A new four year strategy committing Northumbria Police to preventing and fighting crime is ready to be signed off by Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness. The plan makes official the public’s policing priorities, including boosting officer numbers and tackling serious organised crime.
More than 5,900 residents across the North East responded to surveys, online discussions, and by phone, to tell Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, what good policing looks like to them and their local communities. Nearly every person surveyed, whether living in urban, rural or coastal areas, placed great importance on neighbourhood policing, and backed plans for visible policing in their area.
The plan includes a commitment to tackling serious and organised crime, with a promise to hire 60 new detectives as part of this; a commitment to working with councils, housing providers and others to build on ASB task forces used during the Covid pandemic; targeted efforts to keep young people out of gangs as part of a Violence Reduction Unit, and a promise to publish upfront regular crime data showing the public how their force is responding to their needs.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “Our region has come together to create this plan at what is a crucial time for policing. We are all learning to live with and recover from a pandemic which has placed immense strain on people including our hardworking officers, staff and volunteers. It’s vital we don’t stop fighting crime because of Covid.
“This is a plan setting about what the people of our region want – families, businesses and organisations – and I represent their voices. They’ve all shared their needs and expectations from their police and the force will now deliver on them, and I’ll work to ensure the force has the resources it needs, from putting officers on the streets to disrupting serious and organised crime at every level.
“We know that times of hardship, recession and uncertainty can lead some into crime. We need to be doing all we can to prevent this and my Violence Reduction Unit will continue playing a key role supporting our police with this work – it’s about keeping ahead of the game.”
Kim added: “Thankfully, the North East is one of the safest places to live in the country and we are lucky to have a force that listens well, responds to views and ideas and puts them into action. I will do everything within my power to give the force the resources it needs to fight crime and keep you safe and I look forward to working closely with the Chief Constable to bring about some really positive change for our region.
“We’ll be hiring more police officers and supporting youth services to help your neighbourhood and keep our streets safe. I know that building our force back up is what local people want to see. After a decade of cuts people want to have a strong police force fit for the future, serving communities and supporting victims well. So that’s what this plan sets out to achieve and part of my job will be ensuring I keep you updated with the progress we make.”
The 6 key priorities, identified following the public consultation are:
FIGHTING CRIME
- Tackling anti-social behaviour
- Reducing crime
PREVENTING CRIME
- Preventing violent crime
- Neighbourhood policing
IMPROVING LIVES
- Supporting Victims
- Tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence
To mark the launch, the Police and Crime Commissioner will be joined by Chief Constable Winton Keenen for a live Facebook event – an opportunity for local residents to put their questions to the region’s top policing figures about the new set of priorities and how the force will deliver on them. To submit a question or to join the event follow Northumbria PCC’s Facebook page (@KiMcGuinness) for more information.
The Police and Crime Plan will be available to download at www.northumbria-pcc.gov.uk after it is discussed by the Police and Crime Panel on Tuesday 2nd February.
