Our officers from the East Marsh in Grimsby have been actively addressing concerns about anti-social behaviour in Grant Thorold Park, following reports of disruptive activities, including fires reportedly being set to public property like wheelie bins.

With the support of local partners, including Humberside Fire, North East Lincolnshire Council, EQUANS, and valuable feedback from the community, officers in the East Marsh have taken additional steps to further improve safety and tackle anti-social behaviour in Grimsby.

Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant David Bullock leading the initiative said: "We have listened to community concerns regarding reports of arson and bins being set alight, and we’ve implemented enhanced measures to tackle anti-social behaviour in the area of Grant Thorold Park to address this issue effectively. A dedicated operation has been launched, involving increased patrols, plain clothes surveillance, and a dedicated CCTV operator to monitor the area.

"Building on our ongoing work, during March and early April, the team has made further progress in tackling anti-social behaviour and identifying those responsible for incidents in the area. ‘’

Results since the launch of the initiative on Monday, 24 March:

Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant David Bullock continues: ''In addition to our proactive patrols we’ve distributed nearly 100 bin locks to secure bins in key locations while working closely with Humberside Fire, North East Lincolnshire Council, and EQUANS. These efforts focus on proactive prevention measures, aiming to reduce crimes such as arson and further improve community safety.

''Our partners have also been actively involved in outreach efforts across the East Marsh, working together to tackle issues head-on and build stronger connections within the community. We have hosted a drop-in session at Grant Thorold Park to engage with residents, listen to their concerns, and promote local safety.

''Since the implementation of this initiative, we’ve seen positive examples of community involvement, such as young people stepping in to prevent further damage. In one instance, it is reported a group of young people stopped their friends from setting fire to a bin. Further underlining the importance of proactive efforts and the collaborative work with partners to drive change.

''Members of the public should be able to enjoy their local parks without disruption or risk to safety. I want to remind everyone that any type of anti-social behaviour is completely unacceptable, and those responsible will be held accountable.

''As we continue to address anti-social behaviour our focus remains on reducing crime and emphasizing prevention efforts, particularly with young people. The collaboration with our partners has been invaluable, and I want to extend my thanks to everyone involved, both our partners and the community.

"We are committed to building on the progress we’ve made so far. Information provided by the community plays a vital role, and we strongly encourage you to report any offences or information to us. This helps us develop a clearer picture and take appropriate action.

Councillor Ron Shepherd, Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, added: “These are astounding results by Humberside Police and the partner agencies involved.

“The Council are delighted to have aided via the use of CCTV and will always support initiatives that are a priority to the residents of North East Lincolnshire.

“Those involved have shown how important working together can be and we are proud to have been a part of this push to make our green spaces safer and a place that can be enjoyed by anyone and everyone.”

You can report information on our non-emergency number 101, or always call 999 in an emergency.

Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.