Young offenders at risk of slipping into a life of crime are being steered away from the courts and down a new pathway as part of a new revolutionary project.

Under a diversionary scheme being piloted in the area, teens caught up in criminal activity will be diverted back in to education, training and peer mentoring, rather than enter the justice system – where they could risk being convicted and ruining their futures.

The move is being spearheaded by the Force’s Prosecution and Victim services team, alongside partners from the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) all six local authorities and Youth Justice services. Together the partners have been guided and assisted by The Crown Prosecution Service.

Chief Inspector Rob Bosson, who has been instrumental in rolling out the scheme, said the main aim was to make a meaningful difference in young people’s lives, while reducing demand on the criminal justice system.

He said: “We know factors such as poverty, trauma, and mental health can all have an impact on a young person’s life and make them more likely to come into contact with the police.

“But we also know the right intervention can make all the difference. The preventative measures, including diversion schemes set up and supported by the police forces across the country, are reducing the number of children entering the criminal justice system – so why not replicate it for young adults and offer them another chance?

“In a lot of circumstances, putting first time offenders and young people before the courts has a detrimental effect as the stigma associated with it can make it difficult for that person to find a job, stay in education and make a positive contribution in their local community. This in turn can cause reoffending, and the spiral goes on and on.

“Our communities can be assured this scheme is not a get-out-of-jail-free card for those continually breaking the law or wreaking havoc. It’s a robust new system which ultimately looks at what is best for that young person as well as what’s in the public interest.

“If and when a person is eligible, a panel of experts will work together to make a decision on whether an out of court disposal, such as mentoring, education or counselling could serve as a better outcome for that individual.”

Families will also be an integral part of the process, with access to support services and counselling on offer to tackle any root causes which may be behind offending.

Another driving factor behind the scheme is to help free up officers and the courts, making way for more serious offences to be heard more swiftly.

Ch Insp Bosson added: “If a panel decides to send a young person on a mentor scheme, instead of issue a court summons, that’s not only a better outcome for that individual who can now benefit from their experience with law enforcement, but it also helps officers and the courts to focus on bringing more serious perpetrators to justice and safeguarding their victims.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness added: “It is vitally important that we break the cycle of criminality and give young people in particular a chance to avoid a life of crime, and strong role models with lived experience of turning lives around is a key part of that.

“That’s why I am proud to be backing our police by introducing  new Youth Navigators later this year. They will work directly with young people and their families to address the root cause that led them to commit crime.

“If we stop young adults going on to commit more crime we can free up our police to get on with the job of keeping us safe.”

Young people who commit serious offences, continually fall foul of the law or who are arrested and kept on remand will not be eligible for an out of court disposal.

THE PCC’S SAFER STREETS SURVEY OF PEOPLE IN THE NORTHUMBRIA POLICE FORCE AREA FOUND:

• 42% FEEL UNSAFE OR VERY UNSAFE AT NIGHT (COMPARED TO 11% DURING THE DAY)
• 62% FEEL UNSAFE OR VERY UNSAFE AT PARKS AT NIGHT
• 41% FEEL UNSAFE OR VERY UNSAFE ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT AT NIGHT
• ACROSS ALL ENVIRONMENTS 61% SAID THEY FELT SAFE OR VERY SAFE DURING THE DAY

TOO uncomfortable to catch the bus home but too worried to take the walk through the park – that’s the dilemma faced by some people in our region according to a recent Safer Streets survey led by Kim McGuinness.

The survey, asked people of the North East, particularly women, to share their experiences and views about what makes them feel uncomfortable or even frightened when they are out and about, day or night.

The figures and experiences shared are being used by the Commissioner to support an application for Home Office funding, specifically aimed at tackling violence against women and girls, in the wake of the shocking death of Sarah Everard in London.

Findings of the survey show that across the region, in all environments, people feel much less safe when it gets dark. At night time, 42 per cent of those who responded said they felt ‘unsafe or very unsafe’, compared, reassuringly, to just 11 per cent during the day.

People also said they felt most safe in their neighbourhood during the day, and least safe in their nearest park, which was the same at night.

Overall responses for Northumbria revealed that during the day time, 47 per cent felt ‘safe or very safe’ on public transport, compared to only 14 per cent at night.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “The horrific experience of Sarah Everard has to be a moment for change and to make change happen we need to listen.

“Safety isn’t just about police – now is an opportunity to rethink public safety whether it’s practical solutions light CCTV and improved lighting or greater education around respect for women and behaviours that are just unacceptable.

“I’ll be sending these findings to Government with a very clear message that ministers must back these concerns with funds that allow us to do something about it. The findings aren’t all bad and yes, on the whole, we are still one of the safest regions, thankfully, but we’re clearly not safe enough.

“It’s the simple things in life”, she continued. “There are people who have got in touch saying they feel too uncomfortable to catch the bus home at night but are too worried to take the walk home through the park – that’s a dilemma faced by some people in our region and it shouldn’t be. We need real solutions to make our region safer for everyone.”

The survey was launched to coincide with an invite to Police and Crime Commissioners to apply for cash from the Home Office’s £25m Safer Streets 3 programme aimed at improving safety in public spaces.

Kim McGuinness went on to explain: “Now we have the survey responses, which we are very thankful for, we’re in the process of getting lots of heads together, to draw up plans as to how we could fix the problems people are telling me about.

“I’m confident we have a very strong case as to why our region is crying out for this funding and I’ll keep people updated on our proposals in the coming weeks. With the right funding in place I know we could make some big changes that would benefit everyone. We could really improve lives and prevent crime here in the North East.”

ENDS

Thousands of school children have seen the reality of carrying a knife after Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness funded specialist education sessions.

Over the last school year, the PCC’s Violence Reduction Unit worked with almost 3,500 children and young people to raise awareness of knife crime and the impact of carrying a knife, despite the restrictions in place due to lockdown.

The Education Team delivered interactive sessions for young people in schools and youth groups with a focus on awareness and prevention of knife crime.

The sessions covered why young people might carry a knife, the law, as well as providing advice on additional information and support. An incredible 152 sessions were delivered to young people throughout the North East, as part of a long-term ambition to fight crime.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness said: “It is vitally important that we continue to educate young people to provide them with the knowledge to make positive decisions for the future. I am delighted by how many young people my Violence Reduction Unit have engaged with and I encourage anyone in a school or youth setting to contact the team to arrange a session”.

During the pandemic the number of offences involving a knife dropped by 8% and hospital admissions for assault were down. Ms McGuiness added: “Although our region is very safe there is always a possibility that crime could increase as we come out of lockdown. Therefore, we must engage young people now to ensure they are diverted from crime by having the right support and opportunities. My Violence Reduction Unit are here to ensure that Northumbria Police are not alone in standing up to violent crime.”

The Education Team recently delivered a knife crime session at Barnardo’s Employment Training Skills North in North Shields. Helen Skea, Curriculum Lead said: “We had a great session with all the young people within our centre in partnership with Northumbria Youth Action. The session was about raising awareness of knife crime and the students were educated on the consequences and impact of carrying knives, not just for themselves but also for their family, friends and community. All our students have left the session with the clear understanding of the implications and devastating impacts and not to carry knives. In addition learners are now more aware of where to get advice and support in particular the #knifefree website and Fearless (Crimestoppers).”

Training is also available to those who work with young people to ensure they have an understanding of issues relating to knife crime such as the law and factors that increase a person’s vulnerability to becoming both a perpetrator and a victim.

For more information or to arrange an education session, please contact the Violence Reduction Unit by email VRU@northumbria-pcc.gov.uk.

Newcastle United Foundation and Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness are celebrating a major milestone as part of an ongoing project to protect, educate and inspire young people to live a life away from crime.

Since 2019, the official charity arm of Newcastle United has worked closely with the PCC’s Violence Reduction Unit to provide interventions and support for children and teenagers aged eight to 14 who are on the fringes of criminal or anti-social activity.

Now, two years on from launching the YOLO project, the Foundation has successfully provided direct mentorship support and positive interventions for 103 young people in the past year through more than 500 hours of face-to-face delivery during the pandemic.

Delivered by a dedicated team of Foundation staff, YOLO offers one-to-one support in schools and community settings, with sessions educating youngsters about drug and alcohol abuse, laws and consequences, county lines operations and targeted interventions to suit each individual.

To mark the two-year anniversary since YOLO began, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness met with participants and staff at a Newcastle United Foundation Premier League Kicks session to see the initiative in action.

Kicks, also delivered by the Foundation, provides free weekly football for children and teenagers from Berwick to Gateshead and is an informal way to engage young people who could or have benefitted from YOLO intervention.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “I know the Foundation really well and they totally get it – if we are truly going to fight crime, we need to get ahead of it, and prevent it from happening in the first place.

“Making sure young people have access to positive activities, role models and support is vital – and this is what YOLO is all about.”

She continued: “My Violence Reduction Unit has worked with the project right from the beginning – it’s a key project for us as it gets kids on the right track and steers them away from trouble.

“Grassroots projects like this can, and do, make a real difference to young lives and it’s so important that we reach young people before it’s too late.”

Through face-to-face interaction, activity packs and physical activity, an amazing 87 per cent of participants exiting the YOLO programme report felling more confident, able to set and achieve goals and are feeling more optimistic about their future.

Jacqueline Critchley, Newcastle United Foundation Youth Violence Project Coordinator, said: “It has been a pleasure to welcome Kim to our Redheugh Kicks session and to introduce her to some of our incredible participants who we work closely with week-in and week-out.

“It’s been particularly challenging for children and teenagers during the last year and we’ve been in constant contact with each individual to ensure they are supported to engage with schoolwork, spend time with family and friends and stay active.

“Our YOLO sessions are really there to target and address the needs of each young person and to equip them with the skills and confidence in themselves to move away from a lifestyle that will hurt and negatively affect them, their loved ones and the general public.

“Alongside the PCC and Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, we truly believe that we can improve lives to prevent crime in the future and there is no better time to do this than at the start of life.”

For more information on the YOLO project, please visit nufoundation.org.uk or alternatively visit the PCC’s Violence Reduction Unit website here.

“We are both committed and determined to recruit the best people from across the wonderfully diverse communities we are so privileged to be a part of here in the North East”

That’s the message from our Chief Constable and the Police and Crime Commissioner as 62 new police officers take up roles with Northumbria Police as part of the on-going recruitment drive.

This means a total of 553 new recruits have joined Northumbria Police since March 2020.

Yesterday (Monday), officers were welcomed to the Force by Chief Constable Winton Keenen and Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness.

Chief Constable Keenen said: “We want people who are passionate about protecting other people and delivering a public service we can all be proud of – people who bring a wide and diverse range of experience, skills and abilities. 

“Northumbria Police has consistently provided the very best service possible and we need officers who will continue to reach those high standards and build on the efforts of the many exceptional officers who have gone before them.

“We have worked very hard to maintain our recruitment targets during the on-going pandemic and this highlights the commitment everyone in Northumbria Police has towards keeping up with and getting ahead of the ever-changing demands faced by modern-day policing.”

He added: “Welcoming new recruits is a great part of the job – we are bringing in some excellent people who will help ensure we keep doing what we do to the very best of our abilities.

“A career in policing brings an enviable opportunity to make a real and lasting difference to the lives of others, helping and protecting them often whilst at their most vulnerable.

“Putting yourself in this position undoubtedly brings challenges and anyone considering joining Northumbria Police can be assured they will become part of a hugely supportive team who want to bring out the best in one another.”

The new recruits will replace retiring officers, while also increasing existing 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: “I’ve loved meeting all the new faces who are joining Northumbria Police.

“People tell me they want more police to be fighting crime in their area and we are delivering on this.

“Together, with the Chief Constable, not only are we recruiting more frontline officers, but we are smashing government recruitment targets. And it’s not all about numbers. We’re fortunate to have so many high calibre candidates, like those I met yesterday, who are coming through what is a very competitive recruitment process.

“The world of policing is constantly evolving and so having new talent on board from a range of backgrounds, to work alongside our experienced officers, will really strengthen our force. So today is about congratulating the new starters and thanking them on behalf of the public for choosing a career dedicated to keeping our local communities safe and I wish every one of them the very best.”

Are you ready to help others and make a difference in people’s lives? Our current officer recruitment closes at midnight on Thursday, so head over to our careers website today to sign up for a registration event: https://careers.northumbria.police.uk/police-constables/