Young people will again have an exciting opportunity to bid for projects and activities as Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness launches the second round of the Violence Reduction Unit’s Local Youth Fund.

Earlier this year, young people submitted their proposals during the first round of the Local Youth Fund and the Violence Reduction Unit was able to fund 15 successful applications for young people to make a difference in their area.

Now, with £10,000 available and up to £500 per project, young people, with the support of a registered youth or community organisation, can bid for what matters to them in their local area, when the fund opens on Wednesday 5th January 2022.

The Violence Reduction Unit are working with North East Youth Alliance, to ensure young people across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear are aware of this fantastic opportunity.

Providing young people with the opportunity to develop their own project has fantastic benefits in building confidence, experience and skills for use in daily life.

This fund continues to be shaped by young people with the support of a youth panel who will review applications and provide their recommendations for funding.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness said: “I asked young people to tell me what matters to them in their local communities and through my Violence Reduction Unit, we’ve funded 15 projects across Northumberland, Tyne & Wear to do just that. And now, I want to hear from young people again – what projects, activities, support do you want to see? There is up to £500 available per project, and I want young people to tell me how best we spend this. So, if you, or someone you know has a great idea, then please do apply”.

She added: “It is vitally important that we engage our regions young people now to ensure they have the right support and opportunities to make positive decisions for the future.”

On behalf of the North East Youth Alliance, NE Youth Chief Executive Jon Niblo said: “The North East Youth Alliance are proud to be a partner within the Local Youth Fund which in round one supported some really positive community projects with young people. Young people also played a key role in the decision-making process gaining new skills and confidence. Good luck to all groups in round two.”

The application form will be available to complete via the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioners website when the fund opens on Wednesday 5^th January 2022.

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

POLICE Commissioner Kim McGuinness has welcomed new figures that show violent crime is down and more young people are being steered away from violence and criminality.

The latest figures show a 17% reduction in knife enabled serious violence, lower than levels witnessed before Covid in 2019.

The Violence Reduction Unit has set out its third year action plan that sees it continue to take a radical new approach to tackling the root causes of violent crime – a “public health” response in which violent lifestyles are treated like a disease, finding people who are at risk of learning violent behaviour and steering them away from exposure.

The PCC chaired the Violence Reduction Unit’s quarterly strategic board meeting last month and the figures show that since its inception there has been a reduction in serious and violent crime.

With hospital admissions caused by the use of sharp objects almost halved over the last two years and levels of violent crime reduced by up to 17% in areas such as Gateshead, the region’s most vulnerable young people and those on the cusp of crime are seeing their lives turned around through the Violence Reduction Unit’s preventative interventions.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness said, “Our region has come a long way in such a short time, but we know there is still so much more to be done to improve lives and prevent crime in our communities and through the Violence Reduction Unit, I am committed to doing exactly that. This last year has been difficult for so many of us and we have had to be creative in adapting our approach.”

She added: “We cannot just arrest our way out the problem – instead we must continue to educate young people, prevent individuals from re-offending and rebuild our neighbourhood services that were lost to austerity.”

The impact of the Violence Reduction Unit is evident in the number of people engaging in its funded interventions over the last 12 months. Some of the fantastic results include 79 young people whose risk of committing serious and violent crime was reduced, 83 young people with no further police intelligence, 51 young people with improved school attendance and 21 families with increased resilience after accessing dedicated support.

Further community based interventions look to work with individuals to understand their offending behaviour, the impact this behaviour has on victims and to find solutions to identified issues.

The Violence Reduction Unit has also engaged almost 14,000 young people in 645 educational sessions as well as delivering knife crime awareness training to almost 800 frontline workers.

Ipsos MORI found that for every £1 invested in Violence Reduction Units, £3 is saved to the public purse. The most recent local evaluation conducted on year 2 activities found that a combination of the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit and Police Surge activity, showed savings of £7.5 million per year.

For more information please contact the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit by email.

ENDS

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness has announced plans to recruit nearly 50 additional call handlers and six team leaders by February 2022 to help with high emergency call volumes experienced across Northumbria, Tyne and Wear.

Latest data presented to the Northumbria Police and Crime Panel has revealed a significant rise in the number of 101 and 999 calls dealt with by Northumbria Police.

Following on from the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, 999 calls received since February 2021 have been the highest in the decade – a trend replicated across all police forces and emergency services. While 999 calls are being answered this leads to a knock on effect with 101.

The recruitment of extra phone operators is part of an ongoing series of planned measures being introduced by Northumbria Police such as technology updates and call back features.

The work is part of the Force’s ongoing commitment to improving the service it provides to local residents.

For the 12 months to September 2021 the number of 999 calls has increased by 6% compared to the previous 12 months.

This equates to Northumbria Police 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 Commissioner has welcomed recent figures which show call handling performance has improved in November 2021, compared to October 2021 and the Commissioner is keen to build on this.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said:

“If any of us pick up the phone in an emergency we want a quick response but it’s like with any business – supply has to meet demand. We all know our police are up against it – not just in the aftermath of the pandemic – they have been for years. The pressure really is on to meet growing, complex and higher-risk demands but we’re repairing the damage done by chronic government cuts. We have a huge national challenge on our hands. But it’s something we are determined to get a grip of here in Northumbria.”

Kim continued: “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.

“Thankfully, in recent months we have seen considerable improvements, and I am committed to allocating the funding and resources to build upon this. I know there have been issues. I also know how hard those who are answering the phones and responding to the public work too – making critical decisions in emergency situations – it’s an important job. It really is crucial that all our emergency services are properly resourced and recruiting 48 more call handlers should ease pressures and improve the policing responses.”

A park safety overhaul is underway across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear with a host of improvements being introduced to make popular parks across the region safer and more inclusive for women and young girls.

Better lighting, cutting back vegetation to aid visibility and designated help points linked to control rooms will help address safety concerns brought to light by local women, as part of Kim McGuinness’ Safer Streets survey.

Working closely with local councils, the Commissioner is channelling £377,237 into parks across all six local authority areas. Parks benefiting include:

• Mowbray Park, Sunderland;
• North Marine Park, South Shields;
• Saltwell Park, Gateshead;
• Leazes Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne;
• Richardson Dees Park, Wallsend; and
• Hirst Park, Ashington.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “I love how lucky we are in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear to have so many really good parks – great for walks, for families, but people have told us they don’t always feel safe using them. We have to change this.

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

“To make sure parks are safer for women we must listen to their stories; and we are. And the things we are making happen to improve safety will benefit everyone.”

Earlier this year, the Commissioner’s Safer Streets Survey found that 62% felt unsafe or very unsafe in parks at night. 89% felt unsafe due to men/boys and groups of people.

Kim McGuinness added: “We’re got a range of specialists on board too, along with our police force and our councils and together we’re throwing a great deal of effort at coming up with real solutions. A lot of these improvements will also help reduce other crime such as ASB, drug dealing, and hate crime and so on.

“Whether it’s help points to encourage both victims and bystanders to report concerns or underpasses with better lighting – we are taking notice of what local women are telling us is needed and we are working to make things better, to make things safer.”

Leader of Sunderland City Council and Chair of the Safer Sunderland Partnership, Councillor Graeme Miller, said:

“Our parks and open spaces have become even more precious to residents in recent months and the award-winning Mowbray Park alongside the Museum and Winter Gardens is at the heart of our city.

“Recognising how important the park is and its increasing importance, we’ve been working with the Police and Crime Commissioner and looking at further public safety works in Mowbray.

“These works, including a Help Point, are about improving and reassuring the public how Sunderland can be a safer city for all residents, businesses and visitors.”

Northumbria Police Assistant Chief Constable Neil Hutchison said: “We very much welcome this funding which will build on the work already under way to keep our communities safe.

“We know how popular our beautiful parks are and we want everyone to feel safe when enjoying these spaces.

“We will continue to listen to the communities we are privileged to serve and work with our partners as we all come together to help ensure this region remains one of the safest in the country.”

The chief of the region’s Fire and Rescue Service has today called for communities to come together and say ‘No’ to violence against women.

Chief Fire Officer Chris Lowther, of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), has made the pledge in support of White Ribbon Day.

He has joined groups and organisations from across Tyne and Wear in supporting the national and international campaign.

White Ribbon Day is now in its seventeenth year and is led by men who are calling for an end to men’s violence against women.

 It is celebrated today (November 25^th) and is also followed by ‘The 16 Days of Action’ – with this year’s leading message being #AllMenCan.

 The awareness day, and subsequent activity, hopes to engage men and boys across the world to make a stand against violence.

It is also hoped for all men to fulfil the White Ribbon Promise to never commit, excuse or remain silent about male violence against women.

Chief Fire Officer Chris Lowther, of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said:

“Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service is proud to play an important role in White Ribbon Day and the 16 Days of Action.

“We actively promote openness and diversity throughout the Fire Service and support the integrity of the campaign all year round.

“We urge our male firefighters, staff and crew to identify and action the White Ribbon Promise and we hope our communities can get behind it too.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said:

“Violence against women and girls is not a women’s issue; it’s not about us, as women, keeping ourselves safe. Society needs men speaking out about male violence, challenging it, committing to ending it. This is why White Ribbon is so valuable. The message is gaining momentum and we must seize this. Ignoring a problem only means it gets worse. We have to work to prevent it and we will.”

Significant investment is set to be made to increase security in Newcastle and improve the safety of those enjoying the city’s famed nightlife.

Nearly £300,000 to be spent on measures to help people enjoy our city’s famous nightlife safely.
Nearly £300,000 to be spent on measures to help people enjoy our city’s famous nightlife safely
Newcastle City Council has approved plans to invest nearly £300,000 in a range of measures, including:

Deploying uniformed marshals to enhance presence of security personnel in the city centre
Delivering more training to licensed premises and door staff
Upgrading CCTV infrastructure at key strategic locations
Installing upgraded life-saving equipment along the Quayside
Improving street lighting at Old Eldon Square
Providing funds to private hire taxi trade to increase taxi branding
Accelerating ‘Best Practice’ inspections of licensed premises which encourages them to operate in the best way to keep customers safe
Funding provision of drinks covers to deter spiking
This includes a successful bid for more than £100,00 to the Home Office’s Safety of Women at Night (SWAN) fund as well as investment from Newcastle’s Late Night Levy scheme.

This will provide resources to pilot uniformed marshals to help safeguard people enjoying the city’s nightlife offer; support and expand provision the Safe Haven Van in partnership with North East Ambulance Service, St John’s Ambulance, Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner and Northumbria Police; increase capacity of licensing-led inspections to support local venues to meet their licensing requirements; and deliver training programmes.

Changing Lives will be supported to deliver training to a range of professionals to help make sure they are skilled to properly and correctly respond to reports of sexual offences. In addition to this, Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland will extend delivery of the ‘Shout Up!’ training programme to now include door staff to upskill them to recognise and respond to sexual harassment or inappropriate behaviour both inside and outside of venues.

This bid was submitted in partnership with Northumbria Police, North East Ambulance Service, Changing Lives, and Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland.

Cllr Clare-Penny Evans, Newcastle City Council cabinet member for Climate Change and Public Safety, and Chair of the safe Newcastle Board, said: “Newcastle is renowned for its night-time offer and that is part of what makes the city such an attractive place for people to live in or to visit.

“Already, a huge amount of work from a range of key partners goes into keeping people safe in the city, but we are constantly striving to improve the offer to make sure members of the public are confident in going out in Newcastle, and that the venues and services that support them are equipped to keep members of the public safe.

“The safety of everybody is of the upmost importance, but we must continue to emphasise the significance of the safety of women as we know that is of great concern to women and girls everywhere.

“As a council, this is something we are acutely aware of and we are in process of applying for accreditation to the White Ribbon campaign which seeks to end male violence against women and girls, and our successful partnership bid to the Safety of Women at Night fund and the additional measures we are implementing demonstrate our commitment to ensuring everybody can be confident they are being kept as safe as possible while they enjoy themselves in our great city.”

Northumbria Police Assistant Chief Constable Neil Hutchison said: “We very much welcome this investment which will build on the considerable work already under way to help ensure Newcastle remains one of the safest cities in the country to enjoy a night out.

“This further reinforces our commitment to working with partners and listening to our communities to develop measures to keep people safe and increase confidence.

“As a Force, we work with Newcastle City Council, charities, businesses, licensees, door supervisors, hotel staff and taxi drivers, so we can all come together to help ensure those who want to enjoy a night out can do so in a safe and friendly environment.

“In 2019, we also launched a pioneering pilot scheme known as Operation Cloak in the city centre, an initiative which sees dedicated officers on patrol in our night-time economy to protect those who may be vulnerable and target anyone looking to commit offences. This has now been rolled-out elsewhere in our region and other parts of the country.

“By continuing to seek investment and working together, we can build on such initiatives in the city and across the North East.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said “It’s no surprise to me that time and time again Newcastle is voted as the best party city and the more that we do together to make sure it’s a safe one too, the better.

“There’s lots of great work in place already in terms of training those who work in the night-time economy and protecting the vulnerable and these plans really build on this and show just how much of a priority it is that people are safe on a night out in our city.”