A project making a significant impact on anti-social behaviour and serious violence has delivered further crime reduction in key areas, says Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth.

Speaking at the Northumbria Police and Crime Panel in Gateshead today, the PCC shared welcome news that rolling figures from the latest quarter show a 17% fall in ASB, 20% reduction in serious violence and a 50% reduction in knife crime – in the areas covered by the project.

Project Shield was launched last summer by PCC Dungworth, along with Northumbria Police and partners from all six local authorities and the region’s transport network. It was set up to bring the region together in tackling crime and ASB in identified areas.

The latest quarter, which covered the period from October 1^st to December 31stof last year delivered more than 8,000 additional police and partner patrol hours and 81 stop and searches were carried out. This resulted in 52 arrests made and six weapons seized – just through Project Shield patrols alone.

The increased visibility and engagement have received widespread praise among residents, councillors and businesses, who have said the project has helped grow confidence and created more engagement opportunities for local people to report their concerns.

Project Shield activity includes stop and search operations, weapon sweeps, community engagement events, as well as robust action to catch known offenders in hotspot areas.

Alongside this The Violence Reduction Unit and partners are also taking a public health approach to tackling serious violence by engaging vulnerable individuals in targeted initiatives, and ensuring they have the support they need to divert them from crime.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said:

“Project Shield and its partnership approach to hotspot policing is certainly playing a key part in driving down incidents of ASB and serious violence in areas of concern. It’s really boosted officer visibility and created a sense of togetherness among all those working hard for our communities.

“Residents have seen the impact this work is having, and they want more of it. We are hopeful of further Government funding to help us do just that and support Government’s national ambitions of halving knife crime in a decade. As PCC, I have set out a clear plan for delivering safer streets and stronger communities and I recognise the targeted approach of Project Shield can really play a valuable role in helping achieve this, as these latest figures show.”

Chief Superintendent Barrie Joisce, Northumbria Police’s Lead for Anti-Social Behaviour, said: “This is a great result for the project, and everyone involved – and demonstrates just how effective partnership working can be. We are committed as a Force to tackling issues that matter most to the communities we serve. Anti-social behaviour can have a significant negative impact on people’s lives and businesses. Through Project Shield, we have been able to locate areas where ASB is prevalent quicker so we can allocate the necessary resources and apprehend offenders.”

He added: “It is important, however, that we continue this good work and maintain the relationships we have worked so hard to build within the community. As always, we rely on the assistance of you, the public, to be our eyes and ears in reporting this type of crime to us. If you have witnessed ASB activity in your area, do not hesitate to contact us so that we can take the appropriate action. Send us a direct message on social media, use the live chat on our website or go to the report forms, which are also on our website. Alternatively, if you’re unable to contact us via those ways, call 101.n an emergency, or if a crime is taking place, always call 999.”

HELPING ex-offenders is not always a popular cause, but if we don’t support prisoners on their release, they may soon be back inside leaving more victims behind – says Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth.

Her comments were made during a visit to HMP Northumberland where she met with prison officials and colleagues from Nepacs, a North of England charity supporting those affected by the criminal justice and care systems including families, young people, children and prisoners.

Discussions focussed on the systems in place to support prisoners both before and following their release to help them live a life free from crime on the outside, and break the cycle of re-offending. Adults released from custody after serving less than 12 months have a re-offending rate of 56.9% and an overall re-offending rate after leaving custody of 33.8%. The numbers are showing a year on year increase.

Nepacs are a key provider of this support and run initiatives such as the Re:settle project and departure lounges which provide guidance and practical information to support prisoners and their families during what can be a challenging period of adjustment.

Whilst on site, the Commissioner had a tour of the prison’s newest House Block, Alnwick House – which provides rehabilitative accommodation supporting residents with the transition to life outside, for those nearing the end of their sentence.

Near to this site, prisoners have access to a wide range of training and employment opportunities which are part of the prison’s focus on providing a real working environment.  The aim is to equip offenders with skills and experiences that will lead to improved employment opportunities on release and reduce re-offending.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said:

“I was impressed with how well the police, HMP Northumberland and the fantastic Nepacs team are working together already, but we all know more needs to be done, and more funding is needed, particularly following the previous Government’s austerity measures and prison underfunding.

“For me, the visit highlighted the difficulties faced by prison leavers when they’re released – and there is a real gap in funding for this. The North East is lucky to have the charity Nepacs working hard to plug this gap and fulfil this need.

“Our police are totally committed to catching criminals and getting them before the courts to seek justice for victims, but once they’ve served their sentence time, they need to have a plan. If an offender is released and wants to turn their life around – we need to support this – if they don’t have a roof over their head, a job to go to, it’s likely they’ll turn to crime once again.

The Commissioner added: “Prioritising victims and justice is a feature in my new Police and Crime Plan and reducing re-offending is a key part of this. If we are going to deliver safer streets and stronger communities, we have to give people in the criminal justice system the opportunity to change and help with housing, employment and health needs to rebuild their lives. Doing this brings benefits to the whole of society.”

Suzanne Henderson, Head of Reducing Reoffending at HMP Northumberland, said: “The prisoners and staff at HMP Northumberland were pleased to showcase and discuss the work both the prison and Nepacs do regarding prisoner’s families. The importance of having strong family ties while in our care cannot be underestimated. With the support of prisoner’s families and significant others, upon release, they are far less likely to reoffend while being integrated back into the community.

Not only do we recognise the importance of maintaining family ties for prisoners’ rehabilitation, but also for the families who often experience loss when their partners, parents, grandparents start a custodial sentence.  It is also important to acknowledge the impact on those who do not have family. We are equally committed to supporting prisoners who do not receive visits or contact from family by exploring support from the wider prison teams and community organisations.”

Amanda Lacey, Chief Executive Officer at Nepacs, said: “We were delighted to welcome Susan Dungworth, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner to meet our team at HMP Northumberland and to hear about the vital support we provide to those who come into prison, their children and families. Our staff and volunteers ensure that anyone impacted by imprisonment can receive the support and information they need to help them navigate the justice system. The impact of imprisonment on children and families can be particularly devastating which is why we feel it is important to support them every step of their journey and why funding for this type of work is so essential.  This includes ensuring those being released and their loved ones are supported when they leave prison and know where to go for help, maximising the chances of successful rehabilitation and ultimately reducing crime.”

ENDS

EQUALITY and anti-hate rehabilitation workshops aimed at women caught up in the civil disorder that shook the North East last summer, are to be rolled out across the force area thanks to a new funding initiative introduced by Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth.

Although men dominated the scenes of civil disorder in Sunderland, and elsewhere in the country, there were women involved too, committing acts of violence and spreading hate online.

In response, Sunderland’s award-winning social enterprise organisation, Media Savvy CIC is collaborating with Changing Lives and Northumbria Justice Services to work with 100 women who are currently under probation supervision or out of court resolutions.

The bespoke sessions will cover the importance of equality and diversity, challenging stereotypes, recognising misinformation, and how to be an ‘upstander’ against discrimination.

Announced today, Media Savvy is one of 44 organisations set to benefit from the Commissioner’s £150K funding pot. Money has been awarded to a mix of youth clubs, community groups, arts projects and victim support services across Tyne and Wear and Northumberland.

The fund was set up following discussions with faith and community leaders from across the region and aims to promote community cohesion and support those affected by hate crime and anti-social behaviour. Successful bids ensure geographical coverage across the whole police force area and will deliver a range of support and preventative initiatives.

Examples of other groups set to benefit from the Commissioner’s Community Fund include:

• Gateshead – The Comfrey Project – activities delivered by asylum seekers to help integration into the community
• North Tyneside – LD North Tyneside– hate crime workshops for people with disabilities to help improve reporting
• Newcastle – Company of Others – community cohesion events to build confidence following last summer’s disorder
• Northumberland – Beyond Youth – youth diversionary activity in ASB hotspot area
• South Tyneside – Al Azhar Mosque – educational sessions to inform around cultural awareness, respect and community cohesion

Speaking on a visit to Media Savvy, based in Sunderland City Centre, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “I want Northumbria to be a place where everyone is welcome, and everyone can thrive, and that’s why I’ve made community cohesion and tackling hate crime a top priority in my new Police and Crime Plan.

“We can’t just push the events of last summer under the carpet without looking at why they happened. If anything, the unrest showed that more needs to be done to understand community tensions and challenge the ideologies and beliefs some might have about others – different backgrounds and cultures and so on.

“How Sunderland showed community spirit and strength in the aftermath of the violence and how thousands came together in Newcastle to prevent violent protests spreading to their city – these really were things to be proud of.

“But we don’t want a repeat of last August again. There is a real job to do, educating people on the consequences of their hateful behaviour and online abuse – and this project from Media Savvy is designed to do just that. It’s exactly the type of positive project I wanted my new fund to support.”

Congratulating the successful bids made to the Commissioner’s Community Fund, Susan added, “We were inundated with applications, and I wish I had been able to fund them all. What really came through, with the applications, was how proud people are of their hometowns and their communities and there is a real determination to work together to achieve safer streets and stronger communities for everyone.”

Dan Makaveli, managing director of Media Savvy which has been awarded £5K through the Commissioner’s Community Fund said:

“We are delighted with the award, which will enable us to proceed with a hugely relevant, worthwhile and hopefully highly impactful project. The funding also enables us to reconnect with Changing Lives; an organisation with whom we have enjoyed over a decade of positive partnership working. We are hopeful the outcomes and evidence of this might act as a pilot for longer-term and even more expansive projects in this subject area.”

Lisa Boyack, Strategic Criminal Justice Business Development Manager at Changing Lives, said: “Changing Lives are thrilled to be working with Northumbria Police Crime Commissioner and Media Savvy on this much needed project.   We hope that by working with the women to make better informed choices this project will make a real difference to local communities,  the women who participate and those around them.”

Police Commissioner Susan Dungworth has made hate crime and community cohesion a top priority for Northumbria Police to deliver on in her new ‘Safer Streets, Stronger Communities’ Police and Crime Plan. She has outlined plans to measure progress in this area by closely monitoring hate crime offences and satisfactions levels with services provided to victims of hate crime.

A full list of beneficiaries will be made available here.

EXTRA police and community safety officers will be riding the rails and standing at stations across the Northumbria Police force area this half term, in a bid to help tackle anti-social behaviour and serious violence.

The school holidays can be a busy time for the police and transport partners. The region’s transport network is well-used linking up friends and connecting families to key attractions like the coast, Eldon Square and the Metro Centre.

To help prevent crime and nuisance behaviours, the Project Shield initiative, funded through Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth’s office is delivering additional patrols throughout the week to increase visibility, promote engagement and deal with any required law enforcement.

It means public transport users can expect to see more Northumbria Police officers and staff from British Transport Police, Nexus and Stagecoach on patrols across the network, especially in the evenings, to help crackdown on anti-social behaviour and ensure safer journeys for everyone.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “Since its launch, Project Shield is having a real impact driving down ASB down in target areas and building community confidence – and the transport network is a key focus area for us.

“A greater policing presence over half term reassures people travelling on our public transport and means there is more resource on hand to deter nuisance behaviours and also catch those responsible for causing misery and harm in our communities too.

“Across the transport network, there is a really positive partnership approach and on the whole, we have a safe transport system, but we need to keep working hard to reduce crime and put a stop to low level disorder and as we have seen before, Project Shield makes a real difference.”

Chief Superintendent Joanne Park-Simmons, of Northumbria Police, said: “As a Force, we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour or serious violence at any time of the year in our communities.

“Alongside our partnership organisations, we are making significant inroads in tackling this kind of criminality through Project Shield, while also engaging with members of the public to offer reassurance and act upon their concerns around crime and ASB.
“We want everyone enjoying their time off this half term to do so safely and ask that anyone who does notice any anti-social behaviour to please contact us so we can take the necessary action to address it.”

British Transport Police Inspector Mary-Anne Snowden said: “Project Shield continues to be a great opportunity for us to work with policing and transport partners to help keep the railway safe.

“The safety of the public is our number one priority and initiatives like this help reassure passengers and offer us the opportunity to engage with them about any concerns they may have.

“We continue to increase high-visibility patrols in hotspot areas to detect and deter crime and encourage the public to report any crimes or concerns on  the rail network to us by calling 0800 405040, and to save our discreet text-to-report number 61016 just in case they need us.”

ENDS

SAFER streets and stronger communities – that’s the ambition of Susan Dungworth, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, as she unveils a new Police and Crime Plan for the area.

Reflecting the thoughts and views of local residents, partners, criminal justice agencies and victims of crime – six fresh new policing and community safety priorities have been set by the PCC, who was elected to the role last May.

The priorities of the Plan focus on the key areas the force will be expected to deliver on – issues that matter to local people, alongside other national policing requirements.

The plan also forms the basis of how the PCC will hold the force to account, on behalf of the public, and outlines how progress will be monitored and shared.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said:

“I want Northumbria Police to be there when you need them, fighting crime and getting offenders before the courts. I also want our victims to be the most supported as they cope and recover from their experience and navigate the criminal justice system. Ultimately though, my aim is to have less crime in the first place, and therefore, fewer victims needing support. With this in mind, my plan is also about identifying the causes of crime so we can prevent it from happening at all.

“Writing this plan, have had the opportunity to champion so many voices. Conversations on the Metro, emails into my office, responses on my Instagram or participation at roundtable events – I’ve listened and it’s all been fed into this document. In fact, my consultation received more responses than any other consultation ran by the office, and so I am grateful to all who have engaged with me. It’s really been a joint effort and has helped me form a collective vision for delivering safer streets and stronger communities for everyone who calls Northumbria home.”

Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said: “I am immensely privileged to serve as the Chief Constable for Northumbria Police, leading a Force that is committed to keeping you safe and fighting crime in this fantastic region. The Police and Crime Plan aligns with our priorities and supports our commitment to you. As a Force, we have three very clear objectives. This includes the absolute fundamental of being there when you need us. We also have a clear focus on prevention – this is key to everything we do. If we can help prevent you from becoming a victim of crime – or stop someone becoming involved in such activity that is a positive outcome for all. Finally, we want to provide you with an outstanding service. We will do this by providing the right response, investigating crime and effectively tackling the issues which matter most to you.”

You can view the plan below:

Police & Crime Plan 25-29

Police & Crime Plan 25-29 on a page

Police & Crime Plan 25-29 Easy Read