'Zero tolerance for grooming gangs' - Staffordshire County Council agrees its first Community Safety Strategy

The document sets out how Staffordshire County Council aims to work with other organisations to protect residents and cut crime over the next three years.

The priorities include protecting vulnerable people, with “zero tolerance for grooming gangs, county lines and child exploitation”, a report to Wednesday’s council cabinet said.

Other priorities are “making Staffordshire’s neighbourhoods safe, strong and proud”, “preventing harm before it occurs by addressing the root causes of crime and vulnerability” and “driving community safety through partnership, challenge and accountability”.

In the cabinet report, Councillor Anthony Screen, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience, said: “Safety is not a privilege but a guarantee. Our commitment is to create a Staffordshire where every individual feels secure, supported, and free from fear.

“This strategy sets out a clear vision: to prevent harm before it happens, to work in partnership across communities, and to take decisive action when needed. Together, we will tackle the root causes of crime and anti-social behaviour, protect the most vulnerable, and build stronger, more resilient neighbourhoods.

“By investing in prevention and fostering collaboration, we aim to make Staffordshire a place where safety is woven into the fabric of everyday life.”

Councillor Hayley Coles, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture, presented the strategy at Wednesday’s meeting in the absence of Councillor Screen. 

She said: “It marks a significant moment for Staffordshire. For the first time the county council has its own Community Safety Strategy, supported by the introduction last year of a dedicated portfolio holder for community safety and resilience. 

"Together, these changes reflect a much stronger, clearer and more determined focus on community safety across the council – something that has not been done before and something residents asked us look at was more safety in the area.

“It’s not simply a new document, it’s a step change in ambition. Community safety is now firmly in position as a core priority for our council – it is essential to be able to build stronger, healthier and more confident communities.

“It will include leadership lobbying roles, whether it’s lobbying for better funding, stronger legislation or improved data sharing between agencies. It’s not just local delivery, it’s influencing the wider system to get better outcomes for Staffordshire.”

Cabinet members agreed to grant delegated decision-making authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience to approve the final strategy on behalf of the county council once the consultation with stakeholders has been completed and any feedback has been considered.

Acting council leader Martin Murray said: “This is the start of what’s to come for our county. Safety and community is key to everything we will be delivering in the future.

“Our community safety strategy underlines our commitment to safer, stronger communities, built through partnership, prevention and targeted intervention. 

"This is the start of setting out a full community safety strategy which is not just future-proofed but ready to be implemented under any new authority the government bestows on us.”