Riverside

Drug dealing & Drug use:
You said: Issues relating to drug use and dealing has continued to cause a concern, especially in open spaces. You have seen the impact it’s been having in the community.

What we are going to do: We will continue to patrol the open spaces and build intelligence re. people dealing drugs and arrest offenders. We will also continue to liaise with partner agencies to target addresses of note and provide supportive measures to those who will accept it. Engagements in key areas will continue to be arranged.

April update:
The Riverside Beat Team has been actively developing intelligence reports related to drug dealing. This effort has enabled us to identify dealers and safeguard vulnerable users. Our officer at De Montfort University (DMU) has also collaborated with university security to utilize their tools for monitoring individuals of interest and addressing any harmful activities on campus.
We have disseminated information to halls of residence and student accommodations, encouraging vigilance and urging residents to share any information with the police that they feel comfortable providing.

May update: The beat team has been actively tackling drug-related activity in the area, securing multiple warrants based on intelligence linked to drug use and dealing. Officers have carried out numerous stop searches around Castle Gardens, resulting in the discovery of drugs on individuals. In partnership with the local council, the team has also taken preventative measures by fencing off known drug-use locations within Castle Gardens to deter further activity. Additionally, officers have worked diligently to dismantle an active county line operating in the area, helping to safeguard vulnerable individuals from exploitation. The team have also been prioritising patrolling the hotspot locations of drug dealing to build wider intelligence pictures.

Anti-social Behaviour:
You said: Anti-social behaviour has increased around the beat, specifically involving juveniles and open spaces.

What we are going to do: We will increase patrols in ASB hotspots as well as using data to pick out the appropriate times to be there. We will liaise with partner agencies and use an incremental approach to those causing the most harm. Police engagements will be arranged to increase awareness and be in a position to offer support to those being affected.

April update: Our beat team has been actively collaborating with the local council and housing associations to address reports of anti-social behaviour (ASB). This initiative includes site visits with housing managers at Pavilion Close to identify issues and explore preventive measures.

In response to recent incidents, several juveniles have received ASB warning letters for throwing stones at the windows of a primary school. To further prevent ASB and crime, regular patrols have been conducted at known hotspots, including Pavilion Close, Castle Gardens, De Montfort University (DMU), and Leicester Royal Infirmary (LRI).

May Update: The beat team has responded to several noise complaints in residential areas, working closely with the local council, which is the lead agency for these types of issues. This collaborative approach helps achieve more effective outcomes. We’ve also received reports of vehicles gathering, littering, playing loud music, and causing disturbances near homes on Pavilion Close. These behaviours have been raised by multiple residents due to the negative impact on their quality of life. In response, local housing providers have been proactive in supporting efforts to address the issue by sharing vehicle registration details and ownership information. This has enabled us to issue anti-social behaviour warning letters as part of our ongoing, incremental approach to tackling such problems.

Theft Offences:
You said: Theft as a whole causes concern to the public and businesses. This includes theft from motor vehicles and theft of push bikes.

What we are going to do: We will increase patrols around large public car parks and hold engagements with the public to raise awareness of issues in the area. We will also hold engagements to help register pushbikes and provide safety advice on how best to secure your bike.

April update:
Theft continues to be a significant concern in our area. Our team has proactively identified numerous thefts from motor vehicles during patrols, often before the victims were even aware. This proactive approach has led to efficient investigations, resulting in the identification, arrest, and charging of several offenders.
Additionally, the team has organised bike registration events to provide safety advice and facilitate sign-ups to the bike register. This initiative helps ensure that, in the unfortunate event of a theft, recovered bikes can be promptly returned to their rightful owners.

May update: The beat team has been responding to a significant rise in theft of and from motor vehicles across the area. This has prompted detailed investigations, including the review of CCTV footage from both the council and local organisations to help identify those responsible. To keep the community informed and supported, the team has been using Neighbourhood Link to share updates and offer crime prevention advice to residents and local businesses. Officers have also hosted beat events to engage with the public face to face, providing reassurance and practical tips to reduce the risk of further incidents. In addition, proactive patrols have been carried out in targeted areas, with officers stopping individuals acting suspiciously. Intelligence-led visits have also been made to known offenders in an effort to deter further criminal activity.