MORE than two years have passed since Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness launched her Covid Response Fund – and yet community groups are still facing the same financial pressures they were at the start of the pandemic, she warns.

Pallion Action Group in Sunderland was one organisation who applied to the fund when it was set up by Kim McGuinness. They received cash to work with Northumbria Police to improve the wellbeing of those most at risk of becoming involved in criminal activity.  Manager Karen Noble said they thought things were bad then but the need for funding is just as great now.

She said: “This funding was vitally important to our local communities, we are trying to support our most vulnerable residents who often have complex issues. We have been lucky to be able to make a difference with the funding we received then, but these problems have not gone away, things are getting worse especially with the high rise in cost of living.”

Back in April 2020 Kim McGuinness brought forward her annual community fund to make £300,000 available to local charity organisations helping them to continue their vital work supporting local people and preventing crime as the pandemic took hold.

In particular, the Coronavirus Response Fund was set up to support vulnerable people at risk of abuse, neglect and the impacts of poverty.

Now, increasing gas and electricity costs, food and transport going up – budgets of organisations that are there to help are being pushed to the limit and at a time of growing demand due to the cost of living crisis.

Data revealed last month by the campaign group for community power ‘We’re Right Here’ has shown four in ten of the local groups which sprang up in the first days of the Covid pandemic have also become permanent hubs of neighbourly support as struggles continue.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “It feels like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel for so many crucial organisations that do incredible things supporting our communities.  We’ve rolled from one crisis straight into another.

“Organisations are telling me they’re up to their ears in grant applications. They’re often desperate to cover overheads and just keep things afloat never mind helping more victims or supporting more young people.

“And I worry about the knock-on effects. We need to be fighting poverty to be fighting crime too. This is how we reduce the number of victims.

“Youth groups, victim services, community clubs – these organisations played such an important part in the region’s response to Covid. Now they’re wanting to grow or help in other ways because that’s the spirit in the North East but they’re up against it.

“We may be moving on from the pandemic but there’s a whole new set of challenges our region is facing but there’s no more Government funding to cover it. They can’t hide behind Covid now. There are so many gaps in services and provisions and there are groups trying desperately hard to plug them but with such little financial help.”

NE Youth also successfully bid for funding to supporting disadvantaged young people at the start of the pandemic and they say funding is just as tight. Jon Niblo NE Youth’s CEO said: “Our funding was a key element of our Covid Response plan for Young People facing additional challenges during this difficult period. Our well-being packs were warmly received and provided Young People with important resources. The support and trust from the PCC during this period was incredibly important for Youth Charities like ourselves.”

Other beneficiaries included Northumberland Domestic Abuse Project, North Benwell Youth Project, Impact Family Services.

 Kim McGuinness and the team at Pallion Action Group in Sunderland

Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness has announced new plans to help find work for those at risk of criminality as a key step to reducing the number of victims in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear.

The new jobs scheme forms a key part of her flagship policing plan for the region, focused on Fighting Poverty, Fighting Crime.

Her Violence Reduction Unit has teamed up with the Co-op, in its aim to help find work for women and young people who might otherwise turn to shoplifting or other crimes.

In a ground-breaking new project, the Commissioner has backed the coaching programme in order to stop crime before it starts.

This programme seeks to work with individuals over a 6 month period, and has seen 10 women, with custody or community probation supervision, having benefitted from one-to-one sessions through the support of an experienced business coach.

The programme, which results in an interview with the Co-op if requested, is aimed at those who want to make a difference in their life and are able to fully commit to the workshops and coaching sessions.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness said “This is a fantastic example of how an organisation is supporting people in our region. A job can turn lives around – and this exciting new programme aims to do just that. By addressing the barriers to employment, offering support to re-build confidence and explore new skills, those in most need will have positive aspirations for the future and be diverted from a life of crime”.

She added, “The Violence Reduction Unit continues to engage those most at risk of becoming a victim or committing serious violence and we are doing everything we can to break the cycle of criminality by improving lives. Having a job provides that sense of purpose and achievement – it can help stop poverty and crime. That’s why I’m calling for more businesses to get involved and provide opportunities for people in our region”.

Co-op Director of Campaigning and Public Affairs, Paul Gerrard said: “We are delighted to support the Commissioner’s plan and play our part in helping people to rebuild their confidence and lives. We strongly believe that business has a vital role to play in building stronger and safer communities, and even more importantly, that everyone should be supported to reach their full potential”.

The Police Commissioner recently launched her new plan for the region, Fighting Poverty, Fighting Crime. In this she set out how her number one priority is more police recruits.

But with limited Government funds and only around half the force’s 1,100 lost officer numbers replaced by Government, the Police Commissioner has made preventing crime a key focus.

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

LITTLE MIX star Jade Thirlwall’s bar in South Shields has become the latest venue to roll-out vulnerability training delivered by the region’s dedicated Violence Reduction Unit.

Staff at the pop star’s venue, Arbeia, on Ocean Road, and other Pubwatch staff in the area were joined by Kim McGuinness and trainers from her Violence Reduction Unit and Northumbria Police, which delivers comprehensive sessions aimed at improving safety on a night out.

Bar tenders, door staff and club managers all came together at the popular venue to take part in the training which educates night-time economy staff around vulnerability, identifying risks and their duty of care.

Last year a survey by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria found that 43% of sexual harassment and 44% of unwanted sexual touching happened in city centres including bars and clubs.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “I just love that cities and towns across our region are known for offering the best night out but it’s incredibly important to me that we are the safest too. Everyone has the right to feel safe whatever they are doing; whether they are on the dance floor or getting a taxi home.

“There is a real passion amongst everyone involved and everyone taking part in the training, to make change, to make sure we’re all safe. Being grabbed, followed, touched up – whatever – it’s all very, very wrong and we want to support staff who are in a position to look out for others. This whole campaign of work is about saying we won’t stand for it, and this is how we can help.”

The vulnerability training is part of the ongoing force-wide ‘Fun without Fear’ campaign in conjunction with Rape Crisis, Northumbria Police and local authorities.

The campaign aims to promote behaviour change, encourage reporting and signpost victims to help and support.

The training also covers factors and risks around refusing entry of a vulnerable person and how to identify exploitation through County Lines and the warning signs of Modern Day Slavery.

Other activity from the campaign has included enhanced police patrols, street pastors helping people get home safely and specialist support for victims through Rape Crisis.

The campaign complements other campaigns promoting safety in other public places such as on public transport or out in the region’s parks. Together, it is hoped people will be safe and feel safe throughout the region.

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.