“Together, we’re pulling out all the stops so Project Shield success can continue” says PCC
A crime crackdown project that has helped anti-social behaviour (ASB) levels plummet in targeted areas across Northumbria is set to stay, despite recent funding uncertainty.
At a meeting which brought partners across the Project Shield partnership together today, Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth laid out her plans to help save Project Shield.
To rescue the project, the PCC has drawn on other funding pots and negotiated contributions from all partnership members, which will allow the initiative to continue in a restructured way using the same joint efforts and targeted approach already being delivered.
Since the project launched back in July 2024 it has been hailed a success by all local authorities and transport network partners, helping achieve significant crime reductions and improvements in public confidence in the designated hotspots.
2026 data so far shows that across all the hotspot areas, ASB has fallen by an impressive 24% thanks to high visibility patrols, strengthened partnership work and problem-solving intervention and engagement activities.
New plans will help fund the continuation of local authority and transport patrols to support regular neighbourhood policing patrols in key areas. Additional police patrols will also be delivered through the Home Office Knife Crime Concentration Fund (KCCF) as part of a programme of work supporting Project Shield led by Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit.
| Local success stories through Project Shield:
South Tyneside County Council – Ocean Road youth diversion work has helped achieve a 46% drop in youth ASB Northumberland County Council– Super Spud geo-targeted digital media ASB prevention ads achieved over 1 million impressions on digital ads across YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat and audio streaming North Tyneside Council – Significant improvements in the reporting of retail thefts through increased engagement with local businesses. Gateshead Council – The launch of the WalkSafe app, which can be used by students living in, and people visiting, the town centre to find information on safe spaces and walking routes Newcastle City Council – An art installation at an underpass in West Denton has helped strengthen community pride and reduce anti-social behaviour. Sunderland City Council – Significant reductions in anti-social behaviour in Concord, Pallion and Sunderland city centre through high vis patrols and engagement with businesses and residents |
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth said: “When I launched Project Shield with our partners, we all knew the Home Office Hotspot Action Fund was never a long term fix – it was about kickstarting focused enhanced work and it really kickstarted something good for our force area – something none of the partners want to see end. That’s why my office has been holding workshops and planning meetings to bring everyone together – determined to save it.
“It’s made such an impact in communities needing extra support and police presence – and it’s not just helped ASB numbers fall, people are telling me they feel safer thanks to Project Shield. I want that public confidence to keep growing; the whole of the partnership does. I’m grateful to all partners as the backing has been brilliant, and we are exploring new ways of working to keep Project Shield as part of regular business so we can all play our part in delivering safer streets and stronger communities.”
Chief Superintendent Barrie Joisce, Northumbria Police’s anti-social behaviour lead, said: “We’re delighted that we’ll be able to continue the important work of Project Shield alongside our committed partner organisations.
“Since the initiative was launched two years ago, we’ve seen a significant fall in ASB right across the Force area, thanks in no small part to the joined up working between ourselves, the PCC and local authorities.
“We’d like to reassure the public that in no way will we become complacent in this area. We know how important it is to keep on top of important issues such as ASB and knife crime so that residents feel safe and secure in their daily lives and in the coming weeks and months we’ll be building on the extensive existing work we’ve done.
“Thank you for your ongoing support and please continue to work with us by reporting any suspicious behaviour in your community so that we can take the necessary action.”
ENDS
PHOTO: Decision makers, Town Centre Ambassadors and Community Safety Officers join PCC Susan Dungworth to map out the future of Project Shield
Notes to editors
Quotes supplied by LAs:
Cllr Karen Kilgour, leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “Every day council officers are out across the city, making a positive difference for our communities. And Project Shield has greatly supported that, delivering a range of benefits, from helping to fund youth art projects to ensuring that, alongside Northumbria Police, we have a presence in the most problematic areas when needed. That has helped prevent crime and anti-social behaviour as well as helping the most vulnerable people to get the support they require. We clearly all want safer streets and stronger communities and we are encouraged to hear of the plans to make the type of action Project Shield has taken a more regular part of police’s work.”
Councillor Kelly Chequer, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Safer Communities at Sunderland City Council, said: “Project Shield has been a real success story in Sunderland, significantly reducing anti-social-behaviour in a number of areas across the city, so I’m delighted to see it continuing. We know that anti-social-behaviour is a real concern for many in our communities and joint projects like this have really proved their worth in helping us tackle it.”
Northumberland County Councillor, Gordon Stewart, cabinet member for Public Safety said:
“Project shield is a great partnership success story with teams working together in targeted areas not just to respond to crime – but to prevent it too. Through this proactive approach we are protecting vulnerable residents and creating safer neighbourhoods. I am incredibly proud of what has been achieved to date and I know the partnership work will go from strength to strength.”
