PROJECT SHIELD’ PRAISED AS SERIOUS VIOLENCE FALLS BY A QUARTER ACROSS HOTPSOT AREAS IN NORTHUMBRIA

HIGH visibility patrols rolled out through Project Shield have helped towards a significant decrease in serious violence across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, says Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth.

Police figures show serious violence has fallen by 23 per cent across hot spot areas, compared to the same period the year before. In Sunderland City Centre the fall has been 25 per cent – a welcome and reassuring reduction after the scenes of civil unrest earlier this year.

The Project Shield hotspot policing approach sees high visibility patrols and targeted activity specifically rolled out in areas of previous concern. It aims to deter crime and reassure the local community. Additional patrols and activity provide the opportunity to prevent crime and gather important intelligence.

So far this year, the project has helped deliver nearly 6000 additional hours of foot patrols in the 15 hotspot areas, working alongside Nexus, stagecoach, British Transport Police and all six local authorities in the Northumbria Police force area.

As well as law enforcement action, crime deterrence and community engagement, those involved in the project have also been coming together to focus on the root causes of serious violence and devise long term plans to help prevent it. The Northumbria Violence Reduction is also playing a key part in preventing spikes in serious violence through its Seasonal Violence Fund. This delivers projects working closely with Community Safety Partnerships, Northumbria Police and a range of youth and community organisations, in a bid to tackle serious violence together and steer young people away from criminality.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “Not only are these results really encouraging, but I am also finding people that speak to me when I’m out in these communities or attending meetings are saying the same thing – they’ve been noticing more officers and crucially, they’ve been feeling safer. When I was elected, I made a commitment to delivering safer streets and stronger communities and I am grateful to Northumbria Police and all our partners working on this project because this targeted approach is paying off – it’s stopping serious harm from happening. People need to feel safe and comfortable when they’re going about living their lives and we’re really committed to keeping the momentum up with this work to show we are listening and responding to the concerns of residents and businesses.”

Chief Superintendent Joanne Park-Simmons, of Northumbria Police, said: “These are very welcoming figures as we and our partner organisations continue to work hard to further reduce serious violence across our communities. The public and those working in businesses should rest assured that much more Project Shield activity is planned in the upcoming weeks and months to keep people safe, deter crime and positively engage with people. If you have any concerns over anti-social behaviour or crime in your area, then please do not hesitate to contact us so that we can take the appropriate action, while also further building on our intelligence picture around any issues affecting our communities.”

Cllr Kelly Chequer, Deputy Leader of Sunderland City Council, and Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Safer Communities, said: “It is a high priority for us that our residents are safe when they are out and about in the city centre, and we work closely with our partners to help everyone feel safe and reassured, so I am delighted to see the difference Project Shield is making already. It is reassuring to see some excellent early results. Our Neighbourhood Enforcement Team will continue its high visibility patrols and engagement with residents and businesses to not only tackle violent crime but also get to the bottom of the issues that cause it.”

Project Shield is a force-wide project to protect communities by tackling serious violence and antisocial behaviour in hotspot areas. Project Shield investment was secured by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria through the ASB Hotspot Response Fund and will run until March 2025.

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AS thousands of students arrive in Newcastle, Northumbria Police is ramping up patrols to help keep party-goers safe as they enjoy the city’s popular night life.

Along with partners, officers are reassuring the student community, they are on hand to help them enjoy their freshers’ nights out in safety.

High visibility patrols are in place over the next couple of weeks with additional deployments and council activity funded through the Office of Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth.

Dedicated policing operation, Operation Salus, is also underway to protect those out on the town though a range of prevention measures including CCTV surveillance and Automatic Number Plate Recognition. Background work like this helps address issues before they escalate, leaving people free to enjoy their evenings in safety.

Newcastle City Council, as the licensing authority, has also hosted joint engagement meetings with police, Newcastle and Northumbria Universities, licensees, promoters, and partner agencies to share information and guidance, and direct resources.

And the council has been working with venues to help keep their customers safe as they head out on bar crawls and socials, with community safety officers patrolling the city centre and other student areas to offer help and support to those who need it.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner also supports those who work in bars, clubs, restaurants, transport, to offer vulnerability training through its Violence Reduction Unit. Training sessions build skills and confidence and help highlight the duties involved to safeguard someone at risk of crime or victimisation whilst they’re on a night out.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “Freshers’ week is a highlight for so many coming to study in Newcastle and the safety of students and the wellbeing of the wider local community is a priority for us.

“I’ve been out speaking to young people and they’re telling me they’re noticing the policing presence and feel safe because of it. I want people to know there is a lot more activity going on behind the scenes too, training, CCTV surveillance, plain-clothed officers, number plate monitoring – it all plays a part in looking after people on their night out.

Susan added: “As Police and Crime Commissioner I get to know about all this work and as a Mum who has seen children off to university myself, I am impressed by the amount of work that goes into preparing for the arrival of students and ongoing efforts to help ensure they can enjoy our City safely.”

Chief Inspector David Wheeler, of Northumbria Police, said: “Newcastle renowned as a vibrant, welcoming and safe place for students to live and enjoy a fun night out and we are determined to keep it that way.

“We work with a range of partners, including the Police and Crime Commissioner, local authorities, businesses, licensees, door supervisors, hotel staff, street pastors and taxi drivers, so we can all come together to help keep people safe.

“We proactively police the region’s night-time economy and have both uniformed and plain-clothed officers on patrol in order to protect those who may be vulnerable and target anyone looking to commit offences.

“Anyone who has concerns while on a night out should speak to an officer on duty or contact us as soon as possible.

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

Cllr Irim Ali, Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet member for a Resilient City, said: “Newcastle is renowned for its hospitality industry and of course students of our two great universities make a massive contribution to the vibrancy of the city.

“As the licensing authority the council brings together police, universities, licensees and partners, sharing advice and information, and co-ordinating events.

“During this busy time of year we also have night marshals from our community safety team out patrolling the city centre, and other student areas, to offer help and support to those who need it.

“By working together we can make sure that everyone – including Freshers – can enjoy a safe night out.”

Vashti Hutton, Director of Student Life and Wellbeing at Northumbria University and speaking on behalf of both Universities said:

“The health and safety of our community is our number one priority, and we work actively with several partners across the city to help make this possible at this exciting time for our new students.

“We encourage all students to familiarise themselves with up-to-date guidance about keeping safe in the city, attend campus and accommodation inductions, as well as look for support from the emergency services should they need it when they exploring their new home.”

“In addition, we continue to work with Northumbria Police as part of our ‘Operation Oak’ partnership, which provides extra police officers to work in Jesmond, Heaton and Ouseburn, providing reassurance to all residents.

“This police-led initiative funded by the universities works to encourage good community relations and minimise disruption to the daily lives of all residents because of anti-social behaviour.”

PRESS RELEASE

TACKLING retail crime is set to be among a list of top priorities for Northumbria’s new Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth who this week continued her ongoing Police and Crime Plan engagement at a roundtable event with Wearside retailers.

According to Northumbria Police figures, its renewed focus on tackling retail crime has already delivered a 13% rise in positive outcomes for July 2024, compared to the same period last year. Positive outcomes include criminal charges, cautions and community resolutions.

The retail roundtable, the first in a series of open discussions with local retail professionals, was supported by Primark at Sunderland’s Bridges Shopping Centre, in the heart of the city’s shopping area.

Store managers, security guards and floor staff, from shops such as TK Maxx, ASDA, Boots, Co-op, Lidl and Greggs, as well as representatives from the Federation of Small Businesses and trade union USDAW, were all in attendance to share views, concerns, and best practice ideas to help each other.

A range of topics were covered including staff safety, police response and information sharing system challenges. Concern was also raised by the Commissioner around only 36% of incidents of violence and abuse being reported to police by retailers – a figure she wants to see change.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “Retail crime is a big problem – it’s impacting us all in terms of safety, finances, and resources. Shoplifting, threats to staff, even violence – we won’t put up with it. It’s a national problem but I want to make sure we really toughen up how we tackle the problem at a local level.

“I want to reassure retailers, their staff and also their shoppers that retail crime is going to be right there on my list of priorities as I form my new Police and Crime Plan based on what people are telling me.

“There are problems nationally with how different police and store systems talk to each other and I understand these frustrations – these problems have been here for years – and I will be feeding that back as part of my conversations with the Home Office.

“I also want to change perceptions to make sure retail staff are confident in reporting any abuse, threats, or violence, they’re subjected too – so police action can be taken, or intelligence built up. As one of the retailers said, people must always come first and our police are there to protect staff no matter what’s been stolen, how big or small.”

Susan added: “I look forward to working with our police, Sunderland’s fantastic Shopwatch initiative and other partners so we can get a grip of the problem, which will benefit us all.”

Northumbria Police highlighted some of the initiative-taking policing efforts that were having a notable impact through increased visibility and community engagement such as Project Shield, funded though Police Commissioner, Susan Dungworth’s office, and the seasonal crackdown at Christmas, Operation Kraken.

Northumbria Police Retail Crime lead, Chief Inspector Ian Blakemore, said: “As a Force, we recognise the detrimental impact that shoplifting and violence can have on businesses and our wider communities and protecting retail staff is among our priorities.
“We are very pleased with the progress made in delivering an increase in positive outcomes around shop thefts, but the public should rest assured that we will not relent in our efforts.
“Sunderland city centre has a long-standing and successful Shopwatch scheme with approximately 40 active members who regularly share information on active shoplifters.
“We would encourage other businesses in the city centre to sign up to the scheme so that we can continue to work closely with them, further improve our intelligence picture and bring more offenders to justice.
“We also have an increased police presence in the area through the Project Shield initiative, which aims to reduce anti-social behaviour, while Operation Kracken tackles seasonal retail crime in the run-up to the Christmas period.
“These programmes are vital in ensuring Sunderland city centre remains a safe, welcoming and inviting place for people to live, work and visit.
“As always, we ask that anyone who is a victim of shop theft, violence or intimidation to report it to us either via sending us a direct message on social media or using the live chat function on our website.
“Alternatively, use the ‘Report’ page of our website.
“For those unable to contact us those ways please call 101.
“In an emergency or if a crime is taking place, always ring 999.”

Kirsty Currie, Operations Manager of Sunderland’s Business Improvement District, and Chair of the city’s Shopwatch scheme, said: “I am delighted that tackling retail crime will be amongst the top priorities for the Police and Crime Commissioners new Police and Crime Plan. Sunderland Shopwatch was established in 1996 as a partnership initiative between the police, businesses and city centre partners sharing intelligence and information and adopting a problem solving approach to ensure the city centre is a safe place to do business, work, live and visit. We will continue to support the efforts of all the partners by encouraging businesses to report and enhance collaboration between businesses and the police. Only by working together can we build confidence amongst businesses, staff and visitors that retail crime, or indeed any crime, will not be tolerated and offenders will be prosecuted.

Susan’s next retail roundtable is being planned for South Shields in October where the focus will be on smaller independent retailers.

SILVERLINE Memories, a leading North East charity that supports people living with dementia and their carers is encouraging people to make sure information on vulnerable loved ones is uploaded to Northumbria’s Safe and Found Online system.

In July, Northumbria Police began using the new system as part of their searches to help locate missing people – welcomed by Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth.

On a visit to Silverline Memories in Kenton last week, the Commissioner said she hoped others would follow in Silverline’s footsteps in actively encouraging service users to sign up to the online portal, which is a digital version of the Herbert Protocol.

Northumbria Police is keen to build a large database, so details are readily available if someone goes missing. The digital version now allows the person living with the dementia, or their carer, to update a secure profile online, as opposed to a paper form or computer file.

More than 40% of the half a million people in the UK with dementia, who live in their own homes, will be reported missing at some point. With this in mind, the Commissioner said making the most of this system could be a real game-changer.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “I know what it’s like when someone you love is living with dementia. This system gives a bit of reassurance to family and friends that our police can act fast in their search should they ever go missing. It can be a real time-saver and it takes the Herbert Protocol to the next level. It ensures information is easily accessed and has proven invaluable in many cases for tracking people down and bringing them to safety. It brings great peace of mind to relatives and could save lives.”

Sandra Coulter, chief executive of Silverline Memories, that supports around 200 people from across the North East, said:

“We have been using the Herbert Protocol ever since it was introduced but there was always the challenge of keeping the information current and readily available should it be required.  I have been aware of Safe and Found online for some time and I am delighted that it has now been adopted by Northumbria Police.  It is impossible to overstate the fear and anxiety that is experienced when someone with Dementia goes missing and we are grateful to be working with Northumbria Police to raise awareness of this invaluable initiative.  The tool was designed by someone with direct experience of having a loved one with Dementia go missing and knowing how vital it is to get as much information out as possible to maximise the chance of a positive outcome.”

Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Ashurst, who heads up Northumbria Police’s Missing Persons team, said: “Taking the established Herbert Protocol onto the online platform gives us a much better chance of finding a missing person, as we can access information on them at the touch of a button if there is a protocol in place. By doing this, it gives our officers quicker and more accurate lines of investigation to follow in their searches. I would urge anyone who has friends or family who have dementia, or indeed those with dementia themselves, to sign up for this protocol online.”

The online profile can be kept up to date with recent pictures and descriptions that could be crucial in identifying the person and importantly can be accessed by police without delay and enquiries can commence to locate them.

To register for Safe and Found Online, go to https://safeandfoundonline.co.uk/register.php Safe and Found Online is fully GDPR compliant and uses two-way authentication. Those registering should remember to enter their postcode when doing so.

PRESS RELEASE

SUNDERLAND’s business and property owners who had their premises damaged or their goods stolen, might be able to access funds to help repair and recover from the unwelcome violence and disorder that targeted the city.

The Police Commissioner says many who suffered losses or damage to their cars, homes, shops or businesses know they can seek to claim compensation from their insurance companies. However, she warns many don’t know that those who do not have adequate cover in place could still be entitled to compensation through a scheme facilitated through her office, as part of the Riot Compensation Act.

Owners of buildings which suffered structural damage and tenants or occupiers which had stock or assets damaged or stolen in Sunderland City Centre can all look into making a claim if their insurance company won’t pay out or they had no cover in place.

Northumbria Police are continuing to undertake a thorough investigation into the events which took place on the evening of 2nd August in Sunderland City Centre.  Additional and new evidence is coming in all the time and, at this point, the force are not in a position to provide clear guidance as to which claims may be eligible under the Riot Compensation Scheme.

Raising awareness of the financial help available to Sunderland residents, Police Commissioner Susan Dungworth, said:

“The scenes we saw in Sunderland left our vibrant, thriving city damaged and broken. A remarkable job was done to defiantly pick the area back up again – a credit to the Council and so many local people coming together. Understandably recovery comes at a cost though, and I want those entitled to financial reparation to know that there is help available to them.”

She continued: “Those whose property or businesses who were caught up in the violent behaviour need to be ensuring they have reported the crime to the police and contacted their insurers as soon as they can and if that route isn’t possible, get in touch with my office as the Riot Compensation Act might mean we can help.

“I don’t want local communities to miss out on help they are entitled to. Anything that will help the recovery efforts and get people and their businesses back on their feet needs to be taken advantage of.”

Under the law in England and Wales, victims of criminal damage to their property and possessions during civil unrest are entitled to claim for losses, even if they are not insured or their insurance company won’t pay out.

To qualify for compensation through the compensation scheme, victims must be able to demonstrate that the damage or loss they have suffered was as a result of civil unrest.

Those who have reported damage to the police and wish to make a claim through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office can email enquiries@northumbria-pcc.gov.uk with contact details and an overview of their situation.

Home Office guidance is available here.

ENDS

Powerful awareness sessions have been developed to reach young people with the right information at the earliest point, educating them on the risks of violent disorder, rioting and joint enterprise, along with the consequences of being involved.

This follows the recent unrest that has since seen 16 charged, including a teenager, for their violent, hate-fuelled behaviour, which set out to threaten the safety and well-being of local communities.

The new packages will see the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit join forces with Northumbria Police’s Prevention Team, a critical step in preventing this behaviour by educating the next generation together.

This joint initiative, designed to educate young people aged 9 to 18 years, equips them with an understanding of the laws, impact and consequences of violent disorder, riots and joint enterprise, including how to stay safe, and make informed decisions.

Tailored to meet the needs of diverse local communities, the packages will be delivered through a variety of methods, ensuring they are accessible and impactful for everyone.

The highly trained and experienced teams from the Violence Reduction Unit and Northumbria Police are on hand to deliver the sessions, and several youth organisations have already received comprehensive materials to engage directly with the young people they work with.

With this flexible approach, it ensures that important messages reach as many young people as possible, whilst enabling conversation with their peers, as they receive the information needed to keep themselves and others safe.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth said: “The recent appalling unrest has had a devastating impact on our communities, but we have shown in our thousands that violence and hatred has no place in our villages, towns and cities. Northumbria Police have already made speedy progress in bringing those responsible to justice, but we also need to put a stop to this violent behaviour. That’s why it is incredibly important to educate our young people, making sure they have the right information at the earliest point.”

“Through the Violence Reduction Unit and Northumbria Police, we are taking proactive steps with this new programme to educate young people about the dangers of violence and disorder. But, this is not just about prevention – it’s about empowering young people to make informed decisions that will keep them safe. Together, we can build safer and stronger communities.”

Chief Superintendent Joanne Park-Simmons, who heads up Northumbria Police’s Prevention Department, said: “Prevention remains one our Force priorities and this is something we are committed to. These awareness sessions are of vital importance as we look to educate our young people and teach them of the extreme consequences of becoming involved in the kind of behaviour we unfortunately saw earlier this month.

“Together alongside the Police and Crime Commissioner, our Violence Reduction Unit and Prevention Team intend to engage with these young people, through various ways, so that they have the correct information and can make informed decisions.

“This will help in ensuring our communities continue to be the welcoming places to live, work and visit, that we know they are.”

Recently announcing a curriculum review to embed critical skills in lessons to arm children against disinformation, fake news and conspiracy theories, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said this will “give pupils the knowledge and skills they need to thrive at work and throughout life”.

Youth organisations and schools across the region are encouraged to take advantage of these new resources. For more information, or to schedule a session, please email vru@northumbria-pcc.gov.uk.

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