The Council of Middlesbrough met on Wednesday 7 October 2026 to discuss the town's rising crime statistics and the response to crime trends. The meeting, called at the request of the Middlesbrough Independent Councillors Association (MICA) Group, focused on the urgent need for increased funding for the Cleveland Police Force and the implementation of new measures to improve community safety.

Community Safety: Consideration of Recent Crime Statistics and Response to Crime Trends in Middlesbrough

The most significant discussion of the meeting concerned the recent crime statistics for Middlesbrough, which indicate the town has the highest crime rate in the UK outside of London. Councillor Michael Saunders, proposer of the Extraordinary Council Meeting on behalf of the Middlesbrough Independent Councillors Association (MICA) Group, highlighted that Middlesbrough now has 178.6 recorded offences per 1,000 residents, surpassing Blackpool. He stated that these figures completely undermine Labour's attempts to present a positive picture of community safety and that residents witness violence, anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and drug-related crime daily.

Councillor Saunders called for the Mayor and his administration to pressure the Labour Government to provide immediate and appropriate funding to strengthen the Cleveland Police Force. He also noted that the MICA Group fully supports the Police and Crime Commissioner and their criticism of the Government's lack of funding for the force, which requires an additional £26 million year-on-year. The recent tragic incident on the A66 on 22 August 2026 was cited as an example of how under-resourced the Cleveland Police Force is, requiring support from other police forces.

Councillor Graham Wilson urged all councillors to work together, regardless of political affiliation, to support the Police and Crime Commissioner. Councillor David Coupe, Chair of the Cleveland Fire Authority, echoed the sentiment, stating his full backing for the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable, and confirmed he was a signatory to a recent letter to the Government. He also highlighted that the Cleveland Fire Brigade had experienced a £1.2 million cut in funding and asked for support for increased funding for both the police and fire services.

Councillor Dennis McCabe described the situation as sad and stated that society was crumbling due to crime. He shared that the number of opioid users in Middlesbrough is three times higher than the national average, with opioid use being funded by crime, and that the police are unable to apprehend offenders due to under-resourcing. He fully supported the Police and Crime Commissioner's appeals for more funding, calling for immediate action to ensure a properly resourced local police force.

Councillor Joanne Rush supported writing to the Government for increased funding and highlighted the growing problem of off-road bikers in her ward, encouraging residents to report such incidents. Councillor Brian Hubbard acknowledged the commendable work of the Cleveland Police when appropriate funding is available and supported the Police and Crime Commissioner's fight for more funding. Councillor Tony Alan Grainge agreed that the police do a good job but are sometimes let down by the courts, and reminded residents of the support the Council can offer.

Councillor Ian Blades, a member of the Cleveland Police Crime Panel, fully supported the Police and Crime Commissioner's demand for a proper funding formula, noting that Cleveland Police had lost 500 officers. He stated that while there had been a funding increase, it was not enough.

The Mayor welcomed the constructive approach to the funding issue and pledged his absolute support to the Police and Crime Commissioner, confirming he was a signatory to the letter to the Government. He presented a copy of the letter to the Home Secretary for all councillors to sign as a show of solidarity. The Mayor outlined several initiatives to improve community safety, including the use of CCTV to identify perpetrators, tenancy action with landlords, and the implementation of a professional witness service. He announced his intention to introduce eight Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) before Christmas, covering areas such as TS3 and Hemlington, and to reintroduce Gating Orders in areas like Newport and Easterside. He also indicated a meeting with the Chief Constable to discuss balaclavas and off-road bikes, with a PSPO planned for off-road bikes across the entire town. The Mayor stressed the importance of hope and opportunity for young people, committing to a ten-year programme of investment.

Councillor Saunders thanked the Mayor for his comments and agreed that the Council should do everything possible to support the police, highlighting past funding cuts to Cleveland Police under the previous government, including the removal of the Police Helicopter, Mounted Police Section, and off-road police bikes. He urged all councillors to continue working cross-party to secure more funding for Cleveland Police.