RESPONDING to growing online crime demands, tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), and building on significant reductions in anti-social behaviour are set to define policing in the year ahead – that’s according to Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth.
Speaking at the latest Police and Crime Panel in Gateshead on Tuesday (16, December) she said these areas represent “the most urgent and fast-evolving challenges facing Northumbria Police,” and confirmed that they will be key areas for investment in 2026 as the force continues to adapt to changing crime trends both on the streets and online.
She highlighted that online crime has risen by 24%, since the introduction of the Online Safety Act. This Act covers a broad range of crimes to better protect victims and encourage reporting – recognising the harmful impact these crimes can have on people’s lives. These new laws encompass sexual violence and harassment, intimate image abuse and child sexual abuse as well as inciting violence and racially or religiously aggravated public order offences. She went on to express the need for officers to have the right tools, skills and capacity to tackle growing challenges presented by the digital world.
She also renewed her commitment to tackling Violence Against Women and Girls, drawing the Panel’s attention to the scale of the issue. One in five calls to the police control room now relates to VAWG, underscoring the need for sustained focus and prevention and education work.
Alongside these growing demands, the Commissioner vowed to keep up momentum in reducing antisocial behaviour. Recent data shows a 22% fall in ASB across the force, with Project Shield hotspot areas achieving an impressive 32% reduction in Quarter 2 compared with the same period last year. She confirmed that a new ASB Action Plan will be developed to build on this progress.
These priorities were underlined as she told the Police and Crime Panel about the emerging pressures facing the force and the strong foundations laid over the past year. She reported that 93% of 999 calls are now answered within 10 seconds, and overall recorded crime has continued to fall, which she welcomed.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth said: “There are some pleasing figures here to end the year on and I welcome them, but with caution – the policing landscape is shifting, and our police need to be ready for the challenges ahead. From rising online crime to the volume of VAWG calls received every day, officers must continue to evolve their response to meet new demands and growing pressures, so they keep delivering for the public. While the public rightly value visible policing in their communities, it is equally vital that officers have the capacity and resources to investigate ever-growing online offending too. For me, my mission to deliver safer streets and stronger communities continues – and this needs to be both in person and online. I will keep working alongside our police force, partners and the public to keep making progress to improve feelings of safety and keep driving crime down.”
