Riverside

Theft of Motor Vehicles:
You said: Theft of motor vehicles primarily motorised pedal cycles, mopeds and motorbikes is an issue across the beat. This has also been highlighted as a priority across the whole policing area and force wide.

What we are going to do: We will complete patrols in public car parks and key locations where mopeds/motorbikes are regularly parked. We will liaise with business owners, community groups and social media to raise awareness and knowledge around security. We will hold beat events to be more accessible to your concerns or issues. The team will assist with ongoing investigations from all teams to help identify offenders and bring them to justice.

Updates from previous priorities relating to drug offences:

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.

June Update: County Lines Disruption and Key Arrests

This month, the team participated in Operation Gizmo Intensify, a force-wide initiative targeting county lines activity. As part of the operation, several court-issued warrants were executed, resulting in multiple arrests and positive outcomes. Much of the intelligence gathered in previous months has now been actioned, leading to further arrests for drug-related offences.

A significant success for the team was the arrest of a suspected drug runner linked to a county line. He was found in possession of numerous wraps of Class A drugs, a substantial amount of cash, and a weapon. He has since been charged and will appear in court.

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.

We are continuing this priority into the next quarter and the summer months due to continuing reports and the warmer weather coming in.

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.

June update: Our team has been actively engaging with local religious establishments following several reports of anti-social behaviour (ASB). We’re committed to building strong community ties and addressing concerns collaboratively.

Regular patrols have continued in the Mill Lane area and across the DMU campus. Thanks to the efforts of our dedicated university officer, we’ve been able to effectively deter and disrupt street lifestyle-related issues.

In the Hazel Street and Pelham Way areas, our PCSOs have been applying an incremental approach to address youth-related concerns, working closely with partners to find long-term solutions.

Earlier this month, we were pleased to support the Riverside Festival, which took place without any reported incidents or ASB – a great outcome for the community.

Safer Streets Summer:
You said: Retail and street crime is an ongoing issue in your area as well as the surrounding areas.

What we are going to do: We will take part in the national campaign of Safer Streets Summer. This will increase visibility of officers, increase engagements with local businesses and community groups and help tackle issues relating to retail and street crime by having a team dedicated to it. This will also include student safety when the university students start their academic year and take part in freshers weeks.

Update from previous priorities relating to theft:

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.

June Update: Tackling Theft and Vehicle Crime

Throughout June, the team has continued regular visits to local stores, particularly around Grasmere Street and Raw Dykes Road, in response to ongoing reports of shop theft. These visits aim to support businesses and deter offending.

A notable development this month was the imprisonment of a prolific offender, which has contributed to a noticeable reduction in thefts from motor vehicles in the area. In addition, the team carried out intelligence-led visits to known individuals involved in such offences, helping to disrupt further criminal activity.

Theft of motor vehicles, especially mopeds and motorbikes, has become a force-wide priority due to a rise in incidents occurring at all times of day. Our officers have been actively supporting investigations, working alongside response colleagues to help identify and apprehend those responsible.