Barrowcliff Clear Hold Build Initiative Delivering Results

North Yorkshire Police say their "Clear Hold Build" project in Barrowcliff has produced significant results.

The ongoing initiative launched last year with an aim to drive out organised crime and anti-social behaviour that has blighted Barrowcliff over several years.

Chief Superintendent for Local Policing - Fiona Willey - says it's one of two Clear Hold Build projects in the county.

"We have two areas, one's in the coast, one's in the city, so Barrowcliff and Clifton. These are not quick wins. If that's fair to say. These are a long.

Terms sort of problem solving approach that's done with many stakeholders. And of course the communities that are actually living there as well. Some real headline figures, certainly from coast, 50 arrests since Clear Hold build started in Barrowcliff 920 pieces of particular intelligence that's come through, which has then helped us be able to act on that leading to a number of warrants.

We've had two properties that have been closed. Because of the impact that it's had on the community and obviously the partnership work there has helped us actually removed that, that problem from that. Estate. We've had 2,800 dedicated patrol hours. Bespoke to that clear hold build project"

The force has implemented the Home Office’s Clear, Hold, Build strategy in the area to reclaim and rebuild the neighbourhood and improve the quality of life for residents.

The strategy is part of a national project which every police force in the country is adopting. 

As well as North Yorkshire Police, key partners in the project include North Yorkshire Council and the Community Safety Partnership, the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, and North Yorkshire Horizons Adult Alcohol and Drug Recovery Service.

Also involved is the award-winning Gallows Close Centre in Barrowcliff. Led by a team of local volunteers, they take pride in offering a variety of low-cost activities for all ages and abilities.

The Scarborough Neighbourhood Policing Team, along with colleagues in CID and the Operational Support Unit, are carrying out targeted patrols in the area to tackle concerns from low-level anti-social behaviour to serious crimes such as County Lines drug dealing and robbery.

The initial stage is designed to CLEAR out the people who are responsible for crime and misery through relentless pursuit activity.

The second stage is HOLD. This involves interventions, counter-measures and contingency plans to consolidate and stabilise the initial ‘clear phase.

This stops the remaining or other organised crime group members from capitalising on the vacuum created by the arrests and outcomes at court.

It further improves community confidence by ensuring spaces remain safe. Visible neighbourhood policing in hotspot areas will provide reassurance to residents that police are still present.  

The final stage is BUILD. This forms a single, whole-system approach to delivering community-empowered interventions that tackle the drivers of crime, exploitation of vulnerabilities, and the places where crime occurs.

The aim is to improve living, working and recreational environment in the community for residents. It empowers them to work with stakeholders to generate resilience and build a safer community.  

This includes promoting education and training opportunities aimed at diverting young people away from a life of crime.

It also means supporting people with drug and alcohol issues to reduce the risk of harm and improve their life prospects.