A ground-breaking project launched last December to make Sunderland city centre safer, more attractive and more vibrant has seen an 82 per cent drop in rowdy and inconsiderate behaviour in its first year.

WINNERS ANNOUNCED as the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit awards almost £16,000 to fund projects developed by young people, in a bid to tackle violent crime and improve feelings of safety in local communities.

The Local Youth Fund provides young people with a platform to voice their ideas for projects and activities that have a benefit to them and the areas they live in.

More than 4,600 young people have already benefited from nearly £30,000 handed out in previous rounds of the fund.

This latest round will see a further 600 young people get involved in projects they have developed themselves, and thanks to this fund, their ideas will now become a reality.

With the results now in, the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit is delighted to reveal the projects receiving a share of the funding:

• Acumen Community Group will offer after-school drop in sessions, creating a safe space for young people to socialise. During this time, they plan to work on projects that increase their peers’ awareness of the dangers associated with knife crime.
• Amble Youth Project will work on improving their youth café, where young people can learn how to cook healthy meals. The group are keen for this space to provide an alternative to congregating on the streets, where they spend time with friends, and learn how to keep themselves safe.
• Escape Intervention Group have put together an activities programme for their peers, including boxing classes, paddle boarding and go-karting. With access to these new opportunities, they feel it will improve their confidence and wellbeing.
• The Chess Project will hold sessions where young people can share their views and suggestions on ASB and violent crime with the various services responsible for keeping them safe, ensuring their voice is part of all decisions made in their community.
• Throckley Youth Group will arrange a football match that brings together young people and representatives from key services, with the aim of building relationships, breaking down barriers and providing an opportunity to start having conversations on topics such as knife crime and personal safety.
• Winlaton Youth Group will create a knife crime awareness campaign aimed at young people, featuring artwork to get their attention, and encouraging them to start talking about the dangers, as well as the importance of making good choices.

Thanks to the Violence Reduction Unit working closely with NE Youth, each application to the fund has been thoroughly reviewed by a panel of 12 young people, creating an opportunity to share their experiences and unique perspectives, whilst also gaining key skills for their future.

The panel said that there had been lots of good ideas put forward, making selecting the six winning applications a difficult task, and as projects now get underway, they are looking forward to providing mentoring support to their peers.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness said: “The youth fund is one of many initiatives from the Violence Reduction Unit, that puts young people at the heart of its decision-making and gives them the chance to tell us how they think violent crime can be prevented – and they have done just that.”

“Young people often tell me that they want to be part of the solution when it comes to tackling violent crime, and this fund gives them a platform to voice their views and ideas – and I can’t think of a better way than just simply asking them what they want.”

“In previous rounds of this fund, young people have gained confidence, improved physical and mental health and got the chance to learn new skills. That’s why it makes it all the more important to keep giving them access to positive opportunities, where we can support them in making good choices.”

“I would like to thank everyone who has applied to this latest round; there have been some wonderful ideas.”

On behalf of the North East Youth Alliance, NE Youth Chief Executive Jon Niblo said: We were incredibly proud of the young people who participated in the panel discussions. They took their role and responsibilities very seriously to ensure that the funding was allocated appropriately. Well done to all successful applicants and good luck with your projects.

For more information about the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, visit the website.

ENDS

The North East is now home to a first-class facility where all victims of sexual assault and abuse can access medical, practical and emotional support, officially opened today by Northumbria’s Police Commissioner, Kim McGuinness.

The new Sexual Assault Referral Centre, or ‘The Angel Centre’ as it has been more considerately named, is a place where victims will receive initial specialist support. It is a service for anyone who has experienced rape or sexual assault in the Northumbria Police force area.

Tucked away in an unidentified location, with its own peaceful garden and easily accessible facilities, it is set to become one of the leading sites in the country.

When someone arrives at the Angel Centre, they will be offered a forensic medical examination if there is evidence to be gathered, even if they don’t want to prosecute. Samples can be stored for up to two years should they change their mind.

The opening of the new centre is as more victims are choosing to come forward. There have been 570 SARC referrals in the last year in the Northumbria force area. Service use has increased by 27 per cent since April 2022.

The centre has been developed with input from survivors who have previously accessed SARCs as well as working closely with colleagues from across the health and emergency services.

The final result is a centre which fully considers the needs of the victim from arrival at the centre through handover, examination, and aftercare, with particular care taken to avoid retraumatising the victim.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “If you’re attending a SARC, you’re likely to have just been through one of the worst experiences of your life – a truly abhorrent crime. And so, it’s imperative that for someone who has been brave enough to come through the doors of the centre, that we get everything right – the discreet comfortable environment, the specialist support and also the evidence gathering.

“There has been a great deal of thought and hard work that’s gone into ensuring the Angel Centre is somewhere survivors feel safe and comfortable as they embark on their journey to recovery. I want victims to know what to expect, what type of place and service awaits them, so they feel confident in coming forward. I want victims to know about it, know it’s one of the best of its kind and know they will be looked after here.

Kim continued: “As well as providing everything they need to cope and recover from their horrendous experience we must ensure we’re in the best position possible in terms of evidence too, should the victim choose to so seek justice and ensure whoever is responsible ends up behind bars.”

Keeley Roe, Associate Head of Healthcare, Mountain Healthcare: “The opening of The Angel SARC is not merely opening doors but an avenue for sexual assault victims in the North East to receive the free, quality and confidential care and support that they deserve. In partnership with the NHSE and Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, we are committed at Mountain Healthcare to providing the best quality healthcare and trauma-informed services to ensure equal, effective and efficient care to every patient in the North East 24/7/365. ”

Kate Davies CBE, NHS England’s National Director of Health and Justice, Armed Forces and Sexual Assault Services Commissioning, said, “Whilst I hope that no one will ever have to use a SARC, for people who have experienced recent or non-recent sexual assault and abuse or rape, these services are here for them.  It can take a lot to pick up the phone and take that first step – SARCs are available at any time of day or night, and will support individuals through the whole process, whatever they decide to do. The Angel Centre is no exception and has worked tirelessly with people who have lived experience to ensure a safe space is provided to those who need it.”

Assistant Chief Constable Alastair Simpson, of Northumbria Police, said: “As a Force, we take all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously and are absolutely committed to supporting victims and bringing offenders to justice. The Angel Centre is a fantastic facility which first and foremost provides specialist, tailored support to survivors. It is also somewhere we can secure evidence to help pursue an investigation to bring those responsible for such abhorrent offences to justice. Recognising how difficult it can be for victims to come forward, a key aim of the centre was to create a space and environment where people feel as safe and comfortable as possible. We hope that knowing that this centre exists will encourage more brave victims to take that initial step and increase their confidence in coming forward to seek support. We want our message to all victims to be a clear one – we are here for you.”

ENDS

A programme of targeted activity to prevent violent crime is underway across the region, following significant reductions of up to 37% from similar plans put in place during the summer months.

This activity resulted in areas of South Tyneside seeing the largest drop in serious violence following increased efforts to identify young people at risk, and engage them in diversionary activities to deter them from crime.

In Sunderland, additional resource provided an extra 300 hours of policing patrols to carry out dispersal orders, stop and searches and respond to safeguarding concerns to keep people safe.

Having already embedded this targeted approach in its strategy for driving down violent crime, the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit is working closely with Northumbria Police and the regions six Community Safety Partnerships, ensuring preventative measures are in place to make communities safer this winter.

The programme features a range of initiatives aimed at disrupting violent offenders and improving feelings of safety, including:

• Deploying uniformed police officers and community safety staff in targeted locations to increase visibility.
• Utilising enforcement action where needed such as arrests, dispersal orders and stop and searches.
• Taxi marshals in operation to increase public reassurance and reduce disorder.
• Diversionary activities to engage young people such as a range of sports initiatives to improve physical and mental health.

This increased action will be will be carried out throughout the winter period as everyone looks to enjoy the many events, nights out and festive celebrations that are set to take place in towns and cities across the region.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness said: “This proactive initiative allows us to get ahead of problems by identifying and engaging with those at risk of violent crime. It also places a stark warning to offenders that we will not tolerate violence – and the best thing about this approach is that we know it works.”

“We have seen the significant impact it has made over the summer, but there is still so much more to do. That’s why the Violence Reduction Unit, Northumbria Police and our partners have expanded on this crucial work, by putting together a programme of targeted activity and support in areas of most need, to drive down winter violence.”

She added: “I’ve said it before, but I will say it again, violence does not belong in our communities. So, I hope that by seeing this work in action, it will provide some reassurance that we will continue to do all we can do tackle violent crime.”

Cllr Jim Foreman, Lead Member for Housing and Community Safety, said: “This is an excellent example of partners working collaboratively, and the significant reduction in violent crime over the summer is testament to the fact that this kind of proactive, preventative approach is effective.”

“Violent crime can have a devastating impact on victims, their families and our communities. We want everyone to feel safe in our borough so will continue to work alongside our partners to protect our residents and drive down crime.”

Funded through the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit’s Seasonal Violence Fund, this approach brings together a range of key partners including police, local authorities and youth organisations, working collaboratively to tackle violent crime and create safer communities.

For more information about the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, visit the website.

ENDS

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness is calling on the help of creative kids from across the region to design her 2023 Christmas card.

Enter the competition and be in with a chance of winning a £100 voucher for your school and see your masterpiece on show at the North East’s famous gallery, The Baltic!

All school children 16 and under are welcome to submit their designs, the more the merrier!

Each entry must be sent to enquiries@northumbria-pcc.gov.uk including the name, age, address, and school, as well as a parent or guardian’s contact email.

Entries will be shortlisted to include one design from each local authority within the Northumbria Police force area. A winner will be chosen at an event taking place at the Baltic on Tuesday 19th December.

To keep up-to-date with the competition you can follow Kim on social media here.

Full Ts and Cs here.

It may look like a normal bus with normal passengers, but troublemakers beware, you could find yourself hailing a bus to the police station.

This is because Northumbria Police’s ‘Trojan’ bus – a decoy bus where the passengers are plain clothes police officers – is being deployed across the North East to take tough action at anti-social behaviour hotspots.

The policing tactic sees officers on board what appears to be a regular bus service, but it is in fact a staged service en route to pick up ASB offenders at bus stops and stations, helping officers make any necessary arrests.

Northumbria Police’s decoy bus is in conjunction with Stagecoach and the initiative uses additional funding secured through Commissioner Kim McGuinness’ Safer Transport Northumbria project which seeks to crackdown on ASB and improve people’s feelings of safety when using public transport throughout the region.

The destination of the bus will vary as it will be dispatched as a direct response following complaints from local residents or public transport users.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commission, Kim McGuinness, said: “The Trojan bus tactic is one of many strategies being used by officers to tackle ASB on and around North East buses. It’s a direct action, responding to community concerns and putting a stop to them.

“Anyone who thinks they can get away with throwing stones at vehicles, vandalising bus stops or riding motorbikes on pedestrian pathways needs to think again – this bus could be pulling up at your feet sometime soon.

“It’s early days but this bus has real potential to help crime fighting officers make any necessary arrests. Buses play such a vital role in helping our communities, getting people where they need to go, linking them with opportunities. People tell me they want public transport that’s affordable, reliable and crucially safe – this bus can really help with that part and help improve lives of those fed up with the ASB that goes on while they are waiting for a bus.

“It really is vital that we take people’s concerns around ASB seriously and that our police respond with positive and robust action to tackle the issues raised. Our Trojan bus is a great example of how we are listening, and how our police are working hard to catch those responsible and put a stop to behaviours that people understandably have had enough of in their area.”

Neighbourhood Inspector Gemma Calvert, of Northumbria Police, said: “As a Force, we recognise that the anti-social behaviour of a minority can have a significant and detrimental impact on the communities we serve – and that includes on public transport.

“The Trojan bus in South Tyneside is just one innovative way we are tackling pockets of disorder and identify those causing issues in hotspot area.

“Already we’re seeing some promising results and, together with our partners, we will continue to use every tactic at our disposal to fight crime and keep people safe.

“We would ask the public to continue to work with us, by reporting any concerns to police using the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or by calling 101.

“In an emergency, or where a crime is taking place, always dial 999.”

The ‘Trojan bus’ is a multi-agency project with OPCC, Nexus, Metro Unit, Stagecoach, Council CCTV Room, Council business responders and the Council Youth Services.

Ends.