Throughout December we are running a festive version of our anti-social behaviour (ASB) campaign aimed at reducing ASB over the Christmas period. Look out for the digi screen messages in The Belfry and the social media posts from Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, Reigate and Banstead Beat (Surrey Police), YMCA East Surrey and the Redhill Business Guild. As always, your help in sharing these posts and spreading the word will be greatly appreciated. The Chain will be running another targeted paid-for digital campaign on Facebook, Instagram and the Google Display network on our behalf using some of the content pictured here.

The campaign, which raises awareness of ASB and encourages people to report it, started in October. In its first month, which included social media advertising and Google Ads, gained over 1.6 million impressions (number of times the message was seen digitally) and led 1,187 people to click through to the website. During November, the Safer Redhill partners continued to strengthen the campaign with organic social media and the ongoing presence of banners and posters in the town centre.

Proactive police patrols in Redhill continue, with arrests of suspected drug dealers and a focus on anti-social behaviour. At the start of this month, routine foot patrols led to the arrest and charge of Dodo Igwe, 37, in relation to drug offences. He was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs, and charged and remanded in custody the very next day.

Officers in the town are also keeping an eye on anti-social behaviour, particularly when it comes to repeat offenders. In November, Mohi Uddin, 49, was issued with an interim Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) relating to anti-social behaviour. This prevented him from entering Redhill town centre without police permission. However, just days later, officers spotted Uddin in the town and he was subsequently arrested. Uddin pleaded guilty to breaching his CBO and awaits sentencing in the new year. Criminal Behaviour Orders are a valuable tool to tackle anti-social behaviour which can have a real impact on the local community.

Alongside proactively stopping people in the town centre, we’re conducting intelligence led operations to tackle county lines drug dealing. We know this is a concern for residents and we’ve been targeting those bringing drugs into Redhill from all over the county and London. Just a few weeks ago, we took part in County Lines Intensification Week which saw increased enforcement activity alongside engagement opportunities such as visits to schools, hotels and work with Crimestoppers, the anonymous charity where people can share information if they don’t feel comfortable speaking to police.

Across Surrey, the week saw our teams conduct 9 warrants, make 18 arrests and carry out 100 stop searches. We seized 152 wraps of cocaine, 16 phones and 55 bladed articles. We also visited 17 vulnerable people at risk of being exploited by drug dealers. Whilst this week of action saw co-ordination on a national level, our efforts are not restricted to one operation, and the crucial work we do to protect our communities continues all year round. If you have concerns about drug dealing in your area, please report to us so we can build our intelligence picture and take these criminals off our streets.

The Y Bus is continuing to make a positive impact for young people in the Redhill community. In the Cromwell estate, there has been consistent engagement with young people, with positive discussions and activities taking place on the bus. In Timperley Gardens, there's been a great response, with some young people starting to make arrangements to meet on the bus. Young people are enjoying having somewhere warm to meet (as well as a hot chocolate) and YMCA youth workers are now planning a Christmas movie night as requested by attendees.

School visits have also been successful, with a visit to Carrington School on 21 November where students enjoyed exploring the Y Bus and expressed interest in future visits. In January, the year 6 students of St. Matthew's will be able to experience the Y Bus, which helps young people to recognise and be familiar with the Y Bus and YMCA youth workers while out in Redhill.