Political opinion: Leigh Ingham MP backs summer crackdown on town centre crime
Stafford’s town centre will see more police on the streets this summer as part of a major crackdown on crime and antisocial behaviour – welcomed by local MP Leigh Ingham. The new national initiative, backed by £200 million from the Government, will increase police patrols in busy town centres, including Stafford, Eccleshall and the villages. It’s part of a drive to make local high streets safer, cleaner and more welcoming for everyone.
Leigh Ingham, MP for Stafford, Eccleshall and the villages, said: “People in Stafford deserve a high street that feels safe, vibrant, and full of opportunity. For too long, crime and antisocial behaviour have held our town centre back.
“This summer crackdown is a clear sign that things are changing. With more officers out in our communities and real action being delivered, we’re turning things around – creating a town centre where businesses can thrive and families can enjoy spending time.”
The initiative, led by the Home Secretary, will put officers on patrol during peak hours, backed by tougher enforcement and prevention measures. Local Police and Crime Commissioners are working with councils, retailers, and the police to deliver tailored action plans in each area.
In Staffordshire, shoplifting rose by 26% last year, which is higher than the national average of 20%. After 14 years of the previous government, neighbourhood policing had been cut to the bone: the number of PCSOs was halved, and Special Constables were slashed by two-thirds.
The Government is reversing that damage. Over the course of this Parliament, 13,000 new officers and PCSOs will be recruited across the UK. Staffordshire will gain 53 neighbourhood officers and 15 Special Constables by March 2026.
The summer crackdown also includes more activities for young people, helping to prevent crime before it starts. And a new Tackling Retail Crime Together Strategy will use shared data to disrupt shoplifting, from organised criminal gangs to repeat offenders.
Yvette Cooper, Home Secretary, said: “High streets and town centres are the very heart of our communities. Residents and businesses have the right to feel safe in their towns. But the last government left a surge in shop theft, street crime and anti-social behaviour which has left too many town centres feeling abandoned.
“It’s time to turn this round, that’s why I have called on police forces and councils to work together to deliver a summer blitz on town centre crime, to send a clear message to those people who bring misery to our towns that their crimes will no longer go unpunished.”
Leigh Ingham, MP for Stafford, Eccleshall, and the villages, added: “This is just the start. I’ll keep working with local police, the council, and residents to make sure Stafford’s town centre is somewhere we can all be proud of – fairer, safer, and full of life.”
