£177,000 worth of money that crime fighting officers have seized from drug dealers, human traffickers and thieves, will be used to benefit grass root causes, as part of the latest round of Kim McGuinness’ Operation Payback fund.

The fund uses monies obtained through the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA). Last month a £19,608 confiscation order was made by Northumbria Police, following a successful conviction for weapon offences and money laundering.

Meanwhile in Sunderland, cash and assets with a total value of £57,685 were seized by officers when a man was arrested for drug possession with intent to supply, as well as kidnap. The offender is now serving time in a prison in Belgium.

These money will now go into the Operation Payback funding pot and the Commissioner’s plan is to invest it in game changing ideas to give local kids opportunities and keep them out of trouble both during school holidays and throughout the year.

Youth clubs, sports teams, community hubs and schools are the types of organisations that the Northumbria Police Commissioner wants to help with much needed cash.

The Commissioner’s plan is focused on getting money back into the right hands – the hands of those who are improving lives and preventing crime in their local neighbourhoods. She will be welcoming applications from December 1.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “There have been some fantastic results by Northumbria Police lately – lots of arrests and lots of money has been taken back and out of the wrong hands.

“There’s no better use for cash seized from crime than channelling it right back into our communities – to help prevent more crime. Yes, our police know local ASB hotspots and are busy planning extra patrols and crackdown operations, particularly in our open spaces and on public transport, but if we are going to curb the number of incidents, I want to throw everything at helping young people access the alternative – let’s prevent crime in the first place.

“To do this I want to see real action and activities that kids want and benefit from and that in turn, will keep them out of trouble.”

She added: “The ‘Cost of Living’ crisis is hitting far too many people, particularly in our region, and not everyone can afford to keep kids busy. So, this is me asking young people and asking communities – what do they want to have on offer on their doorstep, to help keep them entertained.

“And this isn’t all about the kids,” she continued. “This helps improve the quality of life for everyone in our communities and reduces the number of victims. People tell me they feel intimidated by groups of youths gathering at the Metro or vandalising their local park. I want to give kids a far more attractive way to spend their time, exploring their talents – boxing, dance, football, music – you tell me.”

Detective Chief Inspector Caroline Ord, of Northumbria Police, said: “We have already seen so many fantastic community projects and groups grow and help others thanks to Operation Payback – and thankfully the work isn’t stopping there.

“Work will continue on all sides to disrupt and dismantle organised crime and those profiting of their criminal actions, with the money seized being invested back into the amazing communities we serve.

“To be able to support organisations doing such good work with money funded from the proceeds of crime is fantastic- taking the money out of the hands of criminals and investing it back into the communities these crimes have impacted.”

The fund will open on 1st December 2022 and Close on 15th January 2023 and full details will be available on the Police Commissioner’s website.

Operation Payback is part of a much wider of action happening across the Northumbria Police force area as part of plans to tackle issues like ASB and knife crime.

The aim of the fund is to support the work of Northumbria Police and help prevent crime and anti-social behaviour, which will in turn improve lives for local people.

Apply here:

Operation Payback

In a bid to put an end to violent crime, Sunderland City Centre will become the first to benefit from a new team clamping down on known offenders, thanks to funding from the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit.  

This comes as a last chance for those causing significant harm in the city centre, where anti-social behaviour has escalated into violent crime.  

The team have hit the ground running with the first cohort of young people identified, including those who have been attributing to the rise in serious violence in the city centre, leaving a negative impact on residents, businesses and communities.  

Those identified will receive intensive intervention from the violence reduction team to deter them from crime, and where they do not engage, a range of enforcement actions will be taken, along with the support of uniformed officers, to provide some much needed respite for the city.   

Based at a city centre location, the new team will disrupt violent crime by bringing together dedicated officers from Northumbria Police, Sunderland City Council ASB officers, neighbourhood wardens, and key specialists for drugs and alcohol as well as environmental services. 

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness said: “Our city centres are something to be proud of, they offer us everything we need on our doorstep. But, we also want them to be a safe place to live, work and visit – there is no place for violent crime. This new initiative, funded by the Violence Reduction Unit, offers a last chance opportunity for individuals causing serious harm in the city centre, and our message to them is clear – engage or there will be significant consequences.” 

She added: “We all have a right to feel safe, and I hope that this increased action and presence in the area will provide some reassurance to residents and businesses that we will continue to do all we can to prevent crime from happening.” 

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

ENDS 

Vanessa Jardine is set to lead Northumbria Police’s fight against crime in Spring 2023. She is currently Deputy Chief Constable at West Midlands Police and will take up her new post following confirmation by a special Police and Crime Panel on December 13^th.

Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner picked Vanessa as the officer to replace Winton Keenen after hearing how the highly experienced police officer intends to deliver on plans to fight and prevent crime across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear.

Kim said: “When I speak to the public they tell me they want to see a force that can fight crime and prevent crime, and I am confident that Vanessa is the ideal person to continue Northumbria Police’s great work towards that aim.

“Our region is a safe one but crime is constantly evolving and we need to be ready for the challenges that brings.

“That’s why I’m delighted to have an officer with Vanessa’s vast experience joining our force.

“Our region faces great challenges in the years ahead, with economic hardship, austerity and the ongoing cost of living crisis set to push more families into difficulties and more young people put at risk of gangs and criminality.

“I know Vanessa is geared up for this challenge and I look forward to working with her on securing a great future for our region.”

Vanessa has been a police officer for over 28 years. Before joining West Midlands Police she worked at Greater Manchester Police where she served as a detective at every rank and the head of Public Protection. She was the force lead for domestic abuse, child protection and child sexual exploitation.

Vanessa was appointed from a shortlist of three following interviews held on December 2^nd.

The interview process itself was spread over two days, where all three candidates presented to stakeholders and staff panels and were then questioned by them on the first day, before then being interviewed by the Commissioner’s selection panel on the second day.

Winton Keenen will remain as chief constable in the interim period while Vanessa prepares to take up post.

STUDENT Support champions will be on hand in schools across Newcastle, as Police Commissioner Kim McGuinness funds a new Violence Reduction Unit initiative in a bid to drive down youth violence and knife crime across the region.

The new project launches following what has been a tragic few months for Tyneside, where the lives of two 14 year olds have been unnecessarily cut short as a result of youth violence.

Now, as part of major plans from the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, eight secondary schools will become the first to benefit from having student champions on hand to offer support on local youth violence issues.

As well as working with young people, including those believed to be at risk or involved in violent crime, the student champions will work closely with schools, police, council and community services, to prevent crime from happening.

The champions will be working with individuals and small groups, with the focus of the new roles being on building trusted relationships to encourage young people to seek support.

Young people will also take part in educational sessions covering the dangers of knife crime, how to keep themselves safe, and the consequences of violent crime.

The project aims to improve school attendance and behaviour, reduce suspensions and exclusions, strengthen community links and prevent serious youth violence.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness said “Education is a key component in our fight against crime, that’s why it’s so important to engage young people at the earliest opportunity. The Violence Reduction Unit is committed to stopping the cycle of criminality and already has a dedicated team delivering vital awareness sessions to schools and community groups all year round, but this new project will take it a step further by giving young people access to a trusted adult in their own school, on a regular basis. The team will be able to identify young people in need of support, work with them to understand their needs and refer them to services and interventions to provide help for them and their families.”

She added, “By giving young people access to information, support and opportunities, we can improve their lives, enable them to have positive aspirations for the future and divert them from a life of crime.”

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

POLICE Commissioner Kim McGuinness has warned difficult choices will have to be made unless the Government addresses a national funding shortfall in policing.

Inflation and staff pay costs will see Northumbria Police face at least £6.5m of efficiency savings next year, the Police Commissioner has revealed.

The current inflationary rises in costs are causing significant budget pressures across UK policing, in particular the increase in utility and fuel costs to local police stations, custody suites and vehicles. Northumbria Police covers an area of more than 2,000 square miles and consequently is required to operate from a significant number of different buildings and use more than 1.3m litres of fuel annually, in order to protect the public.

The cost-of-living crisis and inflationary rises are also impacting contracted services provided to the police.  In some cases, suppliers are either withdrawing from providing services or not re-tendering, resulting in disruptions to service and additional cost pressures on police resources.

Of the ‘more than £6m in extra costs’ facing the force, around two thirds are as a direct result of inflation – on top of an inflation bill of £2.2m already budgeted for this financial year.

As well as inflation the force is preparing for the cost of the reopening of pay talks, after the previous Home Secretary awarded police officers a higher pay rise than police staff.

Police Commissioner Kim McGuinness has already called on the new Home Secretary to provide additional funding to vital public services, such as the police, in order to prevent households being hit with higher council tax and policing bills.

She said: “The North urgently needs a fair funding settlement from Government. Whether it’s councils or police or fire services, the Government seems intent to push the bill on to local taxpayers.

“In the Northumbria force area, we are still suffering the fall out of the first round of austerity – when the Government cut 1,100 of our police officers. While forces down south have had their axed officer numbers fully replaced, we have been told to make do with less.

“Now we ‘re looking at an inflation hit that makes it even harder to keep our region safe.

“I have written to the Home Secretary urging her to fully fund local policing and fill the inflation budget gap. It is vital that Suella Braverman does more than just talk tough on crime; the Home Secretary has to hand the North the money it needs to fight crime.”

Plans to meet the efficiency savings will be outlined later in the year but the Force will maintain its commitment to officer uplift.

Working hard to keep our communities on the right track.

Dedicated officers have stepped up their activity to tackle antisocial behaviour and disorder across our town centres and transport hubs – with help from their partners.

On Friday, uniformed officers from Northumbria Police’s Neighbourhood Team and Operations Department stepped out with partners from Nexus, operator of the Tyne and Wear Metro, and Trinity Square to carry out additional patrols and ride the rails between Gateshead Interchange and Pelaw Metro Stations.

Taking place from 2pm to 10pm, the activity saw the team engage with shoppers in and around Trinity Square, as well as passengers and commuters – listening to concerns and feedback as well as monitoring the area for any antisocial and suspicious activity as well as escalating behaviour.

The activity, which was funded by the Violence Reduction Unit and co-ordinated with the help of Gateshead Council, will run for eight weeks and aims to help reduce crime and prevent disorder.

Praising the partnership approach to tackling disorder, and ensuring public spaces thrive, Neighbourhood Inspector Kevin Ashurst of Northumbria Police said: “Gateshead town centre is a bustling hub with many commuters and visitors passing through every day. It’s vital they are able to go about their business safely and in the knowledge that should they need us, we’re there.

“These patrols are an extension of the activity we regularly carry out, but they see us working in a more targeted and visible way, at those busy times when the public need us most – and with the added bonus of our partners accompanying us and sharing their expertise.

“While it’s only a small majority of people who cause disorder in our transport hubs and towns, we know that it can have a significant knock-on effect to those using the services and spending time in those affected places.

“This is why we will continue to have extra officers in and around Gateshead town centre throughout these coming winter months – so they can tackle disorder head-on listen to any concerns people might have.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “Thanks to the success over the summer, we know that this targeted action does work. However, stopping there was not an option. We need to continue engaging young people and identifying those causing serious disruption in our communities – we will not tolerate their harmful behaviour. That’s why the Violence Reduction Unit have invested further in this crucial work. We need to understand the underlying causes and work with these individuals to deter them from crime – and for those who do not engage in our interventions, there are likely to be consequences.” 

She added: “No-one should ever become a victim of crime but sadly we know that it does happen – that’s why the more we work together and invest in prevention, the stronger our position will be in the fight against crime.”

Metro Operations Director, John Alexander, said: “We continue to work in co-operation with the police and other stakeholders to deal with anti-social behaviour when it occurs on Metro.

“These extra patrols will be of great reassurance to the law-abiding majority of people who pay for their travel and don’t want to put up with a minority who cause trouble.

“The extra policing and other measures we have put in place has helped to halve the levels of anti-social behaviour on Metro since the spring.

“Not only does Nexus invest in policing on Metro, we are also putting £3m into a security team to patrol the network on a permanent basis. We have invested £4m in improved CCTV, and all of our frontline staff wear body cameras.

“Anyone who causes trouble on Metro is likely to get caught and face prosecution, fines, and even a possible ban from using the system.”

To report suspicious behaviour, please use the Tell us Something page on the Northumbria Police website.