13/10/25

Focus on Safety is Being Backed By Investment

Before I was elected to Parliament, I served as Cabinet Member for Community Safety on the City Council. One of the issues I heard about time and again was policing. People wanted to see neighbourhood officers back on the beat, more visibility in our communities, and regular patrols in our town centres. I knew how much that mattered to residents’ confidence and peace of mind. 

That’s why, during my time on the Council, I worked hard to get planes and drones in the sky over North Staffordshire to help crack down on off-road bikers. Those riders have caused real misery for families and communities, and I wanted Staffordshire Police to have every tool they needed to tackle it. 

Since becoming your MP, I’ve continued that work, meeting regularly with senior police officers to relay your concerns and push for visible results. Staffordshire Police have been taking serious steps to target antisocial behaviour and restore confidence in local policing. I’ve joined patrols myself, both on foot and by car, to see first-hand how officers are responding to community priorities. 

But policing isn’t just about numbers; it’s about how safe people feel. More officers are no good if people still feel unsafe. That’s why Labour has made safer streets a national mission – with neighbourhood police back on the beat, dangerous weapons being taken off our streets, and antisocial behaviour being tackled head-on. These practical changes strengthen communities and restore trust in public life. 

Here in Stoke-on-Trent North and Kidsgrove, we’re already seeing progress. In Tunstall, new CCTV cameras and upgraded lighting are making the town centre safer and more welcoming as the evenings draw in. In Goldenhill, I’ve been linking up community groups and local officers to strengthen those partnerships that make the biggest difference day to day. 

There’s also renewed focus on road policing, with teams reorganised to give Staffordshire more dedicated attention and resources. I’ve also raised the issue of off-road bikes in Parliament, ensuring that local frustrations are heard at the national level and that future legislation reflects the reality on our streets. 

Meanwhile, policing reform is happening where it matters most. Domestic abuse specialists are now based in 999 control rooms, meaning victims receive expert support from the very first call. Stalking and spiking are being treated with the seriousness they deserve, and every police force will have a dedicated rape unit. It’s about dignity, compassion, and justice: real protection for women and girls. 

This focus on safety is backed by investment too. The £1.5 million Pride in Place funding for Stoke-on-Trent, announced by this Government, will help revitalise our high streets and public spaces, bringing new pride to areas that have been left behind for too long. It’s recognition that the pride people feel in their city should be matched by visible action and improvement. 

But pride in community isn’t just about funding or slogans. It’s about people. Keeping your street tidy, helping a neighbour, volunteering at a youth club, or supporting a local business. Real pride is quiet, steady, and genuine. It’s the kind that brings people together instead of driving them apart. 

That’s what I see every day across Stoke-on-Trent North and Kidsgrove: care, fairness, and a deep sense of community. And it’s that spirit that will help us build safer, stronger, prouder places to live. 

As the nights draw in, I’ll keep working with you to make sure every person feels safe and secure in the place they call home. 

If there’s an issue you’d like to raise or an idea to share, please get in touch at david.williams.mp@parliament.uk or 01782 950484