‘PROJECT SHIELD’ – A FORCE-WIDE PROJECT TO PROTECT COMMUNITIES HAS BEEN LAUNCHED TO TACKLE CRIME AND ASB IN HOTSPOT AREAS
BOOSTING community confidence and driving down crime like anti-social behaviour and serious violence– that is what a new joint project is setting out to achieve across the whole Northumbria Police force area.
Through funding secured by Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth’s office, Northumbria Police has been working closely with all six local authorities and the local transport network to devise Project Shield. The new project will deliver increased patrols by police and partners, as well as targeted activity in identified areas of concern.
These increased patrols will be used to engage with people and businesses, help grow trust and create opportunities for local people to report issues around anti-social behaviour, crime and serious violence. Officers will also be able to take swift action should any incidents arise.
The project also includes analysts and intelligence officers who are working to identify trends and inform deployments meaning bespoke action will be taken to meet the patterns and needs of each specific area.
With the summer holidays around the corner, activity is also being planned in response to seasonal increases in ASB and serious violence. Prevention work through Northumbria’s Violence Reduction Unit and other youth service providers is also part of the project plan.
People can expect to see a broad range of activity such as stop and search operations, weapon sweeps, community engagement events, as well as robust action to catch known offenders in hotspot areas.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “I want people to feel that their streets are safer, and their community is stronger, and I know the launch of this project is a significant step towards achieving that. This project is about us all coming together as one, looking closely at the intelligence and data and targeting areas of concern with a direct response – a real boost in activity. This will help local people feel reassured as well as helping to catch those responsible for causing misery and harm in our communities.
“It’s a truly joined up effort with our police, local authorities and transport providers. We are all determined to protect communities throughout the Northumbria Police area and I am grateful to everyone who is behind it, making it happen.”
Susan added: “I know a lot activity, covering engagement, prevention and enforcement has been mapped out for the months ahead – I welcome this and I know the residents I have spoken with will do too.”
Chief Superintendent Joanne Park-Simmons, Northumbria Police’s knife crime lead, said: “It’s great to see police and partners coming together to address key concerns across our Force area.
“Anti-social behaviour and violence can have serious and life-changing consequences, which can also significantly affect the wider community.
“This targeted approach – focused on increased visibility and community engagement – will build on efforts around crime prevention and ensure people feel safe where they live, work and visit.
“It will also help us form a clearer picture of the criminal networks potentially operating in these areas, so we can identify and target those responsible for causing harm within our communities.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing the results this joint operation delivers – and the positive impact it has in our region.”
Project Shield investment has been secured by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbia through the Hotspot Response fund and will run until March 2025.
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