North East Lincolnshire is seeing a shift in anti-social behaviour, thanks to a mix of street art, flowers, CCTV, and targeted police action. Recent council figures show Grimsby town centre crime fell by 5% over the past year, with general anti-social behaviour down 14% and alcohol-related incidents halved.
Key to this is Op Mastery, part of several operations tackling specific issues in different areas. Grimsby’s project focused on town centre safety, while Op Snap in Cleethorpes targeted nuisance driving, leading to vehicle seizures and driver warnings. Residents can now submit dashcam footage to assist police efforts.
Almost 140 static and 37 rapid-deployment CCTV cameras keep watch across the borough, linking council operators with officers on the ground. Between October and December last year alone, the cameras helped emergency services deal with 555 incidents, from missing persons to public disturbances.
But it’s not just enforcement. Greening Up Our Town Centre grants have funded flowerbeds, living walls, and street art, aiming to make the area more inviting while deterring bad behaviour. Public Space Protection Orders continue to restrict activities like cycling on certain streets to keep pedestrians safe.
Town Centre Marshals also patrol daily, issuing fines and ensuring rules are followed as part of a wider push to keep North East Lincolnshire welcoming for all.
Image credit: North East Lincolnshire Council
