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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Knives Impact Everyone – one mum’s message to school kids as the Knife Angel comes to Sunderland this summer

Tanya and Simon Brown will be sharing their heart-breaking story of losing their son, Connor, to knife crime as part of school visits to the Knife Angel when it comes to Sunderland this June.

Plans are underway for Connor’s parents – who set up The Connor Brown Trust – to reach as many Wearside students as possible with their powerful anti-knife crime workshops. They will be pushing the region’s Knives Impact Everyone Campaign to young audiences to steer them away from ever choosing to pick up a knife.

The sessions will involve Tanya talking about what happened, how it’s changed her life forever and where people can go for help and advice if they or someone they know is carrying a knife.

A programme of youth sport and music activities is also being devised to help engage with young people around making positive choices.

The Connor Brown Trust has been working closely with Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness and Sunderland City Council to bring the powerful sculpture to the city – which will be located at Keel Square in June 2024.

During its time in the city, it is hoped it will be visited by thousands and will encourage open conversations around the dangers of carrying bladed weapons, and the potential consequences for individuals, families, and entire communities.

It is not the first time the Knife Angel has visited the region. In February 2020, the emotive figure stood tall on Gateshead’s quayside at Performance Square, outside what is now called The Glasshouse.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness said: “Anyone who has already seen the knife angel knows how powerful it is. When we brought it to Gateshead a few years ago people were really taken aback by it – it sends shivers – it really makes you think – and that’s the idea.

“It’s there to make a statement. It represents lives lost and the need for change – knife violence has to stop.

“The Connor Brown Trust do such amazing work to turning their unimaginable experience into such good. I am so grateful to them for being such a driving force for getting the Angel to Sunderland and all the educational work they’re going to be delivering alongside this.”

Tanya Brown from The Connor Brown Trust, who has just been shortlisted for the Northern Power Women Awards’ Person with Purpose award, said:

“We as a family are really looking forward to the Knife Angel’s visit to Sunderland as it gives us a chance to reflect on our own grief and loss of Connor.

“We set about bringing this project to life in the very early stages of us setting up the Trust. This was after visiting the sculpture in Middlesbrough 2019 and then being invited by Samantha’s Legacy to the official launch of the Angel in Gateshead in 2020. It is such a poignant piece that now so many can resonate with. It does leave you feeling waves of emotions that have an impact on you and that is one of the key messages we want to get out to everyone, knife crime does impact on everyone.”

Councillor Graeme Miller, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “No parent should ever have to go through what Tanya and Simon went through when they lost Connor to knife crime.

“That they have been able to channel their grief into the force for good that is the Connor Brown Trust is nothing short of remarkable. I hope that their powerful story touches the lives of all those visiting the Knife Angel and attending the workshops in Sunderland this summer.

“If this makes even one young person think twice about carrying a knife or sparks a conversation among a group of young people about the devastating consequences of knife crime, then the Knife Angel’s visit will have been well worthwhile.”

On behalf of the British Ironwork Centre, Artist Alfie Bradley created the knife angel out of blades handed in during amnesties held by police forces across the country.

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INCIDENTS of anti-social behaviour (ASB) across the Northumbria Police force area’s transport networks have dropped by 28 per cent in the past six months.

As part of the Safer Transport Northumbria Project, set up by Police Commissioner Kim McGuinness, officers have been rolling out extra patrols and working closely with the local councils and transport networks to tackle disorder and drive down metro and bus related ASB.

Other pleasing data shared by Kim McGuinness at this week’s ASB Board meeting in Sunderland came from the ASB Hotspot Response project, which ran during the summer months across the region’s transport networks. Increased patrols helped towards a 40% decrease in ASB incidents – from 1,123 in 2022 down to 669 in 2023. Early indications suggest incident figures are continuing to fall.

Through this successful funding bid and previous rounds of Safer Street funding Kim McGuinness’ office has invested in body worn cameras, extra CCTV, lighting reviews and more. This latest phase of work has focused on extra police patrols, targeted days of action at hot spot areas and the introduction of an ASB project lead to oversee delivery of work in this area.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “Transport has been a big area of investment for me.  I really want people to move around our region feeling safe and that’s why we have invested significant resource into this work. Since the beginning of these latest ASB transport patrols, there has been a 28 per cent decrease in ASB incidents across the transport system when compared to the same period in 2022. What we are doing is working and these numbers prove it.

“ASB is not low level – it can really have an impact on people’s lives and ensuring people can move throughout the region safely and comfortably must be taken seriously. It’s not just about policing though, we are working hard with others to strike a balance with this. As well as the policing response and encouraging reporting, there is a lot of work happening to tackle underlying causes and divert kids away from crime and onto better opportunities – that is important too.”

Kim added: “High visibility policing is certainly making a big difference, and this is a perfect illustration of what we could achieve if Government would give us the funding, we need to grow the force back up to the numbers we had pre-2010. If only they’d listen.”

Ensuring people feel safe on and around our public transport networks is a shared vision across local partners.

Chief Superintendent Barrie Joisce, Northumbria Police’s Anti-Social Behaviour lead, said: “These are fantastic figures and testament to the joined-up working between ourselves and our partner organisations.

“We recognise the negative impact anti-social behaviour can have on our communities and we are fully committed to building on the excellent work already under way to help ensure our transport networks are safe for all.

“As well as carrying out proactive activity to identify people responsible for such offences, where appropriate we want to divert those involved away from such behaviour to prevent incidents in the future.

“The overwhelming majority of people using public transport do so responsibly and are considerate of others and we would ask that they continue to work with us by reporting instances so that we can take action.”

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TWELVE million pounds in funding needs to be found warns Police Commissioner Kim McGuinness as she hits out at Government for always ‘falling short’ when it comes to police funding.

Kim, who is currently asking for residents’ views on local police funding says a £12.1 million gap will need plugging to offset the financial pressures faced by Northumbria Police.

She said Northumbria Police has not received extra funds to cover the impact of rising bills and finances would have to be found through savings, previous reserves and through the police precept – the part residents pay through local taxes.

If the precept is not increased this would mean a cut of around £4.2m to the force budget, and an additional £8m will need to be found to plug the £12.1m gap. Without a precept increase the Force will be unable to progress with investment in frontline policing.

This year, Government has increased the amount police and crime commissioners can raise the council tax precept by £13 per year and the Commissioner says this move is because Government knows its own funding falls short and they are forcing commissioners to pass the bill onto the tax payer.

As well as offsetting the rising costs facing the force, the commissioner has outlined plans to potentially open some closed police stations, boost frontline police resources and enhancing the force-wide motorbike ASB unit if people support a slight increase to their police precept.

The precept options to fight and prevent crime in the region.

• 72p per month increase for a Band A property – could potentially allow the reopening of some police stations following a review of the police estate. It would help boost ongoing efforts to boost officer recruitment, hire more crime investigators to tackle online crime and create a force-wide unit set up to tackle motorbike anti-social behaviour, expanding on a current trial.
• 56p per month increase for a Band A property – could potentially allow the reopening of some stations but the force would still have to make financial savings and investment in specialist frontline policing would not be possible.
• Zero increase – Northumbria Police has not received extra funds to cover the impact of rising bills. If the precept is not increased this would mean a cut of around £4.2m to the force budget.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “The funds raised through the precept help us keep the wheels on as we keep fighting crime in the shadow of austerity. There are still stark financial pressures facing the force, totalling more than £7m, due to inflation and other rising costs in the years ahead. If police precept bills are frozen it would mean another £4m of cuts facing the force. It would certainly impact plans to invest further in frontline policing, keep more stations open longer and develop specialist crime units – these are things we want to deliver.

“Asking local council taxpayers to help fund our policing is a tough ask – household finances are tight enough for so many as it is. I firmly believe Central Government should provide the funds that would prevent putting them onto the public like this. The fact Government has raised the amount we can ask for speaks volumes – they know their funding settlement doesn’t cover what we need.

“We are being forced into this, but it is the only way we can afford to deliver the things residents want to see if we aren’t given sufficient Government funding – so be it – I am having to ask. In recent years, along with the Chief Constables, we have worked hard to rebuild the frontline improve response ties, invest in technology like drones in the skies and establish specialist units to tackle crime like motorbike disorder. This has all been possible with public backing before and I don’t want this progress to fight crime in our region to stop.

“Funding gained through the police precept will help us to maintain the just, safe, and inclusive police service we need. Without this support, we fill face severe pressure on the police budget.”

Every part of the country relies on funding gathered through Council Tax payments to support their local police force. Northumbria Police is one of the forces hardest hit by the effects of Government austerity and on-going financial cost pressures, while having one of the lowest precept rates in the country. The force has lost more than 1,100 officers and £148m from its budget in the years since 2010.

Over the Christmas period the force has trialled extending opening in rural areas and reopened one station. The Commissioner would like to authorise a wider review of all stations early in 2024 and reopen some of those that were closed under Government austerity.

Local residents within the Northumbria Police force area can have their say by answering two short questions here https://bit.ly/NbriaPol24. The survey will be open until Monday 22^nd January 2024.

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