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/

NORTHUMBRIA Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness is calling on the people in the North East, particularly women to have their say in the fight against crimes in public spaces like street harassment and violence.

Catching the Metro to work, taking the kids to the beach, walking home from a night out in the city centre – a new online survey aims to understand how safe people feel when going about their daily lives, in our region.

Police and Crime Commissioners have been invited to apply for a Home Office fund specifically aimed at tackling violence against women and girls. And so, Kim McGuinness really wants to hear from local residents about their experiences and what makes them feel uncomfortable or even frightened when they are out and about, day or night.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “Our region, thankfully, is one of the safest but I am more than aware there are still places and situations where people feel unsafe and vulnerable and we need to do something about it.

“The terrible experience of Sarah Everard in London struck a chord with so many women I know and the spotlight is on women’s safety now more than ever, and rightly so. Sarah should have been safe, and she wasn’t.

“So I want people to make the most of this opportunity to speak out and tell me what they think so we can improve safety in our region and improve lives for everyone.

“I want to be in a position where we can deliver some really serious solutions to people’s worries and concerns and we want to hear what could be done to make people feel safer.

“We’re lucky to have some wonderful women’s support networks and organisations in our region doing amazing things to help women feel safe but we can all do more. There might be some practical fixes for some areas like more lighting, CCTV and so on, but I really want us to think about creative ways to improve safety as well as the bigger cultural changes that are needed too. Education around attitudes, values and respect for others has to play a part. And this all ties in with the prevention work we have happening in schools and youth organisations through my Violence Reduction Unit.”

“I am determined to make some real improvements in this area and I am grateful to everyone who feels able to share their thoughts and experiences with me, I do understand it’s not always easy but it will help inform plans to keep our communities safe.”

The survey responses will inform a bid for Home Office cash from the £25m Safer Streets 3 programme. The programme focuses on improving the safety of public spaces, particularly addressing crimes that disproportionately affect women and girls and putting measures in place to make people feel safe when in they are out and about.

The survey was launched today and will run until 21 June. Survey findings will be incorporated into the Safer Streets 3 bids, which have to be submitted by 15 July 2021. The Government is expected to announce successful bids at the end of August.

The survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. To take the survey, go to: http://bit.ly/NorthumbriaSSFR3

KIM MCGUINNESS – Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner – has warned that more and more children from the North East are leaving their home region to pursue county lines work in other parts of the UK.

Her concerns were raised following what PCC McGuinness hailed a robust and successful County Lines Intensification Week for the police force which saw 23 arrests made, as part of tough action to fight crime across the region.

County Lines is a form of criminal exploitation where criminals persuade, coerce and force children and young people to store drugs and money or transport them to other areas.

Recently, children as young as 13 have been caught working as drugs runners for criminals operating within our region, with some even relocating to other parts of the UK where County Lines is a bigger problem and there is more work as ‘drugs runners’ on offer.

Last week a large-scale County Lines clampdown resulted in 23 people arrested and seized more than £20,000 in criminal cash.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “Northumbria Police is pulling out all the stops– the raids, the covert operations, they’re doing it all to get on top of this as a region, but fighting this crime is not a job for our officers alone.

“Drug dealing is a dangerous world and we have to stop our young people getting caught up in a cycle of fear and violence. That’s why youth and outreach workers have such a vital part to play in the solution and it pains me that these services have been cut time and time again by Government.

She continued: “As well as searching for the dealers, the search is on for the children they prey on so we can look after them – they are the victims, not the criminals here. It’s a real concern how we are hearing of more and more children getting embroiled in moving drugs for gangs and they’re ending up all over the country.

“We can’t – and won’t let – the North East become a go-to place fore recruiting and exploiting young people. Youth and outreach workers have to be part of the solution more than ever – it’s a no brainer. My Violence Reduction Unit will keep working closely with organisations like Edge North East who reach out to young people in their time of need; they listen, they work with them and help ensure they’re safe. Whatever mess victims find themselves in, with the right support they can get out of it and out of a life of crime.”

Collette Devlin-Smith, from Edge North East, said they had seen an increase in young people becoming involved County Lines over the past few years, not helped by lockdown increasing young people’s vulnerability.

She said: “It’s a big problem you know. Young people often don’t see themselves as victims. They can be completely brainwashed. It’s grooming. There are kids going missing from home and from care all the time. It’s like they get sucked it – more drugs, more rewards, maybe they feel pressured to rise through the ranks of the gangs to survive. But it’s happening to children from our region – we have victims right here on our doorstep – and we often end up finding them far away, far from home. Without support and a place to turn to, to trust for help to get out, it’s frightening to think where they might end up.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Aelfwynn Sampson, who runs Northumbria Police’s Crime department said:

“The ripple effects of this type of criminality are far reaching and can have a significant impact on those involved as well as those living in the communities we serve.

“County Lines is an aggressive, often violent method of drug dealing which relies heavily on the exploitation of the vulnerable and young people, with many of them unaware of what is even happening to them. And this is completely unacceptable.

“As a Force, we are working hard to ensure this appalling practice does not take a hold in our region.

“As well as taking part in national intensification periods, we regularly carry out a range of activity as part of Operation Sentinel which includes targeted strikes and arrests aimed at shutting down the deal lines and pursuing offenders, to working with our partners to ensure vulnerable victims are identified and safeguarded.

“We would ask the public, especially parents, to work with us and report any concerns to help us put a stop to this despicable method of drug dealing.”