A Police and Crime Commissioner has warned the dire need for mental health support is outstripping the number of hospital beds available – a problem adding to growing pressures on local police resources.

Last week, Kim McGuinness joined Northumbria Police officers to see first-hand how officers respond to 999 mental health callouts, which continue to soar.

Only an hour into the shift a call came in after parents were worried their son who was hearing voices.

Police attended and were joined at the house by an on-call doctor who said the individual needs to be sectioned under Section 2 of the Mental Health Act but not only were there no beds available in the North East, there were none available in the entire country.

This, the Commissioner was told, wasn’t the first time this has happened.

She also heard about a regular caller who felt they could no longer carry on. It frequently falls on officers to attend, spend time with people in crisis and help they try access specialist support – not easy out of hours.

The Commissioner wants to reveal the true demands being placed on overstretched officers who can spend an entire shift filling the shoes of mental health specialists, as NHS and public sector organisations remain underfunded by Government.

Mental health-related incidents in the Northumbria Police force area have increased by 152% since 2017 and Kim McGuinness is calling for urgent investment in mental health services. The College of Policing also estimates police officers spend 20-40% of their time dealing with such incidents.

Everyturn Mental Health, which works on behalf of the NHS and local authorities, provides crisis services to offer practical and emotional support to anyone in mental health crisis backed the Police and Crime Commissioner’s figures and also said its ‘Together in a Crisis’ service (TIAC) has seen an increase of 109% in referrals since 2022. 

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “Police officers are being called out and are saving lives – but that’s not fighting crime. It was such a sobering and at times disturbing experience being out with officers attending to calls for concern and this is what our officers see day in day out. They’re dealing with people who need professional help, but our police so often are the first port of call and as I saw for myself – there’s nowhere for them to go.  It’s not easy and our officers are doing an amazing job but people in a mental health crisis need to be looked after by healthcare specialists. That’s why Government needs to free up pressure on our police by investing in mental health services. We can’t carry on taking the 24/7 availability of our police for granted.

“The current system is not only letting people with mental health conditions down, but also our police officers, and the safety and wellbeing of our community. Poor funding of our essential services is the problem. The mental health service has faced cuts and our police have faced drastic cuts themselves. Northumbria Police has had £148 million cut out of its budget since 2010. We’re seeing the very desperate consequences of all this now and things need to change”.

Although she said it is not a long-term solution, last month the Commissioner announced plans to work with a local charity to put specialist mental health workers into the force’s 999 call handling centres – so people can help straight away. 

Schools across the region are set to receive new guidance on how they can effectively respond to an incident should a knife or offensive weapon be brought onto school grounds.

As part of an on-going commitment to tackling knife crime and ensuring the safety of students and teachers, the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, Northumbria Police and local councils have come together to develop this vital guidance for schools.

The guidance was a welcome step at the recent Newcastle community safety meeting, and follows early work from South Tyneside Council, which has been adapted for use across the region to ensure teachers know how to respond if a bladed weapon is found on school premises.

Within the guidance, further information is provided on safely searching a young person suspected of carrying a knife, how to record the incident and when to contact the police.

The guidance also takes a preventative approach by looking to establish why an individual may be carrying a knife and if there are any underlying concerns or risks to address in order to prevent serious and violent crime.

This comes as part of the Violence Reduction Unit’s wider work to educate young people on the impact and consequences of knife crime through its dedicated education team, as well as its Student Support Champions currently working with pupils in Newcastle secondary schools.

Speaking about the new guidance for schools, Director of the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, Steven Hume said: “This comprehensive guidance provides a unified approach to addressing incidents involving knives should they be brought into schools, whilst also focusing on prevention and support for those involved. It is essential to equip schools with the tools and knowledge they need to respond to an incident if one were to occur, however no one should be feel the need to carry a knife. The roll out of the guidance is a very important step in tackling knife crime, which will see it sit alongside the wider work of the Violence Reduction Unit and our partners.”

Cllr Paula Maines, Cabinet member for a Resilient City at Newcastle City Council, said: “The safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff at schools is of paramount importance to us. The new guidance is part of our on-going commitment to tackle knife crime and ensures schools have the tools to respond to incidents in a safe and effective manner. We remain committed to working with partners to ensure our schools and communities continue to be safe places where young people can thrive and reach their full potential.”

Chief Superintendent Joanne Park-Simmons, of Northumbria Police, said: “Tackling knife crime is a priority for the Force and we all have a role to play in highlighting the devastation knife crime can cause. A huge amount of work is ongoing with partners to prevent people getting involved in this type of offending, including with schools to educate young people about the dangers of carrying weapons. As ever, we would ask families to continue having those conversations about the potentially fatal and irreversible consequences that carrying a knife can have.”

For more information, please contact the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit by email vru@northumbria-pcc.gov.uk

PRESS RELEASE

MORE than £160,000 in funding has been granted to a range of projects to improve lives in the North East thanks to Round 5 of Police Commissioner, Kim McGuinness’ Operation Payback fund.

The fund is made up of money that has been seized through successful police action across the region and is now being shared among a range of community-focused projects to help fund everything from football pitches to new security systems.

On the anniversary of the death of promising young footballer Tomasz Oleszak, who was tragically killed in a knife attack, his former club, Gateshead Cleveland Hall, have secured £3,600 to begin the development of a new 4G football pitch in his memory.

Other groups who have received funding to support new facilities, repair CCTV, roll out youth diversionary activities or kick-start community projects include: Ashington Rugby Cricket Club, High Spen Social Action, Sunderland’s Halo Project, and Holding Hands North East.

This Summer, Northumbria Police revealed that jail terms totalling more than 150 years have been handed down to criminals involved in serious and organised crime in the region in just six months. Drugs, cash, and Proceeds of Crime confiscation orders with a value of almost £1.4 million had also been obtained during this time.

It’s money from successful police action fighting crime like this that is now being reinvested into grass root causes through Operation Payback.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said:

“There’s no better use for cash seized from crime than channelling it right back into our communities – particularly areas that need it most or where we are wanting to clampdown on things like anti-social behaviour. It’s about presenting kids with the chance to do things they want to do, keeping them entertained or even making sure they are fed and feel supported in life.

“There are such worthwhile projects on the list – the new football pitch in memory of Tomasz being one of them club, this community, has been incredible in how it has come together in the aftermath of Tomasz’s death. When I was at the memorial football match for Tomasz, as well as the outpouring of grief, there was such a warm, supportive atmosphere among everyone there – so many people care and want to make a difference.

“We owe it to him, to put all our effort into stopping kids carrying knives, stopping this devastation happening again. By investing in communities and creating opportunities for local kids I really hope we can have a positive impact on young lives in the area.”

Kim added:

“There are a lot of cash strapped organisations out there and Operation Payback is stripping cash out of the hands of criminals and handing it over to so many grass root cases that matter. It’s thanks to some great police work that I am in the position to do this.

“This has been Round 5 of the fund, which since its launch has given more than £1million pounds back to local communities. This time, we really have been inundated with applications from worthwhile causes – from holiday activities for families struggling, to support work with kids already getting caught up in the criminal justice system. I only wish we could fund them all. To me it’s a clear indicator of how hard so many of our region’s youth projects and community groups are finding things at the moment. Government cuts are being made left, right and centre and yet people’s outgoings are getting higher and higher. There is a real fight for funding that should be more readily available. I’m glad Operation Payback can help some.”

Andrew Watling, Club Leader at Gateshead Cleveland Hall CA, said: “We are so grateful for the support of the PCC’s office to help provide a base for the beginning of our project.

“Losing Tomasz remains the most painful blow imaginable for a community club such as ours. He was a shining light and the nature of his death struck all of us extremely hard.

“There is no place for the carrying of knives and we can’t think of any better way to celebrate his life and his legacy than by building a new facility in his memory.

“We aim for the new pitch to be a safe space for children and young people in Gateshead to enjoy sport. It will also be a monument to his time with us and a reminder for decades to come to the local community of the futility of knife crime.”

A full list of beneficiaries throughout the Northumbria Police force area can be found HERE.

ENDS

PUBLIC transport users have been noticing a greater presence of uniformed officers across stations and stops throughout the North East, as part of Police Commissioner Kim McGuinness’ drive to cut down anti-social behaviour experienced by passengers.

To build further on her Safer Transport Northumbria project, Kim McGuinness has invested an extra £1million in ASB funding to cover high-visibility patrols and targeted intervention work, with a particular focus on the region’s transport networks.

In recent months, a programme of work to fight crime and stamp out nuisance behaviour has seen Northumbria Police officers team up with transport providers Stagecoach and Nexus to provide targeted patrols.

Other local communities that have also recently benefiting from targeted funding for a greater uniform presence on the streets include West Denton, Cramlington, Biddick Hall and Whiteleas.

ASB crackdown operations focus on increased policing presence in neighbourhoods, taking action against ASB offenders and working with local councils to tidy up communities.

The Police Commissioner has previously spoken out on how cuts to policing, public transport and councils over the last 13 years have had consequences, with rising ASB being one of them. She is now using ASB funding to help passengers feel safer when travelling, which she believes is an important step in helping the region to thrive.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “We have been rolling out more patrols and officers have been delivering focused operations in busy periods and at key interchanges and stations. It’s getting noticed too. Kids are noticing there are more officers; they’re not hanging around the same in some of their usual sports as a direct consequence. What we are doing is working.”

Kim continued: “This all helps to address people’s concerns and improve overall feelings of safety. It’s so important we get our region’s transport right and fighting and preventing crime is a key part of it.

“ASB can make victims’ lives a nightmare, causing stress, worry and despair. We know it can often be a precursor to serious crimes such as knife crime and gang activity, so this heavier policing presence must be backed up with prevention work too and we are working with youth providers to get on top of this side of things too.

“We all want to love where we live, communities that are free of crime and disorder, and I’m determined to deliver this across the force area.”

A recent Safer Communities Survey by Northumbria Police found 95 per cent of respondents feel safe in their neighbourhood, however, young people causing nuisance in public places continues to be cited as one of the top public priorities.

Chief Superintendent Barrie Joisce, of Northumbria Police, said: “We recognise that the anti-social behaviour of a minority can have a significant and detrimental impact on the communities we serve.

“Tackling anti-social behaviour is a priority for the Force and every single day our officers carry out high-visibility patrols to proactively target hotspot areas and get ahead of crime trends.

“As ever, I’d like to thank our residents, commuters and businesses for their ongoing support and I hope this investment offers further reassurance that we have listened to their concerns – and are taking robust action to address them.

“Through effective partnership working, we can continue to make people feel safe, reduce pockets of disorder and ensure anyone involved in anti-social behaviour is dealt with swiftly and effectively.”

Interim Managing Director at Nexus, Cathy Massarella, said: “Extra policing on local public transport networks is a really welcome step and builds on the many new measures we’ve already put in place.

“Customers want to see more done about anti-social behaviour and can be assured that action is being taken to provide a greater uniformed presence on board buses, Metros and at stations. Safety and security is our top priority.

“Nexus invest £1m a year on Metro police every year, and we have spent a further £2m on dedicated security teams to patrol the network at night. Over the summer we launched a new text alert system so that customers can report issues more effectively to us. By texting ‘REPORTIT’ to us on 66777 you get through to the Metro customer service desk straight away.

“We have made great progress, and efforts will continue to reduce rates of anti-social behaviour across our communities, and the public transport networks that serve them.”

ENDS

LOVED ones of Sunderland knife crime victim Connor Brown have revealed Wearside will be welcoming the return of the knife angel to the region as part of continued efforts to prevent youth violence.

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 has now been confirmed to arrive in June 2024.

Standing at 27ft tall and constructed with over 100,000 surrendered blades, it’s set to be installed at Keel Square, where it will bring people together and encourage open conversations around the dangers of carrying bladed weapons, and the potential consequences.

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 the Sage. That time another local anti-knife crime charity, Samantha’s Legacy, campaigned to get the angel to the North East and was supported by Kim McGuinness.

During the knife angel’s last visit thousands of young people visited the statue and many received a hard-hitting knife crime workshop delivered by the charity to highlight just how devastating the impacts carrying a knife can have on individuals, families, and entire communities.

Similarly, this year the Connor Brown Trust will be running various workshops – taking their important story of how Connor was tragically killed to classrooms and youth groups throughout the region.

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.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness said: “Anyone who has already seen the knife angel knows how powerful it is – so poignant and hard-hitting. It sends shivers – it really makes you think – and that’s the idea.

“For me it perfectly symbolises the social change that we’re trying to push for across the region. It’s all about encouraging the important conversations, we’re delivering the powerful sessions and we’re reaching young people everywhere we can – from billboards and bus stops to Snapchat and Tik Tok – the message is everywhere.

“Too many lives have been lost due to the needless carrying of blades and so we are determined with this, we have to be. We are using every tool and method we can to get the message through, to change ways and ultimately save lives.”

The Connor Brown Trust was set up following the tragic death of 18-year-old Connor Brown whose parents want to do all they can to help stop knife crime and prevent others from going through the life-changing heartbreak they have. Mum Tanya, who has been the driving force behind getting the angel to Sunderland, said:

“I am thrilled that the Knife Angel is coming to Sunderland. It is an amazing piece of art in itself and the facts around the structure is something that resonates with us as a family. We know how much of an impact it had when it was in our region in 2020 and so many visited the angel and had the opportunity to be part of the educational workshops. I am positive the Knife Angel will have just as much of an impact on many more young people and attract many visitors. We have plans to run an extensive educational programme with other events and activities for the month the Angel is here in our city.”

Councillor Graeme Miller, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “I’m really pleased that the Knife Angel is visiting our city for the first time. I hope it has an incredibly powerful impact on everyone who sees it during its visit to Sunderland.

“No mother should ever have to go through what Tanya went through when she lost Connor, and my heart goes out to her and to every other parent who has lost a child to knife crime.

“If the Knife Angel coming to Sunderland 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 its visit will have been well worthwhile.”

Kim McGuinness established the region’s first Violence Reduction Unit in 2019, which works with a range of partners including Northumbria Police, to combat the devastation caused by knife crime.

Artist Alfie Bradley created the knife angel out of blades handed in during amnesties held by police forces across the country.

ENDS

NORTHUMBRIA’S Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness is set to commission a full independent review of the complaint made in relation to the police investigation into the murder of Sunderland school girl Nikki Allan.

In May 2023, David Boyd, 55, was found guilty of beating seven-year-old Nikki Allan with a brick and stabbing her in a disused building in Sunderland. His conviction came after the re-opening of Northumbria Police’s investigation in 2017 – where advances in DNA testing revealed a link to Nikki Allan’s ex-neighbour, Boyd.

Northumbria Police initially prosecuted another of Nikki’s neighbours, George Heron, but he was cleared of murder in 1993. Northumbria Police has previously apologised for failures.

Kim McGuinness has previously said she can only imagine the impact the wait for justice has had on Nikki’s family and yesterday she met in person with Nikki’s mother, Sharon Henderson, to discuss her experience.

In her role as Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness is required to act as the public’s voice in policing in Northumbria and put in place the appropriate scrutiny to ensure the force is being effectively held to account.

During yesterday’s meeting with the family, Kim McGuinness said she planned to commission an independent organisation to conduct a review of any formal complaint made by the family.

The Commissioner has issued the following statement:

“More than 30 years ago, Sharon Henderson and her family suffered an incredible loss when Nikki Allan was murdered. Their long wait for justice has only compounded their pain.

“Northumbria Police has always remained committed to finding the person responsible, and officers showed that dedication when they used new forensic techniques to finally secure a conviction for Nikki Allan’s murder.

“Hard-working officers brought justice to this case. However, questions remain for Sharon and her family, including over the initial investigation. I agree that Sharon deserves answers. 

“Once the formal complaint is received from the family, I will invite an independent organisation in to review the complaint.

“A process such as this will take time, but Sharon and her family will finally get the answers they need.”

ENDS