Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, has called on local businesses to support colleagues suffering domestic abuse.

While hundreds of North East employees were signed up to domestic abuse champion training ran by the PCC’s office during the pandemic, she says more workplaces could be taking those suffering under their wing by having colleagues trained to sign-post them to support or to help make special arrangements to ensure they are safe.

At an online event held by the North East England Chamber of Commerce on what businesses can do to reduce violence against women and girls, the Commissioner raised the importance of education. However, she stressed education isn’t just a job for our schools and that awareness and understanding around domestic abuse often needs teaching to the grown-ups too.

She said that employers have a duty and responsibility to provide staff with a safe working environment and that businesses can, and should, be playing a vital role when it comes to recognising those at risk of domestic abuse or violence.

Following the event, Kim’s office was inundated with enquiries about the domestic abuse workplace champions’ scheme with enquiries from a range of sectors including engineering and childcare. As a result, her Violence Reduction Unit is now in the process of lining up a series of further online training opportunities, with more information available on the website –https://tinyurl.com/7zd9ndm5

Northumbria Police and Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “For some staff, the workplace can be the only safe haven from the horrors of home – it offers escape, sanctuary and refuge. Just think what lockdown must have been like for these people. You see, victims of domestic abuse need help from employers, as well as the police. Colleagues are often the eyes and ears to it all.

“They might hear a partner shouting at a colleague on the end of a Teams call or someone saying they won’t be coming on the work night out simply because their husband won’t like it”, she explained.

“Colleagues might even be the person a victim turns to for help. This is why it’s so important to have staff that are aware and can give the right response. They know the best things to say and where to signpost them to.”

The Commissioner thanked organisations at the event who were already on board, taking a lead with making domestic abuse a workplace priority and invited other attendees recognising the need to do more to make contact with her office.

Kim added: “As well as duty of care and doing the right thing, it goes without saying that employers know that personal, “real life” problems affect job performance too, and that job performance affects the bottom line. And so making sure those around us – whether working in an office, a shop, a factory – are all equipped with the skills to talk about domestic abuse and know the appropriate action to take. It’s a win all round and a business that gets this right could, quite frankly, save a life.”

For more information please contact champions@northumbria-pcc.gov.uk

More than 70 new officers joined Northumbria Police on Monday as we welcomed the first class of 2022.

The recruits have come from all walks of life, bringing a range of experiences and skills to the Force.

And they all have the same opportunity – to make a real difference to the communities we serve.

The cohort of 74 officers were personally welcomed by Chief Constable Winton Keenen QPM and Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness.

Chief Constable Keenen said: “It is a huge privilege to welcome new officers into our ranks.

“Each and every one of them has the opportunity to make a real and lasting difference to the communities we are proud to serve and be a part of here in the North East.

“They are joining a committed team of officers, staff and volunteers who are determined to provide the very best service possible.”

He added: “Our officer recruitment programme is still open, and I strongly encourage anyone who feels passionate about their community and policing to apply.

“We want to hear from exceptional people from all backgrounds who will bring a wide and diverse range of experiences and skills.

“We also currently have opportunities for police staff to join our organisation as a call handler in our control rooms, performing a hugely important role and making a real difference on the frontline.

“A career in policing is extremely rewarding, providing many opportunities and challenges, all of which are tackled as part of a hugely supportive team.”

The latest recruits will replace retiring officers and form part of Northumbria Police’s ongoing commitment to increase officer numbers.

They will now begin an extensive training programme, which will include time in the classroom and on patrol alongside their more experienced colleagues.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “It’s always a good day for the force when classes full of new recruits come together to begin their training for careers in fighting and preventing crime.

“I know people want to see more officers on the streets, we all do, but there is a lot of police work that goes on behind the scenes too, involving investigations and safeguarding and whatever role these recruits go on to do, it will be a valuable one and I wish them every success.

“This latest cohort means we are continuing to smash Government recruitment targets because quite frankly they don’t go far enough, but the Chief Constable and I are determined to do all we can to maintain an efficient and effective police service because that’s what local people deserve.”

Are you ready to make a difference?

Officer recruitment is now open: https://careers.northumbria.police.uk/police-constables/

To find out more about our call handler vacancies visit: https://careers.northumbria.police.uk/police-staff/communications-centre/

Recruitment is underway to hire 50 call handlers to help with emergency call volumes experienced across Northumbria, Tyne and Wear.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, says the move will help with high emergency call volumes experienced across Northumbria, Tyne and Wear.

Call-handlers are the first point of contact when people pick up the phone and dial 999 in an emergency or 101 in a non-emergency. Based at call-centres in Ponteland and South Shields, they also deal with matters reported online.

Northumbria Police has dealt with a significant rise in the number of calls over the last year, receiving an average of 880 calls per day in the period July to September 2021 compared to 676 in the same period in 2020.

The call handler recruitment drive is part of ongoing plans to improve the service the Force provides to local residents. As well other as extra phone operators, other planned improvements include new technology and call back features.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “The police undoubtedly need more people. In Northumbria, the Chief Constable and I recognise this – that’s why we are recruiting well above and beyond Government targets to get officers on the streets but the recruitment of officers is only half the battle. The bottom line is we need more people answering the phones too – it’s a frontline job.

“And, there’s no two ways about it, it is a demanding job but call handlers tell me it’s a very rewarding one. They are at the heart of the action and are that reassuring voice at the end of the line often when people need someone most. It’s a job with real purpose and with the bespoke training that comes with it, it’s a real opportunity.

“Building the team will be a real boost for our contact centre teams. It will help meet growing demands and improve overall efficiencies. It’s crucial that our emergency services are properly resourced.”

To learn more about the role and to apply visit: careers.northumbria.police.uk

ENDS

To kick-start the unveiling of a new approach to tackling crime across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, PCC Kim McGuinness is handing out £180,000 of cash to a range of community causes through her Operation Payback 2022 scheme.

The scheme’s pot of money 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.

The aim of Operation Payback is to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour, which will ultimately improve lives for residents and lead to fewer victims of crime in the future.

This links in with the Commissioner’s new ‘Fighting Poverty, Fighting Crime’ Plan – which is the new plan for local policing.

Yesterday, the Northumbria Police and Crime Panel signed off the Commissioner’s plan – making it the first plan of its kind to focus on poverty and reducing of crime through boosting jobs and youth opportunities for the region as a way of supporting operational policing.

For a full list of projects benefiting from Operation Payback, click HERE. Examples include:

• Highfield Village Community Action Group, GATESHEAD – funding to help set up a community centre.
• Amble Links FC, NORTHUMBERLAND – funding to purchase training kits to reduce pressures on parents to have the newest kits for their child.
• Mindstars NE, NORTH TYNESIDE – offering children living in poverty with free access to weekly mental health sessions for 6 months to reduce the need for crisis support.
• Sports for Youth, NEWCASTLE – funding activity camps targeted at low-income families
• Escape Intervention Services, SOUTH TYNESIDE –   activity programme to divert young people from ASB and improve their life chances.
• Pallion Action Group, SUNDERLAND – Diversionary activities for young people, most at risk of exploitation.

Put into practice the new ‘Fighting Poverty, Fighting Crime’ plan is about:

Working with local businesses to grown job opportunities across the region – work is the most important way out of poverty.

Work with public transport providers to ensure travel is affordable, reliable and also safe – without good transport links people can’t access opportunities.

Funding positive youth initiatives – giving young people an alternative to anti-social behaviour and working with those who are the biggest risk to others.

Supporting the whole family – commissioning services that not only support those on the cusp of crime but help the wider family to be more resilient.

Building on existing education and intervention projects ran by the Violence Reduction Unit and Northumbria Police – to grow awareness and understanding around healthy relationships and knife crime.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “I am making it my business to tackle deep-rooted poverty in our region because for too long Government has simply not cared; well I do.

“Crime and its effects hurt our region’s poorest the most and we can’t allow it. It’s sad but it’s true, that more deprived an area, the more crime there is – I want there to be less victims of crime so we have to take this on.

“It goes without saying we need a well-resourced police force but this is shifting the focus to make sure we give our children the best possible.  This has to be better than handing out punishments when they’re older. Any police officer will tell you we can’t arrest our way out of crime.”

“While criminals are likely to come from poorer backgrounds, this is not to say people who are poor are likely to be criminals. It does, however, make you more likely to be a victim of crime. This needs fixing.”

Speaking about the money being channelled into grass-root projects as part of Operation Payback, she added: “A lot of these projects are a lifeline to so many families, especially those facing difficulties.

“There is such brilliant work happening that needs to be celebrated – fantastic organisations that are serving their communities and preventing crime, up and down the North East. This money is to help them keep doing what they are doing. I for one recognise and value what they do and how they are improving lives.”

ENDS

The Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit today announced it has awarded over £12,000, directly engaging at least 1300 young people through a fund aimed at reducing violence.

The Local Youth Fund offers young people the opportunity to bid for activities or projects that matter to them and make a difference to the communities they live in. By developing their own project, young people are building confidence, experience and skills for use in daily life.

The fund continues to be shaped by young people, who are responsible for reviewing applications and providing recommendations for funding. This round received 38 applications from young people across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, with 24 projects to receive funding.

The successful applicants cover a range of projects, including re-engaging with education and training, outdoor activities, increasing safety and a forum for children with additional needs and disabilities.

The organisations supporting the successful applicants include:

• AutismAble
• Clegwell and Hartleyburn Positive Activities Group
• Cycling Minds
• Easington Lane and Sunderland City Council
• Far Association of Residence
• Hat-Trick Project
• Humankind
• New Beginnings North
• NE Youth
• North East Sport
• Northumbria Police
• South Tyneside Youth Service
• SPARCS
• Stakeford and Bomarsund Sporting Welfare
• Streetgames
• TheChev Gateshead Ltd
• Tyneside Outdoors
• Westerhope United Football Club

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “I am so proud of our region’s young people for responding to this opportunity to tell us what is important to them in their local area. The Violence Reduction Unit recognise the importance of giving young people opportunities and have put them right at the heart of this unique fund – it is a fund designed by young people and for young people. I can’t stress enough how important it is that we continue to engage our young people now to ensure they have the right support and opportunities to make positive decisions for the future.”

Joanne Vance, Chief Executive of New Beginnings North, said: “We supported two young people who have been successful with the Violence Reduction Unit’s Local Youth Fund. The difference that this funding will make is a life of re-engaging with education, training and employment instead of a life of crime. They could have ended up with a criminal record, been at risk of child exploitation and criminal activity but now with this funding they are both re-engaging with education and training. When we told them they had been successful, they were ecstatic and just so pleased that someone actually believed in them.”

For more information on the Local Youth Fund, please contact the Violence Reduction Unit by email VRU@northumbria-pcc.gov.uk.

ENDS

A girls’ rights march to North Marine Park, Tai Chi classes in Leazes Park and youth drop in sessions at Saltwell Park – these are just some of the positive action events springing up in parks across the Northumbria Police force area this spring.

The packed events programme forms part of Kim McGuinness’ plans to encourage local people to reclaim the region’s parks through her Safer Parks fund – a fund that has channeled £110K into parks across the six local authority areas

The funding opportunity was launched earlier this year in response to a Safer Streets Survey ran by the Commissioner’s office that uncovered 62 per cent of local women said they felt unsafe in our parks at night. It also found 89% felt unsafe due to men/boys and groups of people. These are figures Kim is determined to improve.

To help make change happen, Kim called on local people and community groups that are passionate about parks to bid for funding so she could hand over cash that would help them plan positive action activities that would breathe new life into our region’s green spaces and promote community safety.

With the lighter nights arriving, a range of activities and events are now lined up at our parks as a result of the funding and through working closely with each of the six local councils and Urban Green Newcastle.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “I’ve said this all along – parks belong to the community – the community knows best what would attract people to the parks and what would help them feel safer whether someone is walking home through the park at night or enjoying quality time with the family.

“We have so many really good parks in our region – great for taking a run or meeting friends but people have told us they don’t always feel safe using them and that’s not on.

“Parks should be at the heart of communities and places of escape – safety fears should not and must not prevent people from using them.

“So with this project we are making steps to change this and I am thankful to everyone who has been getting involved and I am looking forward to popping along to as many of them as I can to show my support.”

Parks with positive action events coming up are:

• Hirst Park – Ashington
• Richardson Dees Park – Wallsend
• Leazes Park – Newcastle
• Saltwell Park – Gateshead
• North Marine Park – South Shields
• Mowbray Park – Sunderland

A number of other improvements will be carried out at the sites including better lighting, new help points and the cutting back of vegetation to aid visibility.

For more detail on the events happening at your nearest park visit the website HERE