resolve anti-social behaviour issues.”

Recruitment will begin in the coming months, with patrols expected later this year. 

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