AN innovative partnership that aims to tackle staking behaviours and prevent reoffending has worked on 43 high risk stalking cases in its first year.

The Northumbria Stalking Interventions Programme (NSIP) brings together police, probation, victim services and health professionals to raise awareness of stalking among colleagues, better manage the risk of those exhibiting stalking behaviours and ensure victims are offered the best protection and support.

The project became operational in 2024, with funding secured through the local Probation Service and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria.

In the project’s first year, the key focus has been training practitioners to recognise early signs of stalking behaviours and ensuring stalking-specific risk assessments are carried out for high-risk cases. NSIP has developed and delivered a stalking awareness package to 2332 practitioners throughout probation as well as other partner agencies within the Northumbria force area.

Another part of the project is provided by CNTW who help risk assess the cases of highest concern and advise on risk and safeguarding. Expertise includes the advice from forensic psychiatrists and psychologists who assist other agencies in comprehensively understanding the risks presented and advice on management strategies aimed at protecting the victims and the general public.

Crucially, alongside all this work, the project also ensures all agencies are communicating to ensure victims access specialist emotional support and safeguarding advice through Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service and Northumbria Victim and Witness Service (NVWS). Together they have supported 26 people through NSIP.

Examples of behaviours of perpetrators referred to the programme include making threats, tracking victim whereabouts (often online), making unwanted contact, breaching restraining orders, turning up at a victim’s home or a children’s school and other behaviours.

Of the 43 individuals successfully referred onto the programme, the most common relationship between perpetrator and victim was ex-intimate partner (81.4%), and of the 43 referrals, 42 were male.

Project successes to date include influencing court disposals and assessments, arrests for the most concerning stalking perpetrators, enhancing safeguarding and support to victims, increasing information sharing between partners, victims having increased feelings of safety, and there are early indicators of reduced harm to identified victims and future victims through action taken.

The Northumbria Stalking Interventions Programme (NSIP) is a multi-agency project involving collaboration between partners from the Probation Service, Northumbria Police, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW), the Office of the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service, Northumbria Victim and Witness Service and the Alice Ruggles Trust.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said:

“Stalking is a very frightening and intimidating crime and the earlier we can all come together to protect the victim and change the behaviours of those doing the stalking, the better. We call this a multiagency approach, and I really believe it’s the best way to address stalking by ensuring effective communication and information sharing.

“Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls in all its forms is very much a priority of my Police and Crime Plan. We know stalking remains an under-reported crime and I want to make victims feel empowered to speak up and report it. I want to highlight this programme, so people know stalking is something we’re taking seriously whether that’s improving the policing response or working to change perpetrator behaviours. This programme is presenting a real opportunity to reduce offending, while supporting victims and improving their overall experience of the criminal justice system.

The PCC added: “Fortunately we have a government that’s taking stalking seriously too, looking to introduce new measures to strengthen enforcement and better protect victims, such as making it easier for courts to issue Stalking Protection Orders and improving information sharing with victims. I believe these new measures will make it easier to protect victims and hold perpetrators to account. These are meaningful changes that will help us tackle stalking head on.”

Paul Weatherstone, Head of Newcastle upon Tyne Probation Delivery Unit, said:

“We know that stalking causes significant harm and distress to those involved and the best way to tackle it effectively is by organisations working together to hold the perpetrator to account and promote behaviour change while also making sure that the victim is kept safe.

“As the Probation lead for the Northumbria Stalking Interventions Programme I am really proud of all that we’ve achieved to upskill literally hundreds of Probation staff across the North East Region to better recognise, assess and address the risks associated with stalking. I’m also really proud of the central role that Probation has played in establishing this important multi agency approach to address an issue of increasing concern.

“By working collaboratively we’ve already been able to deliver some really positive change about the way we work with stalking. Looking ahead, it’s crucial that we build on what we’ve achieved so far and continue to work together to better protect victims and make our community safer.

Dr Rajesh Nadkarni, Executive Medical Director and Deputy Chief Executive for Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW), said:

“We have a long history of working in partnership with police, probation, courts, and other agencies. This includes providing clinical advice, training, and working strategically with our partners. Stalking and associated behaviours cause significant harm and distress to those involved and often needs a multiagency management response. The Northumbria Stalking Interventions Programme has formally brought together much of this work and expanded the team of people and resources dedicated to it. We are delighted to provide specialist expertise to this programme and, with our partners, continue to strive to make our communities safer.”

Chief Operating Officer, Louise from Paladin NSAS, said:

“A member of our team sits within the clinic meetings and discusses the weekly referrals to ensure the victim’s voice is considered, support offered and to highlight the lifelong impact that stalking has on victims. The NSIP is a positive step forward for the area to improve the response to stalking across the local criminal justice system, with the aim to better identify, support and protect victims of stalking and effectively manage stalking offenders.”

Clive Ruggles, The Alice Ruggles Trust, said:

“Stalking is a hideous form of abuse that can take many forms but always involves unwanted intrusions into people’s lives, repeated endlessly, leaving victims in despair and distress and often in fear of their lives. In the worst cases this fear is justified, as I know all too well following the murder of my daughter Alice in Gateshead back in 2016.

“Stalking is shockingly widespread and cases, when they come to the attention of criminal justice or healthcare professionals, are all too often inadequately dealt with. This is why projects such as NSIP, which brings together a range of agencies to mitigate the risk to stalking victims and help them navigate a way forward, are so vital.

“In the Alice Ruggles Trust we believe that the only way to tackle the problem in the longer term is to change the mindset of a generation, which is why we focus on educating young people to recognise the seriousness of stalking, to look out for those around them, and know where to go to seek help. And an essential part of our strategy is to stop people becoming stalkers in the first place, by helping youngsters identify and tackle problem behaviours before they escalate.

“We are proud to be part of the NSIP project, which ties together these approaches, and are confident it will help lead the way to a future with far fewer stalking victims and adequate protection and support for those who do remain. The ultimate goal has to be to bring stalking to an end, and we can only do that by working together.”

Assistant Chief Constable Alastair Simpson, of Northumbria Police, said: “Stalking is a crime which sadly can often have a lifelong impact upon victims.

“Since it was launched last year, the Northumbria Stalking Intervention Programme (NSIP) has been making steady progress in assessing the highest risk offenders – before intervening and diverting them away from stalking behaviours through agency appropriate management and referrals.

“The initiative also seeks to further equip specialists across the multitude of agencies involved in NSIP with the tools to increase their knowledge, understanding and confidence when identifying and dealing with stalking.

“As a Force, we are supportive of the collaborative and innovative approach by joining agencies together in the pursuit of perpetrators and the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable victims.”

Almost 600 staff working across the region’s night-time economy have now been trained to recognise signs of vulnerability and exploitation, as part of a growing initiative to improve safety in local areas.

The training is designed to equip staff with the knowledge and skills to recognise when someone may be at risk, and give them the confidence to take action before harm escalates.

Staff from pubs, bars, hotels and student accommodations have taken part in the online sessions, delivered by the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit and supported by officers from Northumbria Police.

The training has been rolled out to bar staff, security personnel, hotel teams, and venue managers, helping them to:

• Identify signs of intoxication, distress or exploitation.
• Spot the warning signs linked to County Lines activity and Modern Day Slavery.
• Safely intervene and take practical steps to a support vulnerable person, including how to keep them safe.

This proactive approach aims to improve safety in the night-time economy by ensuring staff have the tools to intervene early and respond when someone may be at risk of harm.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth said: “Staff working in bars, clubs, and hotels are often the first to spot when something isn’t right, whether that’s a woman who’s been separated from friends, someone showing signs of distress or intoxication, or an individual being targeted by others. We all have a responsibility to look out for each other.”

“This training helps raise awareness of vulnerability and exploitation, but it also empowers staff to act. It helps them understand how to step in safely, where to direct someone for help, and how to play their part in safeguarding those at risk. The more people who can intervene early, the more we can prevent crime from happening in the first place.”

“Everyone has the right to feel safe when enjoying everything our fantastic towns and cities have to offer. That’s why through the Violence Reduction Unit, Northumbria Police and local partners, we’re committed to creating safer streets and stronger communities, and this training is a key part of delivering on that promise.”

This training programme forms part of a wider effort in preventing serious violence across the Northumbria force area, creating safer, stronger communities for everyone.

For more about the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit and the awareness sessions it delivers, visit the website or email vru@northumbria-pcc.gov.uk

Northumbria Police will increase its community policing presence after getting the green light to boost its recruitment plans.

Nationally, there is a drive to deliver an additional 13,000 neighbourhood officers, PCSOs and special constables over the next your years.

A Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee (NPG) has also been outlined to tell the public what they should be able to expect from local neighbourhood teams.

The Force already has a strong Neighbourhood Policing approach which seeks to prioritise visibility and public engagement.

Effective problem solving, prevention and proactive policing are essential elements of that approach to ensure people feel safe and to provide an outstanding service to the public.

Northumbria submitted an ambitious proposal which has been accepted. It will recruit an additional 95 police officers, 27 PSCOs and 30 Specials over the next year to increase its community policing presence.

The Force are also seeking to be the first in the country to offer a direct entry route into Neighbourhood Policing Teams enabling new officers and staff to make a real difference in their local communities and tackle the issues that matter most.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “Like me, residents want to see officers out there on the streets, embedded in their local communities. So, this is a hugely welcome boost for our police, as a workforce, and for local people who we want to feel safe in their daily lives.

“With my full backing, the Chief Constable put forward an ambitious bid for more officers for our region – to help make those in uniform more visible and accessible wherever you live – whether in our busy towns or our more remote rural areas.

“As PCC, I have set out a clear plan for Northumbria for safer streets and stronger communities and the neighbourhood policing guarantee will play a vital role in helping deliver on my priority to ensure we have an engaged and responsive police force.

“With dedicated funding from Government for neighbourhood policing, we can now press on with big recruitment plans for the region so we can get more officers out where they are needed tackling crime, preventing disorder and providing that welcome police reassurance we all like to see.”

Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said: “When we learned of the opportunity to increase our numbers, we decided to grab it with both hands.

“This will enable us to provide a more visible presence that the public always tell us they want to see.

“We have always valued neighbourhood policing here in Northumbria but this will give us a real boost to help us make communities safer, prevent crime and disorder, solve local problems and build on our already strong relationships with our fantastic communities.”

Want to join the best police force in the country? Visit Police Officer Jobs – Northumbria Police to begin your Northumbria Police journey.

NORTHUMBRIA’s Police and Crime Commissioner is asking landlords to be on the look-out for possible cannabis farms in their rental properties, following a string of dangerous fires and a fatal across the force area.

PCC Susan Dungworth said those setting up cannabis farms in their homes are placing themselves, their neighbours, and the emergency services in serious danger.

Susan is appealing directly to landlords for help in tackling the growing problem – urging them to be vigilant and report concerns.

Signs of a cannabis farm at a property might include extra security, windows that are covered, lots of moisture, and a strong, sweet smell. Also, bright lights always on, more air systems, and wires that have been changed could mean trouble.

Nationally, the issue of growing cannabis in rented homes is on the rise. 90% of cannabis used in the UK is grown in cannabis farms set up in rented homes – with criminals attracted to the anonymity and the ease of being able to quickly abandon premises without a financial tie in.

Such home-based drug farms have resulted in tragedies up and down the country, with fatal fires happening here in the North East.

As well as putting lives at risk through fire danger, police often uncover cannabis production links to other illegal activity like human trafficking and violence, with organised crime groups often behind this.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “Growing cannabis in a rented home is bad news for everyone. It makes the area less safe and can lead to devastating consequences that impact innocent families and entire communities as we saw recently in Benwell. My thoughts remain with the loved ones of Archie York whose whole life was taken away from so unfairly because of people choosing to illegally grown cannabis at a residential property.

We should all report any concerns or suspicions we may have about drug production in our areas. I want landlords to help too by watching for the signs that it could be happening in their property.

“Growing cannabis at home is like setting up ‘death traps’ because of the many risks involved. Landlords and letting agents have a responsibility to check on their tenants and be aware of what their properties are being used for. I’d encourage landlords to regularly visit their properties and make sure nothing suspicious is going on. Make sure you carry out background checks on those who want to rent too. Any illegal and dangerous activity, such as cultivating cannabis plants, should be reported to the police or Crimestoppers, if preferred.

She continued: “Our police have had some great results in the past few months – dismantling multiple farms, arresting suspects and even safeguarding a number of people. Intelligence sharing from landlords and the wider community has helped achieve this, and we welcome more of it.”

Police officers in the North East have seized over £3.2 million worth of cannabis plants and arrested ten in a drug crackdown.

Co-ordinated efforts under Operation Mille from North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU), Cleveland Police, Durham Constabulary, Northumbria Police saw 28 warrants executed and 3,200 cannabis plants seized.

Earlier this year, charity Crimestoppers launched a campaign in Northumberland and Tyne & Wear to raise awareness of the dangerous cannabis extraction processes that produce butane honey oil (BHO) and shatter. BHO can be processed using various techniques to create several different products, including shatter.

Anyone with information about drug production can contact Northumbria Police online or via 101. Otherwise, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or by completing a safe and secure online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org. In an emergency, always call 999.

ENDS

The region’s police organisations have teamed up with partners to host a unique event aimed at shining a light on evidence-based practice that reduces the harm caused by serious and organised crime.

The North East Serious and Organised Crime Conference, was an innovative two-day event, that saw key specialists come together to deliver inputs showcasing national and regional examples of success, demonstrating new opportunities, highlighting new threats, and detailing new capabilities that can be utilised to assist in the prevention of serious and organised crime.

Held at the amazing Glow Centre in Aycliffe Business Park, on March 25 and 26, it was led by the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) with the support of Durham Constabulary, Cleveland Police and Northumbria Police.

The Society for Evidence-Based Policing kindly sponsored the event and it also saw all three of the region’s Police and Crime Commissioners attend and show their support, with Susan Dungworth and Joy Allen, introducing speakers throughout both days.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth said: “Criminal networks often prey on the most vulnerable members of our communities, fuelling violence, exploitation, and fear. The impact this has on individuals, families, and communities is devastating – and this has to stop.

“Tackling serious and organised crime is everyone’s responsibility. We all have a role to play, and no single organisation can tackle it alone. That’s what this conference was all about, bringing together experts from across policing, sharing innovative approaches, and highlighting new opportunities.

“This is a relentless fight but one we are absolutely committed to winning. By sharing intelligence, strengthening our partnerships, and focusing on both disruption and prevention, we will continue making it harder for criminals to operate. Together we will create safer, stronger communities for everyone.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Phil Shutt, Head of NEROCU, said: “It was a fantastic event and we’ve had an incredibly positive response from those who attended.

“I want to thank all those who attended the conference and a special thank you to those who delivered a presentation. Everybody engaging with sessions is what made it the success it was.”

The event also had stalls from Cyber and Economic Crime specialists, Tackling Organised Exploitation (TOEX), Northumbria Police’s Trainee Detective Programme that tackles knife crime, and the City of London Police.

DCS Shutt added: “In the North East we are proud of the connected and coherent response we deliver to the threat of serious and organised crime, providing a collaborative whole system approach across the region with our ROCU, three police forces, NCA and all our partners.

“NEROCU plays a pivotal role in connecting local to national delivery, and events like this are crucial in sharing best practice and raising awareness of the latest innovative capabilities available to maintain our momentum in targeting those involved in serious and organised crime and protecting our communities.”

Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, is urging schools to sign up for The Alice Ruggles Trust school assembly programme, as it gains momentum across the force area..

Funded by the PCC’s office, the Trust is delivering free assemblies to secondary schools across the Northumbria Police force area to help students learn about the warning signs, understand the law, and know where to seek help if needed.

18 schools across the region have already signed up to the project, with 13 assemblies delivered to date. The Alice Ruggles Trust seeks to give young people the confidence to recognise stalking behaviours and empower stalking victims to seek help much sooner, and to build a society that responds in the right way.

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.

Working with partners to prioritise prevention to help reduce violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a key focus for the PCC, who launched her ‘Safer Streets: Stronger Communities’ Plan last month. The Commissioner believes this school assemblies programme is a great example of that prevention work in action.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said:

“A real way to protect our young people is to get more education around stalking in our schools. The more young people we can get in front of to raise awareness of what stalking can look like and how to enjoy healthy relationships, the better.

“We need to support young people and not normalise or trivialise unwanted behaviours and we need to bust the misconceptions – it’s not just a problem for celebrities – it can happen to anyone.  Anyone can become a victim, and anyone can become a stalker if their behaviour towards another person is fixated, obsessive, unwanted and repeated.

“As these engaging assemblies cover, the impact it can have on the victim and their families can be devastating. So, I am appealing to students and to teachers to take a proactive approach in raising awareness by reaching out to The Alice Ruggles Trust and make an important assembly happen in your school.”

Feedback following the school assemblies included a 16-year-old girl commenting “Even if it seems like innocent intentions, your feelings are still validated.” A 14-year-old boy added that he’d learnt “It should always be taken seriously; even if it’s nothing, it’s better to tell someone before it’s too late.”

Lydia Bond, Community Engagement Officer for The Alice Ruggles Trust, who delivers the programme in schools, said:

“Seeing students engage with these sessions and hearing their reflections has been incredibly rewarding. Their words show just how vital it is to educate young people on the seriousness of stalking and healthy relationship behaviours. We’re also incredibly grateful for our volunteers, whose support makes all of this possible—but we still need more people to get involved and help us reach even more young people. We’re making real progress in Northumbria, and I’m excited to keep expanding this work.”

Clive Ruggles added: “It is the mission of the Alice Ruggles Trust to foster generations of young people who understand stalking, the potential risks of stalking, and what they can do about it. We know our assemblies across Northumbria are starting vital conversations that are part of the prevention puzzle to bringing stalking to an end.”

To arrange an assembly or learn more about how to volunteer with this vital initiative, contact Lydia at The Alice Ruggles Trust  lydia@alicerugglestrust.org