The A&E Navigator initiative is making significant strides in its mission to tackle serious youth violence in Sunderland, with exciting plans to replicate the project in Northumberland to foster safer communities.

Since its launch, the programme has provided vital support to young people from 10 to 25 years, presenting in A&E for injuries or concerns related to violent crime, with 34% of those engaged receiving additional tailored support in their local communities.

Reducing hospital admissions for knife related serious violence is a top priority for the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, which identified A&E departments as crucial points of contact.

Whilst hospital teams provide year round safeguarding support, specialist A&E Navigators are on hand during busy Friday and Saturday evenings to identify and connect with vulnerable young people in Sunderland Royal Hospital, offering a ‘teachable moment’ when they are more likely to be open to receiving support and intervention.

This collaborative effort brings together key partners, including the Violence Reduction Unit, Waythrough, Sunderland Royal Hospital and Together for Children, all focused on the health, wellbeing and interests of young people to divert them from crime.

The ongoing success of the initiative underscores the importance of early intervention, and the upcoming rollout in Northumberland sets out to replicate these positive outcomes.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth said: “The A&E Navigator initiative is proving extremely effective in addressing youth violence in Sunderland, and while still in its early stages, the results we are seeing are truly encouraging.”

“I’ve witnessed the impact of this project first-hand, along with the inspiring dedication of the team behind it, and a strong partnership approach that made it possible. As we prepare to roll out this great work in Northumberland, I look forward to seeing this momentum grow even further.”

“We must keep doing everything we can to break the cycle of violence, and this project not only helps achieve this, but also connects young people with the support they need for a brighter future. Together, we’re building safer, stronger communities for everyone.”

Hannah Evans, Service Manager at Waythrough, said: “The Sunderland Royal programme has made a significant impact for many young people so far. The team has an unwavering commitment to all of the people they support and are passionate about breaking the cycle of violence through empowering people to create lasting change. We are honoured to be a part of this initiative, and we are looking forward to supporting even more people in the future in Northumberland.”

Dave Bramley, Clinical Director for Emergency Care at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Sunderland Royal Hospital, said: “We welcomed the Hospital Link workers to our A&E at Sunderland Royal back in April. We recognise the support they are able to offer someone hurt during a violent incident at what will be a crucial time in their life.”

“They’re asked to step in and speak to any patient aged from 10 up to 25 if they come to us for treatment because of an assault during those two evenings. That’s across both our children’s and adult emergency departments and it is part of the wider work we do to help protect young people from harm.”

“Our hope is this kind of intervention has a long term impact to help prevent any further instances of harm, both to that patient and others. We’re grateful for the input this project has into our teams.”

Simon Marshall, Director of Children’s Services for Together for Children said: “Being part of the Navigator initiative has meant key partners in Sunderland have been able to collectively work together to tackle the important issues of youth violence in the city. We are encouraged by the initial findings of the programme and fully support any initiatives that help young people to access the help and support they need which will make a long-term difference to their lives. The programme being rolled out across Northumberland is testament to the effectiveness of the project and the strength of the partnership, ensuring best practice and invaluable learnings are being shared across the region to the benefit of all.”

For more information about the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, visit the website.

With winter approaching and popular celebrations such as bonfire night, Christmas and New Year just around the corner, a comprehensive programme of preventative activity is underway to reduce serious violence and keep communities safe.

Earlier this year, the Violence Reduction Unit’s Seasonal Violence Fund supported targeted initiatives throughout the summer, with efforts including increased visible police patrols and positive youth activities, resulting in reductions of up to 36% in violent crime in some hotspot areas.

Building on this success, and with winter fast approaching, the focus has shifted to addressing potential challenges that come with the darker nights, particularly as celebrations often increase social gatherings, alcohol consumption and late-night events.

Through a collaborative effort with the Violence Reduction Unit, Community Safety Partnerships, Northumbria Police and youth organisations, high-impact projects are being rolled out in hotspots across the Northumbria force area to ensure resources are directed where they are needed most.

Preventative measures will see extra patrols, taxi marshals and youth activities amongst some of the planned activities, all tailored to curb potential rises in winter violence as the darker nights set in.

In Gateshead, neighbourhood police teams and council licensing staff are using local intelligence and working closely with licensed premises to monitor and prevent violence linked to the night-time economy.

In Newcastle, a multi-agency taskforce is carrying out patrols in city centre hotspots during evening and weekends, with staff receiving additional training to better understand the risks of knife crime and vulnerability.

In North Tyneside, a range of targeted operations are focused on reducing violent crime, especially in areas that become busier during the longer nights.

In Northumberland, officers are taking a data-driven approach to tackling violence with a key focus on alcohol-related incidents and the night-time economy.

In South Tyneside, a series of sports activities and youth initiatives are in place to keep young people engaged in positive activities during the winter months.

In Sunderland, taxi marshals and increased patrols are there to help reassure the public and reduce disorder during the city’s night-time economy.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth said: “The safety and well-being of our communities is paramount, and this targeted activity is a crucial step in our continued efforts to keep people safe, especially during the darker nights.”

“I’ve spent time in local communities, listening to your concerns and ideas, and the activity we have underway directly reflect your priorities. As winter approaches and we are all spending more time out and about, we want to make sure we do everything we can to keep you safe.”

“With the combined efforts of the Violence Reduction Unit, Community Safety Partnerships, Northumbria Police and local youth organisations, we are united in our approach to making our streets safer and communities stronger.”

For more information about the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, visit the website.

More than 200 schools across the Northumbria force area have signed up to deliver Pol-Ed, an innovative educational programme designed to enhance learning around healthy relationships, staying safe, and understanding the law.

With a key focus on prevention and community cohesion, Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit and Northumbria Police have joined forces to bring Pol-Ed to local schools, benefitting thousands of children from primary through to secondary levels.

This initiative is part of a wider effort to combat anti-social behaviour, crime and violence through early intervention, with Pol-Ed promoting a proactive approach to education.

Developed by teachers for teachers, Pol-Ed has been praised for its ease of use and alignment with the existing Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) curriculum.

The new resources will help reach more young people at the earliest point, and complements the current awareness sessions delivered by the Violence Reduction Unit and Northumbria Police education teams.

The lessons and supporting resources cover a wide range of topics, from safeguarding to community safety, designed to help young people understand the consequences of harmful behaviours, and ensuring they are better equipped to make informed and positive decisions.

By fostering awareness of these issues early on, young people can help play their part in creating safer and stronger communities throughout the region.

Speaking about the positive uptake from schools, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth said: “Prevention is the key to building safer, stronger communities, and this programme provides teachers with the tools they need to help children stay safe and understand the law. I’m delighted that more than 200 schools have already committed to rolling out Pol-Ed, and the feedback from teachers has been overwhelmingly positive.”

“The Pol-Ed resources have been made available for free to every school across the Northumbria force area, and my special thanks go to West Yorkshire Police for developing the programme.

“So, if your school hasn’t signed up yet, I strongly encourage you to do so. The team are on hand to guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have. Together, we can make a real difference.”

Chief Superintendent Joanne Park-Simmons, of Northumbria Police’s Prevention Department, said: “Prevention is one of our Force priorities and we are absolutely committed to using this tactic to ensure our communities remain among the safest places to live, work and visit in the country.”

“The innovative Pol-Ed programme is a fantastic project which gets across to youngsters the seriousness of being involved in anti-social behaviour and other forms of crime.”

“I’d like to thank the 200 schools who have signed up to the project so far and encourage others who haven’t yet got involved to do so. Your co-operation is key in helping us to educate future generations and keep our young people safe.”

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

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Young people across the Northumbria force area have successfully secured nearly £16,000 in funding to lead a series of innovative, youth-driven projects aimed at tackling knife crime and reducing anti-social behaviour.

The funding, awarded through the Violence Reduction Unit’s Local Youth Fund, empowers young people to develop creative solutions that they believe will prevent serious violence and improve safety in their communities.

With 9 projects set to receive a share of the funding, each initiative is designed and delivered by young people, with the aim of creating safe spaces, and offering peers alternatives to crime and violence.

From sports programmes to educational workshops, these projects reflect a wide variety of approaches to preventing serious violence and fostering community cohesion.

A panel of young people had the challenging task of selecting the winning projects from an impressive pool of applications, highlighting their drive to make a real and lasting difference in the region.

The 9 funded projects include:

• Weekly football sessions: A 20-week football programme providing young people with a physical activity and a safe environment to discuss the impact of knife crime, healthy relationships and personal safety with peers.
• Monthly Member Meetings: A forum for young people to raise concerns, engage with guest speakers on key issues, and present their solutions to community leaders.
• Free Boxing Sessions: A Friday night boxing programme giving young people the chance to keep fit, do something positive, and discourage anti-social activity.
• Multi-Sport Programme: A six-week programme offering young people the chance to try MMA, dodgeball, football and more, providing a platform to hold discussions about knife crime, learn new skills and build friendships.
• Awareness Campaign: A group of young people will create some educational materials highlighting the dangers of carrying knives, and presenting at local school assemblies.
• Photography Project: A creative project, which will see young people explore feelings of safety in their community, and through utilising photography, they will capture the issues faced and suggest solutions.
• Culture Day Celebrating Diversity: An event organised by young people to celebrate diversity and educate attendees through art, history, performances and food, promoting unity and understanding.
• Film-Making Workshop: A weekly workshop, which will see young people create a film focused on community cohesion, resulting in a local cinema screening it to showcase local pride.
• Against Knife Crime Project: A project creating a safe space for young people to discuss serious violence, culminating in the development of an awareness video and community football match.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth congratulated the young people, saying: “It’s truly inspiring to see young people stepping up and taking the lead in creating safer and stronger communities. These projects, funded by the Violence Reduction Unit, not only help prevent serious violence but also give young people the opportunity to develop crucial life skills, boost their confidence, and provide them with a sense of ownership and accomplishment as they bring their ideas to life.”

“The creativity and passion demonstrated by the applicants has been remarkable, and I know the selection process was incredibly tough. I can’t wait to see these fantastic projects in action and to meet the brilliant young people who developed them.”

Steven Hume, Director of the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, added: “Through the Local Youth Fund, we’re giving young people a platform to be heard, to take action, and to create lasting change in their communities. It’s vital that they are part of the conversation around crime prevention, and these projects are a fantastic example of what can happen when young people feel empowered to make a difference.”

For more information about the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit and the Local Youth Fund, visit the website.

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PROJECT SHIELD’ PRAISED AS SERIOUS VIOLENCE FALLS BY A QUARTER ACROSS HOTPSOT AREAS IN NORTHUMBRIA

HIGH visibility patrols rolled out through Project Shield have helped towards a significant decrease in serious violence across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, says Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth.

Police figures show serious violence has fallen by 23 per cent across hot spot areas, compared to the same period the year before. In Sunderland City Centre the fall has been 25 per cent – a welcome and reassuring reduction after the scenes of civil unrest earlier this year.

The Project Shield hotspot policing approach sees high visibility patrols and targeted activity specifically rolled out in areas of previous concern. It aims to deter crime and reassure the local community. Additional patrols and activity provide the opportunity to prevent crime and gather important intelligence.

So far this year, the project has helped deliver nearly 6000 additional hours of foot patrols in the 15 hotspot areas, working alongside Nexus, stagecoach, British Transport Police and all six local authorities in the Northumbria Police force area.

As well as law enforcement action, crime deterrence and community engagement, those involved in the project have also been coming together to focus on the root causes of serious violence and devise long term plans to help prevent it. The Northumbria Violence Reduction is also playing a key part in preventing spikes in serious violence through its Seasonal Violence Fund. This delivers projects working closely with Community Safety Partnerships, Northumbria Police and a range of youth and community organisations, in a bid to tackle serious violence together and steer young people away from criminality.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “Not only are these results really encouraging, but I am also finding people that speak to me when I’m out in these communities or attending meetings are saying the same thing – they’ve been noticing more officers and crucially, they’ve been feeling safer. When I was elected, I made a commitment to delivering safer streets and stronger communities and I am grateful to Northumbria Police and all our partners working on this project because this targeted approach is paying off – it’s stopping serious harm from happening. People need to feel safe and comfortable when they’re going about living their lives and we’re really committed to keeping the momentum up with this work to show we are listening and responding to the concerns of residents and businesses.”

Chief Superintendent Joanne Park-Simmons, of Northumbria Police, said: “These are very welcoming figures as we and our partner organisations continue to work hard to further reduce serious violence across our communities. The public and those working in businesses should rest assured that much more Project Shield activity is planned in the upcoming weeks and months to keep people safe, deter crime and positively engage with people. If you have any concerns over anti-social behaviour or crime in your area, then please do not hesitate to contact us so that we can take the appropriate action, while also further building on our intelligence picture around any issues affecting our communities.”

Cllr Kelly Chequer, Deputy Leader of Sunderland City Council, and Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Safer Communities, said: “It is a high priority for us that our residents are safe when they are out and about in the city centre, and we work closely with our partners to help everyone feel safe and reassured, so I am delighted to see the difference Project Shield is making already. It is reassuring to see some excellent early results. Our Neighbourhood Enforcement Team will continue its high visibility patrols and engagement with residents and businesses to not only tackle violent crime but also get to the bottom of the issues that cause it.”

Project Shield is a force-wide project to protect communities by tackling serious violence and antisocial behaviour in hotspot areas. Project Shield investment was secured by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria through the ASB Hotspot Response Fund and will run until March 2025.

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Powerful awareness sessions have been developed to reach young people with the right information at the earliest point, educating them on the risks of violent disorder, rioting and joint enterprise, along with the consequences of being involved.

This follows the recent unrest that has since seen 16 charged, including a teenager, for their violent, hate-fuelled behaviour, which set out to threaten the safety and well-being of local communities.

The new packages will see the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit join forces with Northumbria Police’s Prevention Team, a critical step in preventing this behaviour by educating the next generation together.

This joint initiative, designed to educate young people aged 9 to 18 years, equips them with an understanding of the laws, impact and consequences of violent disorder, riots and joint enterprise, including how to stay safe, and make informed decisions.

Tailored to meet the needs of diverse local communities, the packages will be delivered through a variety of methods, ensuring they are accessible and impactful for everyone.

The highly trained and experienced teams from the Violence Reduction Unit and Northumbria Police are on hand to deliver the sessions, and several youth organisations have already received comprehensive materials to engage directly with the young people they work with.

With this flexible approach, it ensures that important messages reach as many young people as possible, whilst enabling conversation with their peers, as they receive the information needed to keep themselves and others safe.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth said: “The recent appalling unrest has had a devastating impact on our communities, but we have shown in our thousands that violence and hatred has no place in our villages, towns and cities. Northumbria Police have already made speedy progress in bringing those responsible to justice, but we also need to put a stop to this violent behaviour. That’s why it is incredibly important to educate our young people, making sure they have the right information at the earliest point.”

“Through the Violence Reduction Unit and Northumbria Police, we are taking proactive steps with this new programme to educate young people about the dangers of violence and disorder. But, this is not just about prevention – it’s about empowering young people to make informed decisions that will keep them safe. Together, we can build safer and stronger communities.”

Chief Superintendent Joanne Park-Simmons, who heads up Northumbria Police’s Prevention Department, said: “Prevention remains one our Force priorities and this is something we are committed to. These awareness sessions are of vital importance as we look to educate our young people and teach them of the extreme consequences of becoming involved in the kind of behaviour we unfortunately saw earlier this month.

“Together alongside the Police and Crime Commissioner, our Violence Reduction Unit and Prevention Team intend to engage with these young people, through various ways, so that they have the correct information and can make informed decisions.

“This will help in ensuring our communities continue to be the welcoming places to live, work and visit, that we know they are.”

Recently announcing a curriculum review to embed critical skills in lessons to arm children against disinformation, fake news and conspiracy theories, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said this will “give pupils the knowledge and skills they need to thrive at work and throughout life”.

Youth organisations and schools across the region are encouraged to take advantage of these new resources. For more information, or to schedule a session, please email vru@northumbria-pcc.gov.uk.

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