It was great to join one of the local Sergeants from the Stoke-on-Trent North Neighbourhood Policing Team this evening.

We toured the constituency, talking about the issues we face from county lines, ASB, illegal off-road bike use, drugs and knives.

I am proud that Stoke North has the highest stop and search figures in Staffordshire. It is an important tool for our brave Police Officers to have at their disposal, helping to pull drugs and weapons off our streets.

Nobody involved in such crimes should be able to walk out streets without being stopped and searched.

We need to back our police, giving them intelligence to assist with locking up those who wish to drag our community down.

The people of Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke want tough law and order. I am delighted we have recruited 60 new officers, meaning we are well on target to get 90 new PC’s on the beat and I hope to see more come forward and join.

I will always proudly champion our police.