ROCKETING prices are piling pressure on police budgets, warns Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness.

Doubling electricity bills, force gas contracts rising by 77 per cent and soaring diesel and petrol prices – it could all cause a staggering £3 Million dent in Northumbria Police’s budget, accountants predict.

With the cost of living crisis sweeping the country, the Commissioner says that police finances here and elsewhere, are up against it more than ever and this is a real concern.

Speaking ahead of the Northumbria Police and Crime Panel on Tuesday, Kim McGuinness said it was important to be clear about the financial challenges the force faces, especially at a time of increased police demand.

She said: “Energy, fuel, bills – budgets all over are taking hit after hit and our police force is no exception. Keeping communities safe and fighting crime comes at a price and prices are soaring.

“Against the backdrop of years of austerity, the cost of living crisis, rocketing inflation and the recovery from the pandemic – I want to be very upfront about the potential budget pressures our police force is facing.

“It’s easy to say we’ll look to find efficiencies but the force has had to do that for ten years battling cuts – money really is tight.

“Policing plays such a vital role and supports some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. With increased poverty comes increased likelihood of being a victim crime or being drawn into committing crime.”

“I am worried about the cost of living’s impact on our region but I’m also worried about the cost of policing too. We have to have resources in place to deal with the demands; we’ll have no choice but to go into emergency reserves” Kim added.

PLANS to ‘seize the crisis moment’ and improve the service offered to victims of domestic abuse, by putting specialists in police control rooms, have now gone live with the support of Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness.

The new initiative funded by the PCC’s office, will benefit victims across the whole of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and is a first for Northumbria Police.

Designed to improve the overall victim experience, the new approach means specialists from North East services Wearside Women in Need and Harbour are now on hand to support victims during identified peak times – namely busy weekend nights.

The experienced domestic abuse service staff team up with officers in the control room to assist at the key moment when the victim has taken the first step in reporting an incident to the police.

They are there to use their knowledge around risk and need and advise the victim on the best help and support options.

Northumbria Police receives on average 70 reports of domestic abuse per day, a number which often rises during the holidays.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “We have to protect the vulnerable and we know that the sooner a victim engages with specialist support services they are more likely to get the help they need. Having these specialists on hand supporting our police means we can seize the opportunity right from the off, at their moment of crisis, and by having that early intervention, we can stop things escalating.”

Kim added: “The more joined up we make the response when people reach out, the better, and the more likely they are to call the police in future if needed – that’s what we want. Anything that increases the chance of a victim taking up specialist support is worth doing and this can really improve lives for both victims and their children.”

Supt Lisa Laverick, from Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department, said: “Protecting people who are vulnerable is our number one priority and this includes victims of domestic abuse.

“This initiative builds on the work already underway with partners to further help ensure victims receive the support they need.

“I would urge anyone who has been subjected to such abuse to come forward – we are here for you.

“As well as supporting and safeguarding victims, we are absolutely committed to pursuing offenders and bringing them to justice.”

Helen Slimin from Wearside Women in Need, said: “We are looking forward to being part of an innovative project with our partners which will support victims of Domestic Abuse, aiming to keep them and their children safe. It is an opportunity to offer advice and support at crisis point and we welcome the opportunity to do this.”

Lesley Gibson, Chief Executive of Harbour said: “We welcome closer partnership working between the specialist voluntary sector and the Police to get victims of domestic abuse the information and support they need when they need it. By working together we combine our skills and expertise and that will provide a better response for victims.”

If you need any advice or support, please don’t hesitate to contact Northumbria Police via their discrete ‘Tell Us Something’ page on their website, which has an instant ‘hide page’ function.

You can also reach out to one of the fantastic partner agencies who can help offer advice and support. Contact the freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247 or again search the Northumbria Police website.

Always call 999 in an emergency.

Operation Payback, where Police Commissioner Kim McGuinness uses the cash criminals have taken from local communities and distributes it among grass root projects is back – and community groups are being encouraged to get their bids in now.

This time, more than £150,000 is up for grabs and Kim is keen to hear from local youth clubs and community groups that have ideas that would benefit their local neighbourhood.

She is particularly keen to hear from those looking for cash to help fund ideas that would help curb summer anti-social behaviour across the region.

The aim of Operation Payback 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.

PCC Kim McGuinness wants to see positive activities such as sports tournaments, dance classes and DJ-ing workshops fill the summer holidays, especially for those less fortunate in the North-East and is very open to fresh ideas.

She hopes to get a range of bids in that will cover all six local authority areas (Northumberland, Newcastle, Sunderland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Gateshead).

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “Payback is about getting money back into the right hands. From families to youth clubs – everyone is struggling right now and there are consequences.

“There’s no better use for cash seized from crime than channeling it right back into communities to help prevent more crime. With the school holidays around the corner I want to help make sure there’s stuff for kids to do, places they can go.

“I’ve spoken to mams and dads who are pretty worried. They can’t afford to do the stuff they want to do – the holidays the trips out, not to mention the basics like putting all the extra meals on the table. Some parents are working hard themselves over the holidays just to make ends meet and just can’t keep their eye on the kids.

“So I want us to use Payback to find ways to help. We’ve had people get in touch about things like running evening pizza clubs to help keep kids fed and cut ASB on the streets – things like this are a win all round. It 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. This really is a great opportunity to get that funding right where it’s needed most.”

Applications close on Sunday 19^th June 2022.

For further information on how to apply visit HERE.

SCHOOLCHILDREN, particularly in deprived areas are crying out for fun activities over the summer holidays to help stop them getting in trouble with the law, says Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness, as she launches a new funding opportunity for local communities

Today (Monday 30^th May) the Commissioner has re-opened her Operation Payback funding pot with more than £150,000 up for grabs. She is inviting local youth groups and community groups to apply for a share and is wanting to hear new activity ideas that would help curb summer anti-social behaviour across the region.

Operation Payback uses cash criminals have taken from communities in the Northumbria Police Force area and puts it back into projects and initiatives that make a difference to the places that need it most.

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.

PCC Kim McGuinness wants to see positive activities such as sports tournaments, dance classes and DJ-ing workshops fill the summer holidays, especially for those less fortunate in the North-East.

She hopes to get a range of ideas to cover all six local authority areas (Northumberland, Newcastle, Sunderland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Gateshead) and aims to have funding allocated in time for kids breaking up from school for the summer.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “So many families really feel the pressure of the summer holidays and in some cases. especially when money is tight, or mam and dad are working, kids get left to their own devices with little to do. That’s just the way it is. It’s a real help to parents to know there are places their kids can go and things they can do.

“The ‘Cost of Living’ crisis is hitting far too many people, particularly in our region, and not everyone can afford days out at theme parks or to jet off somewhere sunny. 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.

“There’s no better use for cash seized from crime than channelling it right back into 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.

“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.”

Operation Payback is part of a much wider of action happening across the Northumbria Police force area, with further ASB related projects to be announced by Kim McGuinness as chair of the local ASB Board before the summer holidays. Activities planned for later in the year to help curb ASB around Halloween are also welcomed.

The ASB Board was established by the PCC earlier this year and brings together local authorities and public transport operators.

Applications close on Sunday 19^th June 2022.

For further information on how to apply visit HERE.

BUSES are hugely important to the people of the North-East with 162 million bus journeys made each year and now Police Commissioner Kim McGuinness is launching a survey to understand how these journeys can be made safer for everyone.

In order to steer improvements across the region, Kim McGuinness is inviting those who use our buses, as well as those who for whatever reason choose not to, to have their say on how we can improve bus safety for and ensure people feel comfortable climbing on board.

Last year, the PCC’s transport survey found that people want public transport that is not only reliable and affordable, but safe too.

In response to initial concerns raised, the Commissioner’s office secured funding to develop a Safer Transport Northumbria App, with the support of Northumbria Police, Nexus Stagecoach, Go North East and Arriva.

The app was designed to help make it easier for passengers to report any behaviour that makes them, or others, feel uncomfortable when on the bus or Metro such as verbal abuse or racism.

The app is also there for reporting women’s safety concerns after studies found women are ten per cent more likely to feel unsafe than men on urban public transport.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “I want to know what bothers people about buses, and what we can do about it. We’ll be at bus stops and stations throughout the region, speaking to passengers asking them about the things our bus services get right but also where things need to be improved.

“I’ve done public transport surveys in the past and know people want buses that are affordable and reliable, but they also want to know they are safe too and I want to dig deeper into this – the routes, the reliability, the reporting. I know our bus operators haven’t had it easy in recent years with countless cuts to funding and the pandemic, but this is about looking ahead.

“Buses help thousands of passengers travel every day to get to school, work or to the shops. With the cost-of-living crisis only going to get worse, and as one of the most poverty-stricken regions in the country it’s imperative people can access a bus service – a bus servicer that works for them. Family budgets are tighter than ever and our buses have to be an attractive option opening up opportunities.

“I want to represent the voice of local passengers and this is their chance to be heard. I want to look into how we can make journeys safer for all and the more insight we get, the more improvements we can look at making.”

The bus consultation will be taking place at the following locations:

1. Blyth bus station, 24th May, 10:00 – 12:00
2. Gateshead Interchange, 25th May, 09:00 – 11:00
3. Park Lane bus station, 25th May, 14:00 – 16:00

The information gathered will be used to tell operators and tell our police what’s going well and what’s going not so well.

For more information and to complete the survey, please click HERE.

Cllr Martin Gannon, Chair of the North East Joint Transport Committee, said: “Having a safe, secure network is a key part of our region’s Transport Plan – our shared vision for how we want our transport network to look and feel by 2035.

“We continue to work with partners to make the bus network safer and I look forward to seeing the results of this consultation in due course. Please take a moment to have your say on this important issue – it’s really important that passengers feel safe.”

ENDS

TWO MILLION pounds worth of force-wide projects to improve public safety and tackle anti-social behaviour on nights out and on public transport, will be rolled-out across the region if a funding bid made by Police Commissioner Kim McGuinness is successful.

Last week, Kim McGuinness’s office applied for Home Office Safer Streets funding outlining detailed initiatives to make people feel safer.

These plans include enhanced police patrols on nights out and more overtime for officers on the Metro. Policing will be supported with more street pastors across transport networks, youth diversion schemes, improvements to underpasses, safe-haven and victim support and programmes and campaigns to change views and behaviours as well as raising awareness.

Since securing previous Safer Streets funding, a lot of work has been underway to help people feel safe. There have been more Northumbria Police officers out in the night-time economy as part of Operation Cloak, a Fun without Fear campaign has been launched with local authorities and a Safer Transport Northumbria reporting app has gone live.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “Over the years we’ve seen this Government let the North-East down with cuts after cuts and so I am appealing to them directly with this. There’s too much at stake here. Our needs in Northumbria simply can’t be ignored.

“If there is any real care, any truth in their intentions of improving women’s safety and bringing crime like ASB down, Government will hand over the cash we need to keep building on the good work we have started around prevention, changing behaviours, raising awareness and supporting those who need it.

“We know the investigative response to awful crimes like sexual offences is good but this is reactive. I want to see a really proactive approach, where we get ahead of these problems – there has to be a focus on preventing these things from happening at all.

“Northumbria needs support with this work if we are going to bring about real change though and I hope this time round we find out if we have been successful without delay. The delays last time only added to our frustrations and held up crucial work that can have a real impact.

“We know what we’ve got to do and we just want to get on with the job – but it’s over to the Government to not let the people of the North East down. We’ve got a strong bid in, it’s in their hands now.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness has worked on the funding bid with all six local authorities in the force area, with the aim of improving the safety of public spaces for all.