THE Knife Angel will be leaving Sunderland on Saturday following a closing ceremony on Friday 28^th June. Its departure follows a month-long visit which was teamed up with awareness raising sessions dedicated to fighting knife crime across the Northumbria Police force area.

Its visit to Keel Square in Sunderland was the result of a successful bid by the Connor Brown Trust as part of their ongoing efforts to highlight serious violence and the dangers of carrying a knife.

More than 1,000 students have been educated through thought-provoking workshops delivered by the charity, as part of school visits to see the Angel.

Simon and Tanya from The Connor Brown Trust have been at the Angel every day since its arrival on the 31^st May. They have been sharing their story to visitors, opening up about the loss of their son, Connor, due to knife crime, and the impact it has had on their family and others who have suffered such avoidable loss.

The idea to bring the Angel to Sunderland came after the couple saw the significant engagement achieved when the Angel took residency in Gateshead and Teesside.

The impressive 27-foot-tall statue is created from blades confiscated by the UK’s 43 police forces, including Northumbria Police. It is the work of artist and sculptor Alfie Bradley who was commissioned by the British Ironwork Centre as part of a series of impactful art pieces designed to address national issues.

The project has been supported by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria, Sunderland City Council and Northumbria Police.

Tanya Brown, from The Connor Brown Trust, said: “It’s been an incredible month, we have been through such a range of emotions, particularly now its time here is coming to an end. It’s meant so much to us, as a family, to have the Angel in our city in memory of Connor and the other victims lost because of knives. We’ve reached thousands of young people with the important message that knives impact everyone – victims, families, perpetrators, witnesses and the emergency services too and are grateful for all the support we have had to make all this happen. The Angel has been a powerful focal point to having such important conversations – conversations we all need to keep having – we have to get it through that there is no right time to carry a knife.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “The Angel’s time here in the city might be coming to an end but the effort and determination to continue fighting knife crime continues. Seeing the region come together this month, supporting the anti-knife message has been incredible. I can’t thank Simon and Tanya enough for their hard work and dedication to not only bringing this to the city but tirelessly working to speak with young people and get the message across through sharing their awful experience.

“No family should have to suffer what they have, and others have, and that’s why we have to put so much effort into working with young people, families, and communities so we are all in the fight against knife crime together. If we work with young people, and support them, we can reduce crime and save lives.”

Peter McIntyre, Executive Director of City Development at Sunderland City Council, said: “Tanya and Simon’s bravery and determination to channel their grief into something positive after losing Connor has been nothing short of remarkable. I have no doubt that their powerful story will have had a lasting impact on all who have heard it while the Knife Angel has been here.

“The city’s ground-breaking SAIL project has worked closely with the Connor Brown Trust in the lead up to and during the Knife Angel’s stay. This has included fundraising with the aim of creating a legacy in Connor Brown’s name, by providing Emergency Bleed Kits in Sunderland city centre.

“The Knife Angel has touched the hearts of people across the region during its time in Sunderland. And while its stay has been brief, if it has made even one young person think twice about carrying a knife or the devastating consequences of knife crime then its visit will have been well worthwhile.”

The Knife Angel’s departure ceremony will take place at City Hall 6pm on Friday 28^th June with candles being lit to remember loved ones at the Angel from 6.45pm. It will then depart the region the following day and bring to an end its stay in the North East.

More information about The Connor Brown Trust can be found here.

More information about the Angel and the British Ironwork Centre can be found here.

HARD-HITTING sessions on the impacts of knife crime are to reach thousands of young people this summer as the Knife Angel lands in Sunderland. 

Tanya and Simon Brown, from the Connor Brown Trust, have worked tirelessly on their mission to bring the powerful statue to the city and want to make sure their anti-knife message gets through to as many young people as possible. 

They’re appealing to everyone who works with those in Year 5 and beyond to book onto sessions running throughout June and warn slots are filling fast. 

The sculpture is taking pride of place in Keel Square throughout the month, and the educational workshops will be running alongside this in City Hall. Sessions available to book via The Connor Brown Trust website. 

The impressive sculpture is made with over 100,000 seized blade and was created to highlight the dangers of violent crime and the negative effects it brings to our society. 

The Connor Brown Trust works to provide youth work programmes to benefit young people and the wider community. It is hoped the powerful structure made of 100,000 surrendered blades will bring people together and encourage open conversations around the dangers of carrying bladed weapons, and the potential consequences. 

Tanya Brown, bravely tells the story of how her own son, Connor, was tragically killed as a result of knife crime as part of the impactful sessions she delivers to classrooms and youth groups. She said: “We share the tragic circumstances that led to Connor’s death in detail because it helps others understand the impact of knife crime in more depth. We feel that in being so open and honest about it is a crucial part of the workshops and we want our streets to be safe, we want young people to be safe. The knife angel represents a visual part of learning and helps to deliver the emotional impact on a bigger scale.”  

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth whose office has helped fund the initiative, said: “We’ve seen too many lives lost because of people choosing to carry knives and so the more young people we reach out to and educate about the dangers of knife crime, the better chance we have of avoiding devastating losses in the future. 

“There has been some good work happening across the region, the Violence Reduction Unit is really established now and inspirational people like Tanya and Simon are such a driving force in preventing youth violence. As the new Police and Crime Commissioner, tackling knife crime will remain a top priority – there’s lots to build on and lots more to do.” 

Chief Superintendent Joanne Park-Simmons, Northumbria Police’s knife crime lead, said: “As a Force, sadly we are only too aware of the utter devastation that knife crime can cause to so many people. A huge amount of work is ongoing to help tackle, reduce and prevent knife crime across Northumbria – through proactive activity targeting offenders as well as crucial intervention work educating young people on why they should never carry weapons. We’d like to thank Tanya and Simon for their incredible work in continuing to shine a light on this important issue among young people and our wider communities – and would encourage as many people as possible to book onto these sessions. As ever, we’d ask parents and carers to have those difficult conversations with young people about the dangers of carrying knives. By working together, we can help to keep our region safe and further reduce knife crime incidents in our communities.” 

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “The knife angel tells a stark but necessary warning around the dangers of knife crime. It is backed by families who have suffered terrible tragedy and now work tirelessly to prevent others going through their loss. I’m proud to back those families and the education work going on in schools across the North East warning young people of the all-too-real human cost involved in carrying a knife. I want to thank Tanya and Simon for all they have done here, their sheer determination to prevent tragedy, building on the work of Samantha’s Legacy and so many others who, on a daily basis, work hard to make our region safer. Anyone who saw the knife angel when we brought it to Gateshead along with Samantha’s Legacy, knows how powerful it is. It’s hard-hitting and it makes you think and that’s the whole idea. I’m looking forward to welcoming the angel to Sunderland as a way of representing the social change we’ve been pushing for across the region to end knife crime . It’s all about encouraging the important conversations – getting schools and youth groups to sign up to the sessions ran by Tanya and Simon. Listening to them speak about what happened to Connor is such a moving and impactful wake-up call for anyone who thinks carrying a knife is OK.” 

Councillor Michael Mordey, Leader of Sunderland County Council, said: “This an important part of the wider work underway across the region to make young people think twice about carrying a knife. 

“I think Tanya and Simon’s story will be incredibly powerful in getting the message across to young people about the devastating impact of knife crime and I would encourage everyone who has the chance to sign up for one of these sessions to do so.” 

Sunderland’s ground-breaking SAIL project has been working closely with the Connor Brown Trust in the lead up to the Knife Angel event. 

With a focus on education and prevention, SAIL has worked with the most at risk young people and challenged their behaviour and attitudes to violent crime through a series of themed graffiti workshops as well as this targeted intervention work. 

SAIL has also delivered knife crime workshops in schools, as part of #OpSceptre and throughout June will be involved in fundraising with the aim of creating a legacy in Connor Brown’s name, by providing Emergency Bleed Kits in Sunderland city centre. 

These sessions will centre on warning young people of the dangers as well as crucially making sure they know what to do and where to go if they need help or advice if they or someone they know is carrying a knife. 

The workshops will consist of different activities and educational sessions to suit a range of ages from primary school, to secondary school aged children. Youth groups and clubs are also encouraged to sign up. Sessions are 90 minutes in length and are limited to 45 people per session including accompanying adults. www.connorbrowntrust.com 

SUSAN Dungworth, the newly-elected Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria, has said her priority is clear – safer streets and stronger communities.

At a meeting with the Chief Constable on her first official day in the job, Susan said she wanted to build a bigger policing presence and vowed to champion local communities to ensure neighbourhood policing best meets their needs.

As a former youth justice worker and councillor, with decades of experience representing people and developing policy, she said she knows the issues people face and will do all she can to fight for people’s right to feel safe.

Police and crime commissioners are elected to represent the public on policing matters and hold their local force to account.

Susan Dungworth was elected at the count which took place in Sunderland on Thursday 2^nd May, 2024. She is replacing Kim McGuinness who has held the post for five years, after being elected in the Northumbria force by-election in July 2019.

Susan’s first day in the office was Thursday 9^th May and she began her day meeting Chief Constable, Vanessa Jardine, and setting out her vision for a bigger policing presence and outlined the following priorities:

1. Reduce serious and violent crime
2. Tackle anti-social behaviour
3. Strengthen neighbourhood policing
4. Communicate with and listen to you
5. Fight for properly funded police and public services

New Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “I have spent my life fighting for our communities and by taking on this role my fight is really stepping up a gear. I have been out there, speaking to people on their doorsteps for decades and I know the issues they have and the concerns they have. And so, my offer to people is clear – I’ll do everything I can to make our streets safer and our communities stronger.

“I moved up here in the eighties and have never left. I chose to raise my family here because of the community spirit and the people, and I want to make sure everyone else who chooses to work, live or visit here feels safe, protected and supported. Good neighbourhood policing is key to this.

“Over the next few weeks, I’ll be listening, and I’ll be learning – what needs are being met and what aren’t. Consulting with the public and those we work with; I will then develop a plan that builds on existing success and sets out new ways to tackle the challenges and push Northumbria Police to be the best it can be.

“I already have a lot of respect for our police force, I know how hard officers, staff and volunteers all work despite what feels like never ending budget pressures at the hands of Government. Over the years, locally a lot has been done to fight and prevent crime as well as supporting victims, but there is so much more left to do and we need to keep bettering ourselves. Community policing must reflect current needs. I am grateful to those who voted and put their trust and confidence in me to take what is a big task on. I now want to get going so together with the Chief Constable we can deliver safer streets and stronger communities for everyone in our area.”

Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said: “I look forward to working with Susan to help ensure we can continue to keep our communities safe and be there when people need us.

“As a Force, we are absolutely determined to provide an outstanding service and I know this is a vision the Police and Crime Commissioner fully supports.”

SUSAN DUNGWORTH has been elected as Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria in the 2024 local election on Thursday 2^nd May.

There were four candidates vying for the role and Susan, the former leader of Northumberland Labour, was announced as the winner at the count which took place in Sunderland.

She will replace Kim McGuinness who has held the post for five years, after being elected in the Northumbria force by-election in July 2019.

The local authorities taking part in the Northumbria election area are: Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside. Northumberland, South Tyneside, and Sunderland.

PCCs aim to cut crime and deliver an effective and efficient police service within their police force area. They are elected by the public to hold Chief Constables and the force to account, making the police answerable to the communities they serve.

Susan’s manifesto commits to ‘Safer Streets and Stronger Communities’. The priorities she cites include reducing serious and violent crime, tackling ASB and a focus on neighbourhood policing.

Information about all the votes cast including local breakdown of results can be found here HERE.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner is now in the pre-election period ahead of the PCC elections on 2nd May.

The pre-election period describes the period immediately before elections or referendums when specific restrictions on communications activity are in place for public bodies and their staff in order not to unfairly influence the outcome of an election.

To ensure fairness amongst candidates, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) is restricted in making public announcements in the run up to the vote.

Any news items or photographs published on this website and our social media channels before 21st March relate to the serving PCC, Kim McGuinness.

References to the serving PCC have been retained on the OPCC website where they are valid and current. This does not imply that the Office supports any particular candidate in the election on 2nd May.

The OPCC does not support any political party and cannot endorse any of the candidates in the election.

We will treat all PCC candidates objectively and equally and will make due preparations to ensure that the OPCC is able to provide support to the elected candidate in time for the term of office which commences seven days after the election.

To vote in the PCC elections, you must be over 18 and registered to vote.

Find out more information about the PCC Elections 2024.

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.