Ongo’s commitment to cut crime across the region

Ongo is continuing to work alongside Humberside Police and their partners to tackle crime and illegal behaviour in our area.

In recent months they have helped to secure injunctions, tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) head on, and have supported their tenants to fight back against cuckooing and county lines.

Although Ongo has always carried out this work, over the last 12 months the team have had to adapt to new ways of working, whilst still supporting those tenants who are falling victim or carrying out such behaviour.

Paul Grimley, Tenancy Enforcement Team Leader at Ongo said: “Working with Humberside Police, tenants and other partner agencies has ensured we’re able to take action against the right people and keep our communities safe.

“This work is making a real difference and is sending out a clear message that we won’t tolerate anti-social behaviour and crime in our properties, and that we will go to all lengths to ensure our communities are safe for all residents.

“Of course Covid-19 has posed challenges for the team, but this has not stopped us providing much needed services. We are currently working on a number of Police operations and want to let our tenants know that we are here for them.”

Below are some area specific operations Ongo are involved in, along with projects aimed at tackling some of the big issues in our region:

Scunthorpe town centre – As part of a joint operation to tackle ASB, Ongo has acquired injunctions, meaning a number of tenants are now facing enforcement action. Since starting there has been a decrease in reported ASB within the town centre and high rise buildings, with work set to continue over the coming months.

Barton upon Humber – Ongo support with an operation focusing on criminality associated to drug supply in this area. A number of tenants have received ‘Notice’ from Ongo for their involvement in this and they continue to work with Humberside Police on a regular basis.

Westcliff, Scunthorpe – There is lots of ongoing work with Safer Neighbourhoods and Humberside Police in the area, helping tenants living in “cuckooed” properties or suffering from ASB, drug supply, distribution and associated criminality. In the last year Ongo has supported a number of tenants, helping them to have a better standard of life. This work continues.

Wider Crosby area, Scunthorpe – Ongo has been successful in their interventions with a number of young people in the area. However work is still ongoing to address those people still causing issues in this community. Five notices have been issued so far, with a number of acceptable behaviour contracts agreed, as well as holding additional interventions.

Child sexual exploitation – An operation has been set up to protect children who are at risk of child sexual exploitation, county lines and being coerced into committing crimes. Ongo officers regularly attend multi-agency meetings and share information to protect young people from harm and steer them away from illegal behaviours. They also have a duty to report safeguarding matters to the relevant agencies where we have concerns over young people.

Nuisance motorbikes – An operation, #OpYellowFin, was set up two years ago after a large number of motorcycle crime and nuisancewas reported in the region. A number of arrests and seizures have been made as part of this, along with enforcement action to tenants.

Ongo are involved in a number of other projects and operations led by Humberside Police, including Operation Galaxy, to tackle and disrupt main circuits of drug dealers, as well as other criminal behaviours, and prioritise this work in order to keep tenants and communities safe.

Chief Inspector Paul French said: “Multi agency working is a vital part of what do to help in tackle issues of anti-social behaviour and related criminality head on to ensure our communities remain a safe place.”

“The action has specifically looked to target organised crime groups and those at the centre of anti-social behaviour. Most importantly, we’ve been disrupting those causing the community the most harm.”

“The team have been regularly updating the public about this work on our local social media pages and My Community Alert. It’s been pleasing to see so much positive feedback come in on the back of this and it’s important to us that the community know what we’re up to.

We recognise there is still more we can do and are committed to listening to your feedback to take action in making our communities safer. To stay up to date with what our teams have been up to, sign up to my community alert in your area.”

To find out more about Ongo’s enforcement work, or if you are an Ongo tenant and you’d like advice or support, please go to: www.ongo.co.uk.