VICTIMS in the Northumbria Police force area can now search for specialist support at the click of a button – thanks to a new directory launched by police and crime commissioner, Susan Dungworth.

Featured on the PCC’s website, the new search tool, launched today Wednesday 20^th August allows victims and witnesses to search for emotional and practical support in their local authority area.

The directory includes details of local and national organisations, funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office, and features a description of the help available.

You can access it via the PCC’s website and it has been designed to ensure it’s simple, user-friendly and suitable for all ages.

The Commissioner wants to encourage anyone looking for support for themselves or people they know, to make use of the directory to help find the right support that best meets their needs.

Specialist support is available to those who have experienced crimes such as domestic abuse, serious violence and hate crime.

Victims and Justice is one of six key priorities outlined in Susan’s police and crime plan for safer streets and stronger communities, launched earlier this year.

The new directory is one way she is delivering on her commitment to improving awareness of the support available for adult and child victims and ensuring it is easily accessible.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said:

“Being a victim of crime can have a devastating impact on people’s lives. I want to raise awareness of the wide range of support that is there to help and make it as accessible as possible for people – this directory is here to help with that.

“I would always encourage anyone who has had a crime committed against them to call the police, who will signpost you to support options, but I understand that going to the police is not for everyone, and is something some people need to build up to over time. This is why a directory like this is so important – anyone can visit the website and find the type of support they want to receive when they are ready, with or without police involvement.”

Susan continued: “When I started as PCC, I was impressed by the services we commission through the office, and I want to shout about all the support that’s there to help victims and their families cope and recover from their experiences.

So, we have been busy working on a brand-new directory as part of our ongoing wok to improve the victim experience and provide the best possible level of support to victims of crime in Northumbria.

“Support of all kinds is available, from counselling right through to helping guide victims through the criminal justice system. Whatever the crime and whether or not it was reported to the police doesn’t matter. The crime could have happened yesterday of 10 years ago – that doesn’t matter either. I want victims, survivors, relatives all to know this directory is there for them to find the right support whenever the time is right for them. My thanks go to everyone who has assisted in the preparation of this digital resource and who is helping promote it to victims.”

Th directory lists support services that are funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. It will be updated on annual basis reflecting services commissioned for the year ahead.

To access the directory – press the ‘Get Support’ button on the website home page, or click here.

MINISTER PRAISES BEST PRACTICE IN SUPPORTING VICTIMS ON VISIT TO NORTHUMBRIA

THIS week Ministry of Justice Victims Minister MP Alex Davies Jones travelled to the North East to meet with Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), frontline professionals and strategic partners to hear more about how victims of crime are being supported across the force area.

The visit included a tour of the region’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), known as The Angel Centre, where she heard first-hand about the work taking place to support those who have been sexually assaulted. Funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and NHS England, the purpose-built facility provides a vital role in helping survivors cope and recover from sexual assault, as well as assisting with forensic recovery should victims wish to seek a criminal justice outcome and take offenders before the courts. It’s one of the first SARCs in the country working towards official accreditation for meeting key standards.

The Minister also asked about the Northumbria Victims of Crime Survey, launched last week. The survey is seeking views and experiences of victims and service providers to help shape victim support services. The PCC hopes to identify where existing services are effective and accessible, as well as highlighting areas for improvement by identifying any unmet or emerging victim needs.

Discussions also covered:

• The benefits of the victim’s hub, Northumbria Victim and Witness Service (NVWS) and how it signposts to specialist services to help meet the needs of the victim.
• How collaborative relationships are built with service providers across the region
• Funding challenges and the need for sustainable long-term funding for specialist providers

Minister for Victims and tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), Alex Davies-Jones spoke about the government’s commitment to halving VAWG in the next decade and to create safer streets through its Plan for Change. She said:

“The voices of victims themselves are a vital tool in making our services stronger, streets safer, and justice system better.

“It was a pleasure to meet those on the frontline at Northumbria PCC and thank them for the important work they’re doing. I encourage victims in the area to take part in the survey and help shape the future of support services for others in need.”

More than 30,000 victims have been supported in 2024-25 through the services commissioned by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner which cover a range of specialist areas including sexual abuse, hate crime and violence.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “We were so pleased to welcome the Minister and her team to our area to showcase the vital work to support victims that’s happening locally.

“Since becoming PCC, I have seen the dedication of our teams and partners that’s making a real difference to victims every day and so it was great to have the opportunity to highlight how we operate, and talk about important services such as The Angel Centre.

“We want to make sure victims are at the centre of all the work we do – from reporting a crime to recovery and justice and we are continually seeking ways to improve. I want us to be leading the way whether that’s with early support or ongoing care. The Minister seemed pleased with the way we are doing things up here and our ongoing efforts to make sure the victims voice is heard through our new Northumbria Victims of Crime Survey.”

Jessica Redhead, Head of Health & Justice for NHS England, North East & North Cumbria region, said: “The best advice we can give to anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted is to use a SARC, which provides wrap around specialist care and support 24/7. These are tried and tested services which support men, women and children. They are accessible by self-referral and individuals do not have to report to the police to get help.

“We are committed to working closely with the region’s Police and Crime Commissioners, partners and our provider to ensure that victims and survivors of sexual violence continue to receive the highest quality support services.”

Assistant Chief Constable Alastair Simpson, of Northumbria Police, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to welcome the Minister and her team into our region and to demonstrate how Northumbria Police is unwavering in its pledge to protecting the vulnerable.

“We remain committed to making sure everyone who experiences any form of abuse receives the highest level of service possible.

“The Angel Centre is a fantastic site where victims having been receiving specialist and tailored support for almost two years now.

“Since it opened, it has undoubtedly assisted our investigations and enabled us to bring offenders to justice – but most importantly supported victims in those critical early stages after an offence has taken place.

“We would encourage anyone who has been subjected to any form of abuse to come forward so we can take the appropriate action.

“We’ll continue working alongside our partners and support organisations and eagerly await the results of the Northumbria Victims of Crime Survey so we can ensure we’re even better meeting victims’ needs.”

The North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) scored a number of major successes over the past year.

NEROCU delivers an increased response to tackling, disrupting and dismantling serious and organised crime that goes beyond Force borders in the North East region. They provide additional specialist support through effective partnership working and collaboration.

It has specialist capabilities, which are delivered regionally but available to all police forces. They work together to tackle organised crime groups involved in the likes of drugs and firearms supply, organised immigration crime, acquisitive crime, human trafficking and exploitation, money laundering and fraud, prison corruption and intel, and cyber related crimes.

Among the successes over the past year were:

• 44% increase in disruptions to criminal activity by the Cyber Team from 2023-24 to 2024-25.
• 80% increase in disruptions by The Regional Economic Crime Coordination Centre (RECCC) which targets crimes such as fraud and money laundering.
• 151 larger-scale disruptions in the sale and supply of drugs across the North East. Supporting North East forces’ own operations such as Op City- an investigation into an organised crime gang (OCG) involved in drugs supply.

Major successes during 2024-25 included:

Operation Mille – a national, cross-border operation to target Western Balkan OCGs. A total of 28 warrants executed across the three North East force areas, leading to nine arrests and seizure of over 4,784 cannabis plants with a street value of over £4.5 million.

Operation Green – an operation into the production of Cannabis in Cleveland. It uncovered plants to the value of £1.7 million as well as recovering a significant amount of cash, Class A drugs, illegal tobacco and suspected forged or fraudulent documents.

Operation Birchwood – a NEROCU-led investigation into serious and organised acquisitive crime in the Northumbria force area. It followed a series of high value burglaries which resulted in losses of over £1.3 Million. The four members of the OCG were arrested and subsequently sentenced to over 31 years imprisonment in total.

Operation Grape – an investigation into Organised Immigration Crime in the Durham area which was triggered when intelligence suggested people were living and working in unsafe conditions – including a woman and young child who were safeguarded.

NEROCU is part-funded by and works with North East Police and Crime Commissioners, Cleveland Police, Northumbria Police and Durham Constabulary under the banner of Operation Sentinel – the united regional response to tackling Serious and Organised Crime in all forms.

Assistant Chief Constable Alastair Simpson, NEROCU Senior Responsible Officer, said: “Our latest annual figures have really highlighted the outstanding work done by our specialist teams here at NEROCU.

“The work they do can be tough and complex but the dedication to their work is the reason so many threats to our communities are now behind bars.

“Our work cannot be done without the support of our fantastic regional police forces and the other partners we work with. Here in the North East, it is because we stand united against Serious and Organised Crime that we make the impact we do.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “Working with regional and national partners to protect our communities and tackle serious and organised crime is right up there in my list of priorities for Northumbria Police and I regularly meet with NEROCU partners to keep updated on developments which align with my Police and Crime Plan.

“It is evident real progress is being made in this area and I want residents to feel reassured that we’re coming down hard on crime gangs, large scale drug supplies have been disrupted and those masterminding high value burglaries have been caught and are behind bars. Countless operations have also led to the safeguarding of vulnerable people who have been exploited by these hardened criminals at the top of the chain. I am grateful of the co-ordinated efforts across the region to disrupt these criminals and protect people – it’s a key part of delivering safer streets and stronger communities.”

Regional organised crime units are an essential part in the fight against serious and organised crime. They provide the main link between the National Crime Agency and police forces in England and Wales.

If you want to find out more about the work being done to tackle Serious and Organised Crime in the North East you can visit the NEROCU website.

If you want to know more about what your Police and Crime Commissioner is doing in your area, you can visit their website:

Northumbria: Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner

NORTHUMBRIA Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, is conducting a survey to help shape victim support services available for people affected by crime across Northumberland and Tyne & Wear.

A key part of this ‘victim needs assessment’ is a survey inviting local people to have their say to help improve the experiences for future victims.

The PCC’s new Northumbria Victims of Crime Survey will run from Friday 1 August until 7 September.

It provides an opportunity for the PCC to hear the views of adults and young people affected by crime as well as the service providers and professional who help victims and survivors cope and recover from their experience.

More than 30,000 victims have been supported in 2024-25 through the services commissioned by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner which cover a range of specialist areas including sexual abuse, hate crime and violence.

By understanding people’s views and experiences, the PCC hopes to identify where existing services are effective and accessible, as well as highlighting areas for improvement by identifying any unmet or emerging victim needs.

This insight will help shape future support services in the local area and ensure those at the greatest risk of harm receive the support hat works best for them.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “I know the impact of crime can be life-changing but with help and support you can recover from your experience and get your life back on track, so we need to get this right.

“I want to make sure we understand people’s experiences in order to make sure we are supporting victims in our area as best we can. To do this we need to listen and put the voice of the victim at the centre of plans and improvements.

“And so with this survey, we are reaching out to those who have experienced crime and found themselves navigating the criminal justice system. With this survey I want to find out how well existing referral processes and support services are working, and where improvements might need to be made in the future. We can then feed this into plans as we look to commission services for 2026. By getting this right we are able to reach victims of crime with the best support to meet their needs and also ensure we are evolving provisions to meet new challenges and demands.”

Supporting victims is a key priority in the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan for safer streets and stronger communities. The Plan details commitments around working with Northumbria Police and the victim services to improve awareness of support and ensure its easily accessible, whether a crime has been reported to the police or not.

The Northumbria Victims of Crime Survey is a crucial part of the PCC’s ongoing commitment to support victims of crime and ensure that the services available are effective, comprehensive, and responsive to the needs of local communities.

The surveys can be found below:

• Victims of Crime
• Children & Young People
• Service Providers

Anyone affected by crime who needs help can speak to the Northumbria Victim and Witness Service by calling 0800 011 3116.

ENDS

Statement from the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth

“On your behalf, I meet regularly with the Chief Constable to scrutinise and challenge Northumbria Police, especially when service falls short of what is expected by the public.

One such issue I raised recently was the destruction of documents relating to the miners’ strike, including Orgreave.

Understandably, this raised concerns particularly from affected communities – concerns which Northumbria Police needs to address.

At the time, the Chief Constable assured me an investigation to fully understand the actions taken which led to the destruction of the material would be launched. I also sought her reassurance that every step would be taken to identify if any further material exists, either paper or digital, which may assist the public inquiry to establish the full facts as to events at Orgreave in 1984 – her reassurance was given.

Along with the Home Secretary, I have now been informed that this investigation is underway, and Northumbria Police is committed to fully cooperate with any national inquiry into what happened at Orgreave.

I will review the findings of the internal investigation with keen interest.”

More than 250,000 students across the region have now taken part in Pol-Ed, an innovative educational programme designed to help young people better understand the law, build healthy relationships, and stay safe from harm.

Developed in partnership with teachers and policing professionals, and fully aligned with the national PSHE curriculum, Pol-Ed equips students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to make informed, positive choices in their everyday lives.

Thanks to continued funding and support from the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit and partners, the programme is available free of charge, and has already been adopted by over 500 schools from across the force area, reflecting a growing demand for more preventative education.

In the last year, more than 4,500 Pol-Ed lessons and assemblies were delivered, covering a wide range of topics such as consent, healthy relationships, online safety, bullying, exploitation, and the consequences of criminal behaviour.

Pol-Ed is designed to encourage open and honest discussions in both primary and secondary school settings, helping to breakdown barriers, challenge misconceptions, and support young people to make safer decisions, while also helping practitioners identify those at risk earlier.

The initiative complements the wider awareness work delivered by the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit and Northumbria Police Education Teams, ensuring more young people not only recognise the risks but also feel empowered to seek help when they need it.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth said: “Communities have told me that they want to see more done to tackle serious and organised crime, which is why it’s a key priority in my police and crime plan. But to truly make a difference, we need to understand and address the underlying causes of violence, preventing crime before it even starts.

“That’s why reaching young people as early as possible is so important. We all want our children to grow up feeling safe, supported and confident in making the right choices, and Pol-Ed is one of the tools helping us achieve that.

“Having already reached over 250,000 students, this programme is making a real and lasting impact in our communities. It’s helping young people better understand the law, build healthy relationships, and recognise when something doesn’t feel right, empowering them to speak up and stay safe.

“But Pol-Ed isn’t just about delivering lessons and assemblies. It’s about having those honest conversations early on, and ensuring young people feel heard and supported. That’s how we build safer, stronger communities for everyone.

“My thanks to all the schools, teachers, and students who have already utilised these fantastic resources. Through ongoing support from the Northumbria Violence Reduction, Pol-Ed remains free to use, and I’d love to see every school in our region get involved.”

Sergeant Simon Reid, Problem Solving and Early Intervention at Northumbria Police, said: “Since May 2024, in partnership with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Violence Reduction Unit, we have been promoting Pol-Ed to all schools within our Force area. This includes encouraging our education partners to sign up and make use of the excellent resources available to them through the programme.

“Early intervention is a vital tool in our fight against crime and this tactic helps us to prevent people being harmed while also reducing the demands upon our public services. So far, 78 per cent of schools in our area have signed up to use Pol-Ed, with 4,513 lessons being delivered to a total of 251,080 young people.

“These are excellent figures and we are confident that the sessions are having a significant positive impact upon those taking part by giving them the knowledge they need to lead the best lives possible.”

Catherine Patrick, Assistant Head of Health Education at George Stephenson High School said: “We are absolutely delighted to be using the new Pol-Ed resources. They have quickly become an invaluable part of our PSHE curriculum. We particularly appreciate how the programme aligns with the PSHE Association guidelines while also offering its own age appropriate and well-structured content.”

“The inclusive activities, such as Think-Pair-Share and other interactive elements, really engage our students and encourage meaningful discussion. It’s been wonderful to see how these resources help build our students’ confidence, support their understanding of personal safety, and foster a positive and respectful school environment and within the wider community. The clarity, accessibility, and relevance of the topics make them an essential tool for modern PSHE delivery.”

Schools interested in signing up or learning more about Pol-Ed should contact Northumbria Police by email to school.liaison@northumbria.police.uk.

ENDS