AN initiative led by Leicestershire Police to improve community safety on Leicester’s Saffron Lane estate has reduced overall crime by 14.2% and shut down all five county lines there (drug supply lines) since it was launched in 2024.
The Clear, Hold, Build initiative was developed by the Home Office, and works by bringing together partners to work on a three step programme. Step one saw organised criminals and their associates cleared from the area through relentless pursuit activity. The focus of step two was tackling drug supply and county lines, violent crime and weapon possession.
Key partners including the city council are now working on step three, where residents are equipped to build a strong and resilient community, free from crime and exploitation.
Known locally as ‘Safer Saffron,’ the work began in July 2024 with an intense week of police activity. Since then, the enforcement activity, patrols, education and support have continued with great results.
As well as the reduction in crime and closure of five country lines, 23 people have been arrested for a range of offences; weapons including one pistol and 15 bladed articles have been recovered; 193 grams of Class A cocaine have been recovered as well as £33,000 in cash; and search warrants have been carried out at 16 properties.
Inspector Paul Crewe, the commander of the South Leicester Neighbourhood Policing Area, said: “I am really proud of what the team has achieved on the Saffron Lane Estate. We had five county lines running on the estate when Clear, Hold, Build started and now there are none and word on the street is that it is now difficult to buy drugs on the estate. This is a direct result of all the regular enforcement, police activity and partnership working that have made ‘The Saff’ a better place to live for everyone.
“As we move into the build phase be reassured that our activity and enforcement won’t stop and we’d urge local residents to continue to report crime, issues and concerns to us. If we don’t know about them, we can’t tackle them.”
Cllr Elly Cutkelvin, Deputy City Mayor and Saffron ward councillor said: “The local community has felt much, much safer since this intervention work began, and relations with the local police have never been better.
“The city council’s community safety team will continue to work in partnership with the local policing team to ensure this work has a lasting impact.”
Photo: Police officers from the South Leicester Neighbourhood Policing Area are pictured with Saffron ward councillor Ted Cassidy and fellow councillor and deputy city mayor Elly Cutkelvin.