Making a difference in the long-term across North Lincolnshire

NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE

In towns and villages across North Lincolnshire, from the streets of Scunthorpe Town Centre to the rural Isle of Axholme, neighbourhood policing teams are working hard to tackle crime, build trust, and keep communities safe through long-term problem solving.

Whether they’re carrying out high-visibility patrols, supporting vulnerable residents, or working alongside partner agencies to tackle local issues, these officers are rooted in the places they serve.

In Scunthorpe, neighbourhood policing teams are working hand-in-hand with local businesses to tackle persistent issues like shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. One key initiative is the introduction of shop radios, a collaboration with a local organisation that equips shops in high-risk areas with direct radio links to each other and to police officers on patrol.

Scunthorpe Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Tom Stevens said: “The shop radios allow for an immediate response, whether it’s a suspected shoplifter or someone acting aggressively. They enable security staff, shop workers, and our teams to be connected in real time. It stops problems before they escalate and sends a clear message that businesses are supported and offenders will be challenged.”

“Another visible success has been Operation Forager, a town centre initiative which includes both proactive patrols and specialist support from passive drugs dogs. These deployments are information led, community-supported, and designed to address the root causes of crime.

“The presence of a passive drugs dog in the town centre, has led not only to arrests and seizures but also to crucial early interventions with vulnerable individuals. For many, that first contact opens the door to support services and a way out of harmful lifestyles.”

In Epworth, local neighbourhood teams are working closely with colleagues from South Yorkshire Police and regional units to disrupt county lines activity. Officers use local information, often from members of the public, to build up a clearer picture of emerging criminality and act swiftly.

Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Will Harrison said: “People speak to us because they know we’re local, we’re listening, and we care.”

“That might be something small at first, a suspicious vehicle or a person at risk, but this can be the missing piece that leads to a resolving a wider issue.”

PCSOs are often the first point of contact, especially in smaller communities. Their deep knowledge of local people and places makes them invaluable in identifying risks early and working with others to put the right support in place.

Across North Lincolnshire, local teams also work closely with schools to educate, support, and empower young people. From engagement visits about knife crime and online safety to open discussions and referrals into youth services, officers are actively building relationships that help steer young people away from harm.

These visits are part of a sustained effort to make schools a safer space and ensure young people know where to turn if they need help.

In rural areas like Brigg, neighbourhood policing is about understanding what matters locally and responding proportionately. Speeding has long been raised as a concern in some communities, and teams have responded with targeted speed checks in known hotspot areas for the safety of road users and the wider public.

Inspector Tom Stevens sums up the importance of neighbourhood policing: “Neighbourhood policing isn’t just about being seen and reacting to problems - it’s about preventing them, listening to local people, and working side by side with communities to create lasting change and build trust.

“We listen, we learn, and we act on what matters most to the communities we serve.

“That might mean checking on a repeat victim of anti-social behaviour, helping design out crime in a vulnerable area, or working behind the scenes to safeguard someone at risk.

“Because we’re based in the areas we serve, people come to us, often when they’ve spoken to no one else, and that trust is the foundation of everything we do.”

To learn more about your local policing team, find your area via the Humberside Police website or receive updates by signing up to My Community Alert, this can be done online, by visiting your local police station or simply speaking to a local officer.