Charity Crimestoppers has launched a new campaign appealing for information about the dangerous use of off-road motorbikes across Northumberland and Tyne & Wear.

Riding off-road motorbikes in public open spaces is illegal. They often cause significant damage by scarring green spaces, damaging property and other vehicles in the process. Riders also put themselves and other people’s lives in danger.

This new campaign, funded by the Northumbria Police & Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, encourages local communities to give information to Crimestoppers 100% anonymously, with the aim of helping to make our local streets safer.

To pass on information about the illegal use of off-road motorbikes completely anonymously, visit the Crimestoppers website (Crimestoppers-uk.org). You can fill in a safe and secure form or you can call the 24/7 UK-based Contact Centre on 0800 555 111. Young people can also report crime via the charity’s youth service website Fearless.org.

Help to keep our communities safe and tell us what you know about off-road motorbikes being used illegally. Useful information includes:
• The exact location, date and time the bike/s were seen
• Anything distinctive: colour, make, number plate details
• Where they are stored
• Who is riding them illegally and what they were wearing
• The names of those responsible for causing criminal damage or putting the public and themselves in danger.

Fleur Brown, North East Regional Manager at the charity Crimestoppers, said: “There are rising concerns over the illegal use of off-road motorbikes. Complaints often centre around these bikes being a threat to the public as they are ridden recklessly in residential areas, town centres, on pavements, green spaces as well as along beaches – with riders having no concern for their own safety or that of the public.

“Please help to keep our communities safe. Tell our charity anonymously who is involved in riding off-road bikes illegally, putting their and others’ lives at risk and damaging property and the environment. You may think that what you know is insignificant, but it may be a crucial bit of information that’s needed. Please tell us what you know and you will remain 100% anonymous.

“We understand that for many, it takes a lot of courage to go online or pick up the phone to pass on what you know. However, by taking that step of contacting Crimestoppers, you are helping to make our communities a safer place.”
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “This campaign is the latest effort in a raft of work we are delivering in the North East to crack down on motorbike related anti-social behaviour. From investing in drones in the skies to running highly successful policing operations, we are pulling out all the stops to tackle this issue head on.

“Now, with the help of Crimestoppers, we are turning efforts to asking the public for help – any information, big or small, could be crucial to catching offenders and freeing our communities of this behaviour that’s both a nuisance and incredibly dangerous. I know motorbike disorder is a real concern for some of our residents and this campaign is an opportunity for people, who perhaps don’t want to report to the police or want to remain anonymous, to come forward and do their bit to help fight and prevent this crime in their area.”

Please note: With Crimestoppers-uk.org and Fearless.org, computer IP addresses are never traced and no-one will ever know you contacted them. For telephone calls to Crimestoppers via 0800 555 111, there is no caller line display, no 1471 facility and calls have never been traced.

The need to tackle serious violence remains a key priority, with the new strategy setting out a long-term united approach to addressing the root causes of violence, and making communities safer.

With Newcastle already having seen a 1.5% reduction in serious violence over the last 12 months, and other areas starting to show signs of increases slowing down, the 5-year plan aims to continue building on the work in preventing violent crime.

Earlier this year, the introduction of the Serious Violence Duty placed an expectation for local authorities and services to work together to prevent and reduce serious violence.

This led to the development of the Northumbria Response Strategy following a series of consultations to understand local priorities around serious violence, and how it can be prevented.

Through this partnership approach, it has led to the development of five key priorities:

1. Creating stronger systems by bringing together partners from a broad range of backgrounds, and taking a public health approach to tackling serious violence, with improved services and support for communities.
2. The use of data and intelligence which is critical to understanding the nature of serious violence, enabling resources to be targeted in areas most in need of action.
3. Prevention and early intervention activity provides a greater chance of improving the lives of the most vulnerable individuals and communities, as well as reaching them at the earliest point.
4. Enforcement remains a crucial element in combatting serious violence by enabling the force to pursue, disrupt and prosecute violent offenders.
5. Supporting communities in understanding the impact and consequences of serious violence, and enabling them to be part of the solution in making local areas safer for everyone.

The strategy, approved at a recent board chaired by Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness, focuses on educating young people at the earliest point, identifying individuals causing the most disruption to local areas, reducing the risks for communities, and ensuring intensive intervention is in place to challenge and change behaviour.

Produced by a range of partners, the local plan brings together the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, Northumbria Police, Local Authorities, Fire Services, Health and Probation, all with a shared commitment to addressing the causes and impact of serious violence.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness said: “We are starting to see signs of violence levels slowing but there is still so much more to be done. This isn’t just about quick fixes – it’s about fostering long-term solutions that address the root causes of violence. We all have a crucial role to play, which is why this strategy brings together a range of partners, all with an unwavering commitment to preventing violent crime.”

“Through the Violence Reduction Unit we will continue to reach the most vulnerable individuals at the earliest point, and ensuring they have the knowledge needed to make positive choices. With a range of targeted initiatives, we will work alongside partners to identify violent offenders, engaging them in interventions to address their behaviour and prevent reoffending. However, where offenders choose not to engage, I want them to know that enforcement action will be taken.”

She added: “With this partnership approach and the priorities we have set out, we will continue to do all we can to tackle serious violence, and make communities safer.”

For more information, and to view the full Northumbria Response Strategy, visit the Violence Reduction Unit website.

A local partnership has launched a new programme supporting people in Newcastle who are worried about their behaviour towards a partner or ex-partner. 

The Make a Change programme helps people concerned that they are hurting, scaring or controlling their partner to change their behaviour. Newcastle is the latest area to roll out the service, which is already available in Durham and Sunderland. Anyone can get in touch to ask for non-judgemental, free support, for themselves or someone else. 

In Newcastle, Make a Change is provided by local charities Harbour and Changing Lives. The programme was developed by domestic abuse charities Respect and Women’s Aid Federation of England, and is funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria, in partnership with Newcastle City Council. 

Participants will be supported by Harbour’s expert support workers to understand the impact of their harmful behaviour, to make positive changes and develop healthy relationships.  

Lesley Hill, Make a Change Coordinator at Harbour, said: “This programme gives people who are worried about their behaviour a chance to get help to change as soon as possible. It’s somewhere they can learn about the effects harmful behaviour can have on the whole family and improve relationships with past, current or future partners. I’ve been part of delivering the programme in Durham and I’ve seen first-hand the difference it makes.” 

One man who completed the programme said: “Make a Change has made huge changes to me and my family’s life. It’s given me hope. I can go forward understanding my boundaries and actions and the effect that they have on the ones around me. The tools I have gained are invaluable.” 

Another central part of the programme is that partners and ex-partners of people taking part will be offered separate, confidential support by Changing Lives. This helps to identify the issues that are being experienced and improve safety and wellbeing. 

Laura McIntyre, Head of Operational Services at Changing Lives, said: “We’re excited to partner with Harbour to offer another route to support for people in Newcastle. The way that the programme helps people at an early stage will mean we can reach more people experiencing harm from a partner or ex-partner and help them make the choices that are right for them.” 

A woman whose partner completed the programme in another area said: “The most important thing was being heard. The support helped me realise how bad things had got. My support worker was absolutely wonderful and I can’t praise her enough.” 

As well as working directly with people who are worried about their behaviour, and their partners and ex-partners, Make a Change offers support to the wider community to help people who have concerns about someone else’s relationship. Local organisations and professionals can join free training to understand harmful behaviour in relationships, learn how to spot the signs and approach the issue safely and effectively. Harbour’s support services will also offer wider help and alternative programmes for people who require different or more complex support. 

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “It’s fantastic we’re bringing the Make a Change programme to Newcastle and that we’re really growing its presence here in the North East so we can improve lives. Getting in there with the right response at the earliest opportunity before someone’s harmful behaviours continue and get worse is what this support is all about.  

“It provides people causing harm with the help they need to change by recognising and understanding the extent of the damage their behaviours have on their partner or ex-partner, and not forgetting the children too. It really is about prevention. With this work comes community and staff awareness raising too so everyone can play their part in spotting signs and shining a light on harmful behaviours as soon as possible and helping make a change.” 

Cllr Paula Maines, Cabinet Member for a Resilient City, Newcastle City Council said: “I am proud that we are partnering with the Make a Change programme. It is a very positive step for Newcastle and shows our commitment to reducing the impact of people using harmful behaviour, on both adults and children, by tackling it at the root cause. This initiative is key to identifying and engaging with those individuals causing harm and helping them to understand, identify and reflect on harmful norms, behaviours and dynamics in their own lives.” 

For more information, or if you are worried about you or your partner’s behaviour and want some support, call 03000 20 25 25, email info@myharbour.org.uk or visit the Make a Change website at www.makeachange.uk.net.  

GOVERNMENT CUTS NEARLY £250,000 FROM FRONTLINE ASB FUNDS

Northumbria’s Police Commissioner Kim McGuinness has hit out after a newly announced Government anti-social behaviour fund handed to the region was revealed to be nearly £250,000 less than previous funding.

Last week, Government announced it was investing money to ‘ramp up ASB hot spot patrols’ but the Home Office has actually handed the region a budget cut after merging two pre-existing funds – one which tackles ASB, the other serious violence.

Northumbria has seen a 20% cut in ASB in just three months but now frontline projects will have to be reviewed and potentially cut back.

It’s the second cut to frontline crime-fighting projects in just three months. Last December Kim criticised the Government for the hypocrisy of announcing its own plans to tackle spiking – just after taking away £180,000 of North East Safer Streets funds that would help towards tackling that very problem.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “This new Home Office money is not a new fund at all and should not be badged as such. Government is being creative with its language and even more creative with its numbers.  Put simply, yet again the North East is walking away with less money in the pot to fight and prevent crime locally, and we’re tired of always drawing the short straw.

“Work is already planned, partner patrols are mapped out, resourcing is in place, officer overtime is scheduled, now it will be back to the drawing board for our police and partners in order to meet the new criteria that has been set out and the less money allocated to deliver it.

“When Government launched the ASB action plan they said it was about restoring people’s confidence that this behaviour is being tackled – the reality of these funding cuts surely will be zapping people’s confidence.”

Kim continued: “Every time we are onto a good thing, and we demonstrate really good work funding changes, or they pull the plug on it entirely. In just a couple of months we have had £380K stripped from successful frontline work that’s having an impact.  Our investment in the ASB hotspot work has been paying off; we need to build on this and strengthen this work preventing ASB disorder, not have funding pulled and plans restructured. We were led to believe we would get funding dependent on the success of the ASB hot spot pilot, and we have delivered. It’s a shame Government isn’t delivering its promised funding in return.

“Government needs to stop badging cuts up as new funds and actually put their money with their mouth is and get behind the good work that’s happening to prevent and fight crime in our region. Tackling ASB matters to me, it matters to local residents, but it doesn’t seem to matter to our Government.”

The new funding announced last week is in fact a merging of the ASB Action Plan Hotspot resource fund, something promised to all 43 forces, and the Grip fund given to 20 forces for tackling serious violence. These changes mean now all forces must tackle both serious violence and ASB and the ASB focussed work can only be delivered in Grip identified areas. The combined total of these two pots was nearly £250,000 more than the new fund.

NORTHUMBRIA Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, has today had financial plans agreed to hire more officers, set up a force-wide motorbike anti-social behaviour unit and potentially allow for the re-opening of some police stations.

In January, Kim McGuinness launched a public consultation where she outlined frontline investment plans for Northumbria Police – plans that would only be possible with a small rise to the precept – the part of the local tax bill that goes towards policing.

At the start of the year, the Commissioner warned that twelve million pounds in funding needed to be found by the Force due to rising costs and increasing pressures and hit out at Central Government for always ‘falling short’ when it comes to police funding, particularly for the Northumbria Police force area.

Responding to the consultation, 71% of those surveyed said they supported a rise to the precept with 62% backing a rise by the full amount of 72p a month for a Band A property. Those that chose the maximum precept increase cited that it was important that the force remained well-resourced and would not want to see policing numbers in the region even further reduced.

Many respondents also acknowledge that it should be Government who funds this increase, not taxpayers, but accepted they could afford the increase in return for improved policing response.

Backed today by members at the Northumbria Police and Crime Panel said: “Northumbria Police has not received any extra funds from Government to cover the impact of rising bills. We’re being forced to find much needed finances elsewhere, in part, by asking local residents.

“Fortunately, the majority have been supportive, acknowledging the pressures and the need for investment. I am also very understanding of those who weren’t in favour – whose family budgets are tight enough and who don’t believe money to rescue a public service should be coming from their purse. I get that completely and I wish I had more choice on the matter.”

“While I know the precept rise is right decision, it’s a decision I make reluctantly especially as so many are facing their own financial struggles, particularly in our region. At the same time, people want to see more officers out on the streets, they want more staff investigating crime, they want even more done to tackle motorbike disorder – and we now have the green light to deliver all this to help fight crime in our region.”

The precept was signed off by the Police and Crime Panel at a meeting which took place on Tuesday 6th February, 2024. The precept plans follow a three-week public consultation which included telephone surveys, postal letters and media promotion.

71% of local residents who completed the survey online, agreed that they would support an increase to offset the rising costs facing the force and prevent deeper cuts to police budgets.

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The videos reinforce the notion that if you are seen to be involved in an incident of violent crime, you could be considered as equally guilty as the person who committed it, and convicted under Joint Enterprise.

Created in collaboration with young people, the videos are the latest addition to the Violence Reduction Unit’s Knives Impact Everyone campaign, released last summer, to raise awareness of the impact and consequences of knife crime.

Set out to provide a clear understanding of Joint Enterprise and to demystify this complex topic, both videos show a group of young people describing how an incident involving a knife can have a devastating impact on so many, as well as leading to lengthy sentences for those involved.

With young people stating that they are not fully aware of Joint Enterprise, it led the Violence Reduction Unit to commission Northern Stage, a theatre production company in Newcastle, to produce the videos alongside young people.

A series of workshops took place where young people from schools in Newcastle, as well as those with lived experience, were able to provide their thoughts and views to inform the content and style of the videos.

Now available to primary and secondary school settings, the videos are a vital resource in the Violence Reduction Unit’s Education Team toolkit, where learning around the impact and consequences of knife crime, and a range of other serious violence topics, are delivered to thousands of young people all year round.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness said: “Carrying a knife is never the right choice – that’s what these videos are all about. They are a crucial resource, helping young people understand the impact and consequences of knife crime. Often, young people tell us that they don’t really understand the implications of Joint Enterprise, so education really is key here.”

“Through the Violence Reduction Unit’s dedicated education team offering a whole programme of learning activity, to videos like this made all the more powerful by hearing directly from young people, and through information provided in our Knives Impact Everyone campaign, we aim to breakdown complex topics and help young people make informed choices.”

“Sadly, our region has experienced the devastation of knife crime, but I don’t want to see another life lost to this horrific crime. That’s why through the Violence Reduction Unit, Northumbria Police and partners, we will continue to do everything we can to tackle serious violence, get ahead of issues faced by communities and educate our young people to divert them from crime.”

She added: “So, if you work with young people or feel your school could benefit from learning around topics such as knife crime, get in touch with the Violence Reduction Unit. My thanks go to everyone involved in the production of these videos, which are a very useful resource.”

Kate Denby, Executive Director at Northern Stage, said: “Our team worked closely with young people impacted by knife crime and joint enterprise, and with our partners at Meerkat Films and writer Lydia Marchant, to create these moving short films. They perfectly demonstrate the power of arts and creativity to reach young people and communicate important issues in an accessible and impactful way. Empowering young people and giving them the tools to make informed choice is central to the work of Northern Stage, and this project will, I’m sure, make a real difference to our community.”

For more information about the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit and to view the new videos, visit the website.

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