Project Vigilant has seen some fantastic successes in its initial year in the North East and our partnership work won’t end there with further deployments planned during 2026 to build on the good work already carried out.

The initiative is aimed at targeting perpetrator behaviours, which are often displayed before a sexual offence, spiking or theft takes place.

The initiative is a joint effort by the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU), Cleveland Police, Durham Constabulary, Northumbria Police and all three North East Police and Crime Commissioners, who all work to ensure a safer environment for members of the public enjoying a night out.

During activity, specially trained plain-clothed officers are deployed during the Night Time Economy and identify individuals who may be displaying predatory behaviour such as harassment, loitering without reason and stalking behaviour. Those individuals are stopped by police, enquiries are carried out, dispersal orders given or where necessary arrests are made.

A total of 42% of the individuals identified and stopped by officers during the most recent deployment had previous links to offences of violence against women and girls – including domestic abuse or sexual offending.

One man was stopped and arrested who was in breach of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order and another man was found to have quantities of controlled drugs on him including two capped needles.

DCI Max Leonard, from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit, said: “We know women are taught from a young age to stay extra vigilant on a night out, but that responsibility shouldn’t be on them.

“We want to reassure all members of the public that these targeted police operations will continue to be carried out across the North East with the aim of proactively preventing violence and sexual offences against women and girls and ensuring a safer environment for all.

“Our efforts alongside our partners will not slow down, and I want to state clearly to the public that we remain committed to support the regional mission to tackle this issue. We also urge anyone with any concerns about someone’s behaviour to report it to police.”

Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey said: “It is extremely important that women and girls feel they can socialise in the evening and fully take part in the night time economy without fear of abuse or harassment.

“Operation Vigilant is just one of the measures, which PCCs and forces throughout the North East, are taking to make sure women are protected and safe from harm.”

County Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen said: “These results prove the value in tackling predatory behaviour early. Undoubtedly, the swift actions of officers have prevented harm and protected women or girls becoming victims of appalling offences – the emotional impact of which could last a lifetime.

“This operation sends a powerful message to our communities: that responsibility for sexual violence, stalking and harassment lies entirely with the perpetrator. Women have a right to enjoy our night-time economy safety and without fear. Anyone presenting a threat will continue to be actively targeted and held justly accountable for their actions.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth: “This week it’s Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week and I think it’s really important to be highlighting proactive policing efforts like Project Vigilant which involves officers working hard behind the scenes to help keep people safe on a night out.

“This activity sends a clear message that our police forces are working together, through the NEROCU, and are doing so much more than responding to crimes and supporting the vulnerable; they’re proactively looking out for those who could cause harm. The fact that 42% of those stopped have history for VAWG related offending shows our officers are recognising key behaviours and are potentially stopping crime in its tracks. The Project is achieving some great results and I will continue to monitor its impact’

Anyone who has been the victim of a sexual assault, whether recently or in the past, is encouraged to contact their local police force.

If you have information or concerns about someone’s behaviour you can report it to police or via the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A youth project in South Shields Town Centre is helping drive down anti-social behaviour (ASB), by giving young people a new place to hang out and have fun on a Friday night.

Last Friday, Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth and local councillors met with some of the project’s youth workers and the young people who have been dropping into Ocean Road Community Centre, to find out more about how the project is becoming the new place to go.

The Friday Night Project is run by South Tyneside Council, with its Business and Community Responders and its Youth Service. It is supported with funding from the PCC’s office through its ASB and serious violence initiative, Project Shield.

It sees the responders and youth workers engage with people at places like bus stops and the transport interchange, and they invite them down to the community centre as an alternative place to hang out, with plenty to keep them entertained.

By offering tasty food and good music, along with a range of activities like rock climbing and football, more and more young people are heading to the community centre to find out what it’s all about – averaging around 35 people per session.

One young person told Susan, they started coming because it’s better than being out in the cold and the food is ‘pretty good’ too. A youth worker also explained that some of the kids coming to the centre had been linked to ASB on the streets – due to boredom and lack of facilities. They said: “They are different kids in here, more respectful and engaging – even with the police. The centre changes them for the better and they get on with the youth workers – we can be someone for them to talk to or look up to outside of the family unit or school”.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth said: “Providing this space and these activities is a direct response to residents’ concerns around young people at the Interchange and in other public spaces either getting involved in ASB or at risk or becoming involved.

“Instead, we are intervening early by giving them a place to be and activities to do – that’s often all young people need – and it’s really positive to see them choosing to engage with this. It’s a win all round and really is a great piece of work helping the delivery of my plan for safer streets and stronger communities and improving feelings of safety for everyone.”

The project was piloted on Friday nights back in October and during this month ASB fell in South Shields Town Centre by 13%. It is believed this youth diversion work along with additional police and partner patrols in the area, funded through Project Shield, have helped contribute to this reduction.

This positive impact and its growing popularity has also led to the Friday Night Project becoming more than just a Friday night thing, as it now covers Thursdays and Saturdays too, and now also includes access to a large sports hall.

Cllr Jane Carter, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council with responsibility for community safety, said: “Our Friday night youth project gives young people a safe, welcoming place to spend time and try new things. Attendance has grown week-on-week and as relationships have developed, we’ve seen a real improvement in behaviour, with the young people showing greater respect for staff and the facilities.

“The sessions have been co-designed by our workers and the young people themselves, offering everything from arts and crafts to music and sports including football, dodgeball and badminton.

“The project is proving a real success story, with youth ASB in South Shields town centre reducing by 46% between October and December 2025, and we’re delighted that we’ve been able to expand it.”

As well as youth intervention work, from April 2025 to Dec 2025, South Tyneside Business and Community Response Team and local Police Neighbourhoods Team have carried out in excess of 12,000 patrol engagements with public, youths and local businesses as part of Project Shield. All this work has helped achieve a 24.6% reduction in ASB in South Shields Town Centre, including the North and South Marine Parks during this period.

The Friday Night Project is a multi-agency partnership including the Business and Community Response Team, South Tyneside Youth Service and Ocean Road Community Association (ORCA) Staff.

The project links with other services to offer additional support and education as and when appropriate such as the Violence Reduction Unit Education team, Connor Brown Trust and One punch.

ENDS

The latest data shows real impact over the last 12 months, with a 9% drop in hospital admissions caused by sharp objects, and a 4.2% drop in offences involving the possession of a weapon.

Established in 2019, the Northumbria 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 wide range of interventions have been delivered with partners to respond to local needs. These are just some of the initiatives making a difference across the region:

• Violence Reduction Education Officers delivered 654 sessions to 23,298 young people, increasing awareness of a range of topics including knife crime, county lines and online safety.
• The Violence Prevention Ambassadors e-learning programme received over 800 sign-ups, with almost 300 individuals completing all four modules, joining a growing network of informed ambassadors.
• 261 professionals received workplace domestic abuse and vulnerability awareness training, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to spot signs of harm, and support those who need it most.
• Student Support Champions provided tailored, one to one support to 117 young people, with over 86% saying their concerns were listened to, helping them to them enjoy and engage with the work.
• Through the Local Youth Fund, young people across the region secured £13,500 to lead innovative projects designed to prevent serious violence, promote positive choices, and improve local areas.
• The SAIL team in Sunderland continues to take a multi-agency approach, working with targeted cohorts to reduce offending by offering tailored support that meets individual needs. Many young people have reduced or stopped harmful behaviour through consistent guidance and trusted relationships.
• The Seasonal Violence programme, which increases activity during the popular summer and winter months, continues to see reductions in serious violence, knife crime and anti-social behaviour.

This week, partners from the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, Police, Fire and Rescue, Local Authorities, Education, and Health, came together for the first Serious Violence Reduction Board meeting of the year.

The partnership reviewed progress from the last 12 months, discussed emerging trends and new ideas, and explored how existing initiatives could be strengthened to deliver even greater impact – ensuring a joined-up approach to tackling serious violence in the year ahead.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth said: “This isn’t just about preventing violent crime, it’s about changing lives for the better. Quick fixes won’t do that, which is why we need solutions that bring 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.”

“Through the Violence Reduction Unit, 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 keep listening to what matters most to you and adapting 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: “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 our collective efforts, and together we will continue to tackle the root causes of serious violence.”

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

ENDS

SCHOOLS across Northumbria are being encouraged to plan ahead for 2026 by signing up to a specialist stalking prevention programme delivered by the Alice Ruggles Trust and commissioned by Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth.

From September 2026, updated national Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) guidance will require schools to include teaching about stalking and so the PCC is urging teachers to act now to get educational inputs in the timetable.

The Alice Ruggles Trust delivers age-appropriate assemblies that help young people recognise stalking behaviours, understand their impact, and know where to seek help. Since the programme began in Northumbria, the Trust has delivered 45 assemblies, reaching more than 3,150 students in schools across the force area.

Just before Christmas, the Government launched its new Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy detailing stalking as a key priority. This focus aligns with the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan and local VAWG strategy, all of which emphasise the need for prevention, early intervention and education — particularly among children and young people.

Recent national figures highlight why education is so important. Office for National Statistics data shows that young people aged 16–19 are the age group most likely to experience stalking, with around 8.8% reporting stalking victimisation in the last year. Within this age group, more than one in ten young women and nearly one in fifteen young men reported being stalked — a higher proportion than any older age group.

Stalking affecting young people increasingly involves online and digital behaviours, including repeated unwanted messaging, monitoring through social media, and misuse of technology such as location sharing. These behaviours can be easily minimised or misunderstood, particularly by teenagers, making education in schools a critical part of prevention.

Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “Stalking can start young and can escalate if it is not challenged early. That’s why education is one of the most effective tools we have to prevent harm before it happens. Schools play a vital role in helping children and young people understand healthy relationships, boundaries and consent — including in online spaces.

“With stalking now included in updated RSHE guidance from September 2026, I am highlighting this programme to support our schools with this and am encouraging them to plan ahead and take advantage of this programme from The Alice Ruggles Trust. Thousands of young people in Northumbria have already received this vital education, and I want to see it reach more and more.”

Lydia Bond, Community Engagement Coordinator for the Northumbria area said: “The Alice Ruggles Trust was established in Alice’s name to improve understanding of stalking through education. Our school programme helps young people recognise stalking behaviours, including those that occur online, whether they are experiencing, witnessing , or engaging in them, and to understand where to seek support.

With stalking recognised as a priority within the national Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and new RSHE requirements, this is a crucial opportunity for schools to embed specialist and evidence-based education that empowers students to challenge harmful behaviours and play a role in long-term prevention.”

The Alice Ruggles Trust was established in memory of Alice Ruggles, who was murdered by her stalker in 2016. The Trust works nationally to improve understanding of stalking and strengthen responses through education, training and awareness-raising.

Schools interested in taking part in the programme are encouraged to register their interest by emailing lydia@alicerugglestrust.org.

Ends

NORTHUMBRIA’s Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth has today launched her annual survey asking residents for their views on the part of the council tax that pays for local policing.

The PCC is committed to ensuring Northumbria Police delivers on the priorities set by the public in her Plan for Safer Streets and Stronger Communities. And so, she wants to know how much local people are prepared to contribute to help keep neighbourhoods safe, especially when financial pressures aren’t only impacting police budgets, but household finances too.

With early indications from government suggesting grant funding will fall short due to inflation, and national policy changes, the Commissioner is asking residents if they would support a small council tax increase, as they have in recent years. Residents of Northumberland and Tyne and Wear would still pay the lowest policing precept in England and Wales.

Rising costs are placing pressure on police budgets just as they are on household finances, so the PCC is asking for a precept increase of 19p per week, however this does leave a funding gap for Northumbria Police of £6.1m – a concern she is raising with Government

The PCC also needs to know, through this precept consultation, if local people would pay a little extra to retain current resourcing levels and investment in policing. This would be a precept increase of 37p per week for a Band A property.

This would help ensure vital services can continue to meet the community’s needs and help protect frontline services. Northumbria Police will also continue to invest in priorities such as further reducing anti-social behaviour, new technologies and proactively safeguarding women and girls.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “The police precept helps provide essential support for neighbourhood policing and the resources required to keep our communities safe. The budget will be tight and unfortunately there are difficult choices to be made – raising a precept being one. Just a small increase would help us to keep our heads above water whilst continuing to invest in the improvements that matter most to local people, despite these difficult financial challenges.

“Although the role of PCC is changing in 2028, right now I have a job to do — and that is to make sure Northumbria Police is properly resourced and in the best possible position to deliver for our communities. People’s views on the police part of their taxes is an essential part of this, and I recognise that while our police force is facing financial pressures, so too are many households in our area.

She continued: “We have made real progress over the last year— from faster response times to reductions in crime across all area commands. This all demonstrates the impact of sustained investment in local policing. I am determined to build on this good work but fully recognise the need for investment to help meet operational demands, boost visibility in our communities and keep delivering on the issues that matter for the people of Northumberland, Tyne, and Wear.”

Northumbria Police will continue to provide value for money, and the PCC has made it clear that any budget decisions must help protect the frontline and maintain the progress made over the last year.

Complete survey

Survey closes Monday 19 January

Statement in response to the new VAWG Strategy launched by the Home Office

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said:

“We finally have a new national strategy – one that recognises VAWG as the serious threat that it is – and crucially recognises the parts the whole of society can play to improve safety for our women and girls in the future.

“While I welcome the approach, I’m proud Northumbria is already leading the way with how we put victims first, prioritise prevention, target perpetrators early, and work hand-in-hand with partners and communities to improve response and systems. We were at the forefront of introducing domestic abuse specialists in our control rooms, have long had a specialist rape investigation unit and have a range of policing operations that seek out predatory behaviours before harm happens. All this, and more, is designed to boost victim confidence, and get ahead before the harm takes hold.

“Our own local VAWG strategy already recognises the need to tackle root causes and educate people. The issue is about so much more than enforcement – we need long-term culture change. That’s why my office has long been championing work around training, awareness campaigns and bystander education – all designed to shift attitudes and encourage reporting.

“A stand out focus of the strategy is clearly our young people – and the role of our schools. We already commission a range of educational inputs and resources working closely with partners such as the Alice Ruggles Trust and Rape Crisis Tyne and Wear and through the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit schools can sign up to the popular Pol-Ed programme designed to enhance learning around healthy relationships and the law. We support the whole school approach laid out in the strategy and as an office believe we have lots in place that can benefit local schools helping teachers tackle misogyny in the classroom. I am pleased Government is investing in this work and training to support it.

“Let’s be clear though, tackling these crimes requires more than words — it demands partnership and sustained action – and I know we are already committed to this in our region. I look forward to building on this work to make the Government’s strategy real on the ground.”