AWARENESS assemblies ran by the Alice Ruggles Trust, aimed at enhancing student knowledge and understanding of stalking, have secured continued funding from Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth’s office.

This year marks 10 years since Alice was tragically murdered after a relentless stalking campaign by her jealous ex partner. The Alice Ruggles Trust was set up in her memory by her parents, Clive Ruggles and Sue Hills, who are dedicated to raising awareness about healthy and unhealthy relationships including how to recognise and respond to unwanted attention.

School assemblies are one of the ways the charity is reaching young people with important messages. Funded through the PCC’s Supporting Victims Programme, the project is being rolled out in schools across the Northumbria Police force area. It aims to help students recognise what stalking is, where to go for support and information, and what to do if you think a friend or family member might be at risk.

Teachers who have supported the programme in their schools have reported increased confidence among students noting high levels of participation and curiosity in lessons. Students themselves have described the assembles as ‘thought-provoking and hard-hitting’.

A formal academic evaluation by a team from three universities has also highlighted the positive impact the assemblies had on student knowledge levels.

Backing the importance and impact of the project, the PCC’s office has announced continued funding to help the project expand its reach raising awareness among more students in the local area.

Speaking during Stalking Awareness Week, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “The school assemblies programme is a great example of prevention work in action. I’ve seen these assemblies being delivered – the young people were presented with emotionally resonant stories and relatable scenarios. It not only helps them recognise harmful and complex behaviours like stalking, but it also helps them see the emotional impact on victims and the importance of seeking support. We need to keep reaching more and more students with these assembles to get important messages out there and help prevent what happened to Alice from happening to others.”

Last year the government added stalking to its RSE (relationships and sex education) guidance and mentioned the work of The Alice Ruggles Trust in its strategy to halve violence against women and girls within a decade – leading to an increase in the number of schools signing up to the assemblies.

Since it launched in Northumbria in October 2024, 3661 students have received assemblies across the region.

Clive Ruggles said:

“Since we set up the Alice Ruggles Trust, raising awareness about stalking amongst young people has become a core priority for us, and school assemblies have shown themselves to be the most effective way of doing this. Only through education will we reduce stalking in the long term: it’s about changing the mindset of future generations.

While our volunteers present assemblies in schools around the country, we are hugely grateful for the support from the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner which has enabled us to establish, and now to sustain, a concentrated project in the area in which Alice lived happily, but sadly died. It is a real boost to our efforts to prevent what happened to Alice happening to others.”

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner also commissions a range of support services for victims of stalking and harassment including Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service. To find commissioned services to best meet your needs please search the Victims Services Directory featured on the PCC’s website.

Stalking often leads to emotional, psychological, and sometimes physical harm and has been experienced by 1 in 5 young people in the UK. 47% of young people who reported being stalked experienced it online.

You can find more information about the Alice Ruggles Trust here: Alice Ruggles Trust | Putting an end to stalking.

A DJ and music workshop in Gateshead is helping steer young people away from violence and anti-social behaviour by offering a safe, creative space in the heart of a busy transport hub.

Having already engaged 86 young people, with up to 25 attending each week from across Gateshead, the project has also successfully supported several individuals previously linked to anti-social behaviour, helping to steer them away from trouble by offering a creative outlet.

Held every Thursday evening at Gateshead Interchange, the Good Vibes project is providing an environment where young people can take part in something positive, with transport users stopping to watch the young performers.

Developed by Gateshead Football Club Foundation, and delivered by Northern Pulse, with support from the foundation’s youth workers, these sessions give young people the chance to learn DJing, develop MC skills and build confidence through music, while also finding a sense of purpose and belonging in their local area.

Good Vibes is part of a wider programme of prevention work funded by the Young Futures Prevention Panel in Gateshead, a multi-agency initiative bringing together the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, Gateshead Council, and local drug and alcohol services to better support young people.

Through tailored support and creating accessible opportunities such as these music workshops, the panel is providing positive alternatives to crime, helping young people make safer choices.

The early success of the project is already showing how creative activities can play an important role in building confidence, developing skills, preventing crime, and strengthening community spaces locally.

The PCC joined the Good Vibes workshop to speak directly with the young people involved, gathering their views as part of ongoing engagement to help shape the refresh of her police and crime plan. 

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth said: “The Good Vibes workshops are helping steer young people away from harm, creating a safe space to take part in something positive, and importantly, of interest to them.

“It is helping improve confidence, develop skills, and provide meaningful alternatives to crime and anti-social behaviour, which supports our efforts to reducing violence and preventing issues from escalating. This is exactly the kind of project that makes a real difference in our communities and shows the importance of prevention work in action.

“The project is one of a number of pathways available to young people through the Young Futures Prevention Panel in Gateshead, bringing together the Violence Reduction Unit, Gateshead Council and local drug and alcohol services, working to identify needs early and provide more support for young people.”

She added: “This is a fantastic example of how investing in young people and community-based projects can have a lasting impact – not just for the young people involved but for the wider community as a whole. It’s exactly the kind of approach that helps us build safer, stronger communities for everyone.”

Joanne Watson, Projects and Grants Manager at Gateshead Football Club Foundation said: “This project has been a labour of love for The Foundation and all involved. We are immensely proud of The Good Vibes Project and our collaboration with Northern Pulse, Gateshead Council and Nexus. We cannot thank the PCC and the VRU enough for their funding and belief in our project. Music brings people together and has the power to changes lives.”

Lindsey Ojomo, Head of Community Safety and Emergency Planning at Gateshead Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see how popular these creative workshops have been. By providing safe, free and accessible activities for young people, we can help to steer them away from anti-social behaviour in our hotspot areas.

“This is just one of several new projects to reduce ASB in the town centre, and it’s been great to work with our partners on the Young Futures Panel to learn from innovative ways to prevent and deter young people from getting involved with crime in Gateshead.”

Erika Allen, Quality Health Safety Security and Environment (QHSSE) Director at Nexus, said: “It’s great for us to support such a worthwhile outreach project at Gateshead Interchange, which is allowing young people to channel their creativity through the medium of music.

“Community based schemes like this are a really useful way of engaging with young people and giving them something positive to do in their spare time. DJ and music workshops can steer them away from anti-social behaviour and make a real difference to their lives.

“Gateshead Interchange is a great public space for live music, and it’s been getting a great response from those taking part since it started. It’s proven popular with young people, who are engaged, keen to learn, and showcase their creativity.

“Reducing crime and anti-social behaviour on the public transport system is a top priority and outreach schemes play a vital part in that.”

For more information about the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, visit the website or email vru@northumbria-pcc.gov.uk.

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A film project challenging Manosphere attitudes is one of 27 good causes set to benefit from a share of a £100,000 funding pot set up by Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth.

With documentary film maker Louis Theroux’s latest programme making the headlines for exposing online manosphere influencers and their misogynistic and harmful beliefs, a new film project by The Young Women’s Film Academy (YWFA) couldn’t have come at a better time to give young women a voice on the topic.

The YWFA is known for supporting young women and girls to creatively explore concerns, anxieties and issues that are important to them. Funding from the Commissioner’s Community Fund will be used towards a ‘Stories of the Manosphere’ documentary-drama – guided by professional female film makers exploring the lived experiences of girls and women who have suffered misogyny and abuse. It will then be used to educate young people, parents and the professionals on the subject.

The project is a strong fit with the Fund’s aim of supporting organisations and grassroot projects that want to help towards delivering the Police and Crime Commissioner’s plan for safer streets and stronger communities – supporting organisations striving to make where they live a better place.

This project is just one of a range of organisations delivering social action projects, targeted youth work and community cohesion initiatives that are set to benefit from the Commissioner’s Community Fund.

Other beneficiaries include: Prudhoe Youth Project (Northumberland), Springwell Community Village Venue (Gateshead), Al Azhar Mosque (South Tyneside), North Tyneside Disability Forum (North Tyneside) and Parker Trust CIO (Sunderland).

A total pot of £114,820 is being shared between these groups and other successful applicants from across the Northumbria Police Force area. Some of the money used to create this fund has been recovered by police under the Proceeds of Crime Act (PoCA) – ensuring that money taken from criminals is reinvested into the communities it once harmed.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “This fund is about giving people positive opportunities, which in turn can deliver a positive impact on the local community. We were inundated with bids this year and I am thankful that Northumbria has so many fantastic organisations, led by brilliant people wanting to achieve great things in their local area.

“The Young Women’s Film Academy was certainly one of several stand-out bids. We know misogyny is at the root of all violence against women and girls and influencers like those in the Louis Theroux documentary are undoubtedly having a really worrying impact on young men and boys’ attitudes to women and relationships.

“While many, including myself, welcome this documentary for shining a light on an important issue – the documentary seems to lack how this manosphere culture actively affects women – many have commented on the limited female contributions.

“And so here we are with a project idea aiming to do just that – explore real life experiences and give women a voice in all this manosphere chat and I can’t wait to see the film and make sure they get heard.”

Clara Shield, Founder & CEO, YWFA, said: We are delighted to have received this funding which will enable us to create a film and educational resource, that shares the lived experiences of the girls and young women we work with, telling the stories that audiences are not hearing. We know the importance of raising this issue with boys, young men and wider society, however this should never be to the detriment or the silencing of women and girls. They are the victims. Our film project will provide a platform to do justice to their stories, handled with care and compassion.

This year, the Commissioner’s Community Fund applications were managed Community Foundation North East. Community Foundation North East is a charity that has guided effective giving across the region since 1988, to help to build a thriving, generous, and inclusive North East today and for generations to come

Pete Barrett, Senior Programme Advisor at Community Foundation North East, said: “The Police Crime Commissioner’s Community Fund demonstrates the strength of partnership working in addressing complex social challenges and supporting safer, more resilient communities. Community Foundation North East is pleased to have managed this programme on behalf of the Police and Crime Commissioner, ensuring funding reaches grassroots organisations that are creating safe, inclusive spaces and delivering meaningful change at a local level. Projects such as the Young Women’s Film Academy highlight the importance of empowering voices that are too often unheard, while equipping communities with the awareness and tools needed to challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours.”

A full list of projects funded by this round of the Commissioner’s Community Fund can be found HERE.

FOLLOWING the success of Northumbria Police’s ‘Trojan’ bus – a decoy bus where the passengers are plain clothes police officers heading to catch crime in action – a Trojan Metro has now been launched, bringing a similar principle to the tracks.

Previously, the innovative policing tactic involved officers boarding what appeared to be a regular bus service but was in fact a staged service on route to pick up anti-social behaviour (ASB) offenders at bus stops and stations – helping officers make any necessary arrests.

Now the initiative is being rolled out on the Metro lines with its first operation taking place last Friday. What may appear to be a regular train carriage carrying Metro customers is actually also transporting plain clothed police officers, ready to respond to crime and ASB on the move, or helping catch trouble-makers by surprise at stations, interchanges and nearby neighbourhoods.

The Trojan Metro initiative is being funded through Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth’s Project Shield. 2026 data so far shows that across all the hotspot areas, ASB has fallen by an impressive 24% thanks to high visibility patrols and strong partnership work.

Deployments on the Metro have been determined by hotspot data and focus on routes connecting areas where members of the public have repeatedly raised concerns.

During the first Trojan Metro operation on Friday, 1,000 people passed through knife arches at stations, while police engaged with over 200 people and businesses about the operation. Officers made six arrests of individuals on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly, breach of bail and failing to appear before court. Investigations are ongoing around other recorded crimes for public order offences, assault and possession of cannabis.

Project Shield is a partnership covering joint activity from police and partners working to help deliver safer streets and stronger communities. It involves greater police and partner patrols in hotspot areas, effective resource targeting led by data, and community engagement and prevention activities, including working with youth services.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commission, Susan Dungworth, said: “Opportunistic thieves, antisocial groups, harassment – these – or the fear of these, can put people off from catching a bus or a Metro – it can hold people back.

“And so, I want to make sure we are doing all we can to help people feel safe and comfortable on our public transport. I hope hearing about work like this helps deter criminals and increases passenger confidence.

“We often talk about people wanting high visibility policing but this approach brings its own benefits too by allowing officers to identify offences as they happen and intervene quickly.

“Through Project Shield, we’ve been trying a range of methods to catch offenders and reduce crime. The Trojan Metro is another great example of our joint efforts responding to concerns and helping people feel safe as they go about their lives.”

Chief Inspector Phil Baker, of Northumbria Police, said: “Passengers should feel secure when it comes to travelling on the wider transport network and between bus stops, stations and hubs.

“Policing in this way through Project Shield gives us a unique opportunity to identify those behaving in an anti-social or criminal way in real time – so that along with our partners Nexus we can disrupt offenders swiftly and take the appropriate action against those involved.

“It’s not just about ASB though. Officers deployed on the Trojan Metro are also trained to safeguard those in need such as missing people, those who may have mental health issues as well as suspects we believe may be involved in County Lines drug-dealing criminality.

“It also assists with our ongoing commitment to tackling violence against women and girls.

“Ultimately, we are using the Trojan Metro as a way to fight crime as it is happening so that we can prevent further disorder – ensuring that all passengers and residents feel safe when using public transport.

“Together with our partners, we will continue to use every tactic at our disposal to prevent and disrupt crime and keep our region among the safest places to live in the country.”

Transport operator Nexus says they’ve been investing heavily into tackling ASB and crime, and have seen positive results which they hope the Trojan Metro initiative can help boost. This additional resource will help achieve their primary objective of a safe and secure network for their customers and employees and hope deploying specialist police in a plain clothes capacity will help deter anyone thinking of offending on Metro.

Cathy Massarella, Managing Director of Nexus, said: “Special policing operations like this are absolutely essential for keeping the Tyne and Wear Metro system safe and secure for our customers.

“It’s a unique way to target crime and anti-social behaviour in and around Metro. It sends out a clear message that anyone who causes trouble on our transport system will get caught and will face prosecution.

“Plain clothed policing and high visibility patrols are key elements of Project Shield in partnership with Northumbria Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner, delivering safer streets and stronger communities. Tackling violence and intimidation against women and girls in particular is a vital focus.

“We take this very seriously. Metro is a safe system to travel on, and where issues do occur, we work closely with the police to deal with it.

“This builds on the work we have already done to improve safety and security on Metro, including the introduction of our dedicated security teams, investment in new CCTV, and the ongoing roll out of our new train fleet.”

“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.

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.”

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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.”

Launched during a national week of action to disrupt organised criminal networks, this new online awareness course will help more people recognise the warning signs of county lines activity and criminal exploitation.

Developed by the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, and informed by specialist staff from policing, education and children’s services, the free course gives youth workers, community organisations, and frontline staff, the knowledge and confidence to identify when children and vulnerable adults may be being exploited.

County Lines, which refers to the transportation of illegal drugs from one area to another, often involves the targeting and exploitation of young and vulnerable people, who can be coerced into carrying drugs, money or weapons.

The new module explains how criminal networks operate, the tactics they use to recruit and control victims, and how more people can recognise the warning signs if someone may be at risk or involved in this activity. It also provides guidance on how to report concerns and access support.

Equipping people with the tools to intervene early, and prevent violence before it escalates, the course expands the e-learning topics available within the Violence Prevention Ambassadors Programme and supports the wider work of the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, and its partners.

Since the programme’s launch, which already includes modules on knife crime, joint enterprise, youth violence and hidden harms, it has helped create a growing network of more than 300 trained ambassadors from across the Northumbria force area, raising awareness and strengthening early intervention in communities.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth said: “County Lines ruins lives, drawing young and vulnerable people into danger, violence and crime, and placing them at significant risk of harm.”

“This new course will help those working in our communities better understand what County Lines is, the dangers and risks involved, how individuals are recruited, the life-altering consequences that follow, and importantly, the support available. It’s a powerful example of how we can all play our part in keeping people safe.”

“Through the Violence Reduction Unit, Northumbria Police, and partners, we will continue to tackle the root causes of serious violence, taking a proactive and informed approach that supports young people and prevents them from being drawn into harm.”

“By working together, we can make a real difference – educating young people early, supporting those at risk and taking action against those causing harm, helping to create safer streets, and stronger communities for everyone.”

For more information about the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit or to sign up to the Violence Prevention Ambassadors programme, visit the website.

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