Marking five years since its launch, the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit highlights new figures that show significant progress in preventing and reducing serious violence across the region.

The latest data shows real impact over the last 12 months, with a 5.9% reduction in serious violence, a 5.7% drop in knife-related incidents, and hospital admissions caused by sharp objects are down by 34%.

Established in 2019, the Violence Reduction Unit takes a long-term, public health approach to tackling serious violence, addressing its root causes through early intervention and targeted initiatives.

Over the past year, a range of interventions have been delivered, many of which were co-designed with communities and practitioners to ensure they respond to local needs.

By working closely with partners and local services, these are just some of the initiatives making a real difference:

• Over 34,350 individuals have been engaged by the Education Team, including 11,008 young people who attended dedicated knife crime awareness sessions.
• The Seasonal Violence programme, which increases activity during the popular summer and winter months, delivered a 15% reduction in serious violence and a 28% drop in anti-social behaviour.
• Student Champions provided tailored, one to one support for 166 vulnerable young people, offering guidance to divert them from crime.
• Through the Local Youth Fund, more than 2,400 young people directly benefited from positive activities they helped shape, from awareness films and sports sessions to safe spaces and culture days.
• The recently launched Violence Prevention Ambassadors Programme, trained 166 ambassadors and is engaging a further 500 individuals in the e-learning modules, equipping participants with the tools to spot early warning signs and start vital conversations.

Now, through the Government’s Safer Streets Mission, the Violence Reduction Unit has secured £2.2 million to build on current achievements, and continue delivering initiatives that prevent violence and improve safety in local communities.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth said: “Listening to what matters most to our communities, you told me that tackling serious violence is crucial, which is why I’ve made this vital prevention work a key priority in my police and crime plan.”

“Over the past year, we’ve seen real progress, with reductions in serious violence, knife crime and anti-social behaviour. But we won’t stop here. This isn’t about quick fixes, it’s about creating lasting change. That means continuing to invest in prevention, intervening early, educating and empowering young people, supporting families, and creating positive opportunities that steer individuals away from crime.”

She added: “Through the Violence Reduction Unit, Northumbria Police and our partners, we are committed to ensuring you feel safe, whether out in public places, or in the comfort of your own home. We will continue to listen and adapt our approaches, because for every individual we reach, and every life we help steer away from harm, is another step towards safer streets and stronger communities for everyone.”

Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit Director, Steven Hume, said: “This isn’t just about reducing violent crime, it’s about changing lives for the better. I’m proud of the progress we’re making, but we know that meaningful change doesn’t happen overnight.”

“A long-term public health approach, focusing on prevention and early intervention, is essential, and so are the strong partnerships that we have across Northumbria. We’re starting to see the results of this joined up effort. We know it works but there is more we need to do. We remain committed to working with our partners and communities to tackle the root causes of serious violence.”

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

The father of Alice Ruggles, who was murdered by an obsessive stalker in Gateshead in 2016, has bravely joined pupils at a Sunderland school to see how the charitable Trust, set up in her memory, is sharing Alice’s devastating story through a new schools initiative.

The school assemblies project, delivered by The Alice Ruggles Trust, is free to secondary schools across the Northumbria Police force area and aims to help prevent what happened to Alice from happening to others.

The scheme has been funded by Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, who also joined Alice’s dad, Clive, to see the impactful assembly being delivered.

Students at Sandhill View Academy in Sunderland attended the 30-minute assembly, ahead of National Stalking Awareness Week (NSAW) 21-25 April. The school is one of 18 across the force area to have signed up for the assembly.

The Alice Ruggles Trust was set up by Alice’s loved ones to educate people around stalking, the potential risks of stalking, and what they can do about it.

Like many stalking victims, Alice did not realise the very real danger that she was in at the hands of her obsessive ex-partner. Nor was the danger fully recognised by her family, her friends or the police.

The project has therefore been designed to raise awareness of the fixated, obsessive, unwanted and repeated behaviours that can lead to stalking, and how to seek help.  It is also focused on prevention and getting the message across to young people that they should seek support when patterns of repeated, unwanted behaviours make them feel uncomfortable and uneasy – so they can access support before behaviours become fixated and obsessive.

By the end of the assembly students should:

• begin to recognise what stalking is and understand it should be taken seriously;
• know where to go for support or information if they think they are being stalked; and
• know how to help a friend or family member who they think may be at risk.

One young person said “I was shocked by what happened. It’s made me think about people’s behaviours, and my own too. Checking someone’s ‘last online’ or ‘current location’ – people can get obsessed – it can get out of hand.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said:

“To be sat there, watching such a moving and powerful assembly being delivered, with Alice’s dad sat right next to me – it was incredibly poignant. I’m in awe with how the family have made it their mission to do everything in their power to help prevent what happened to Alice from happening to others.

“It’s really important, particularly in the digital age, that young people recognise stalking and have the confidence to seek support. By getting this assembly rolled out in as many schools as possible, in front of as many young people and their teachers as we can, I hope we are equipping this generation with the knowledge to recognise stalking, along with the confidence to seek help.”

Clive Ruggles of The Alice Ruggles Trust, said:

“The strapline of the Alice Ruggles Trust is ‘Putting an end to stalking’, and we believe the only way to approach that ultimate goal is to change the mindset of a generation. That is why we focus on educating young people, through assemblies like this, 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.

“It never gets any easier to hear Alice’s voice as we play part of her phone call to the police, but sitting in front of the audience at one of our assemblies it was clear to see the impact that our message was having.

“We are hugely grateful for the support of the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner which has made it possible to reach so many schools in their area and has provided a model that we are starting to follow around the country. Stalking is shockingly widespread and stalking awareness is an essential part of relationships and sex education. We hope that many of the schools we reach with our assemblies will follow up with our PSHE lessons that are freely available on-line to all teachers.”

Assistant Headteacher Anthony Blake at Sandhill View Academy in Sunderland, said:

“We place great importance on educating our students about healthy relationships and how to stay safe.  Hearing Alice’s harrowing story and the impact on her family members really personalised this. We could see the key messages unfold and resonate with students; the dangers of normalising controlling behaviours such as checking people’s locations, ‘last online’ status and understanding when behaviours or attentions are unwanted.

“It was also important for students to learn that anyone can become a victim and where to seek support. These powerful messages were delivered clearly through the assembly, through the support of the Alice Ruggles Trust and reiterated through the conversations that followed.

“We value the strong links we have with our neighbourhood policing team to ensure we are able to work together to support our students and the wider community. This collaboration is essential to keep our students safe along with the other networks of support available.”

Eighteen schools across the region have already signed up to the project, with 13 assemblies delivered to date. 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

ENDS

Notes to editors

National Stalking and Awareness Week 2025 runs from April 22 – 25.

For support or advice on stalking, please visit: Stalking and harassment | Northumbria Police

You can also report anonymously using Crimestoppers or visit a local police station. For those unable to contact police in this way, call 101.

In an emergency, or if a crime is taking place, always call 999.

Support agencies who work in the Northumbria area:

• Paladin: Paladin – National Stalking Advocacy Service / 020 3866 4107
• Northumbria Victim and Witness Services (NVWS): Northumbria Victim and Witness Service | Support For Victims / 08000 011 3166
• National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300
• Community Counselling Cooperative (Man’s Hour) Community Counselling Cooperative (CCC)

For further advice visit:

• Alice Ruggles Trust (ART): Alice Ruggles Trust | Putting an end to stalking
• Suzy Lamplugh Trust: Suzy Lamplugh Trust
• Protection Against Stalking: Protection Against Stalking | Look Forward Not Behind

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