A new diversion service is being rolled out across the region, which will place specialist staff in hospitals and local communities to tackle violent crime, by reaching young people before it is too late.

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

The bespoke service will provide full support and structured interventions for young people, under the age of 25, to reduce their risk of committing serious violence and to prevent them being exploited for crime.

Initially, A&E Navigators will be present within the emergency departments of Sunderland’s Royal Hospital and Newcastle’s RVI, to identify young people who have come in with injuries or concerns linked to violent crime.

Specialist staff will then be on hand in local communities to deliver a range of interventions that are tailored to address individual needs as well as providing support to young people and their families, through one-to-one or group sessions.

The Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit is working in partnership with Humankind Charity to provide the wrap around support and access to services, focusing on the health, wellbeing and interests of the young person to divert them from crime and reduce re-offending.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “To bring an end to violent crime, we need to prevent it from happening in the first place. That’s why the Violence Reduction Unit works to educate young people on the dangers of becoming involved in crime, identifying those already showing signs of serious violence and addressing any risks in their life that could make them vulnerable to exploitation from organised crime groups. This new service provides a unique opportunity to reach young people at the point they are accessing our hospital A&E departments, with dedicated staff in place to understand what has led them to that moment and prevent it from happening time and time again. Community based staff will then provide tailored interventions and support for young people and their families, to break the cycle of violent crime.”

She added: Positive activities and interventions help us to address an individual’s needs, focus on areas of their life and take steps to improve it – things like re-engaging with education or training and employment opportunities all help to provide a deterrence from crime and to live a life without violence.”

Assistant Director for Community Services at Humankind Charity, Faye Simpson, said: “We are proud of our work providing comprehensive support to young people to improve their health and wellbeing outcomes and believe this work makes a lasting difference to the quality of their lives. We are looking forward to working in partnership with the Police and Crime Commissioner, which will allow us to extend our outreach activity and engage with more people who might not usually come forward for support.”

For more information, please contact the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit by email vru@northumbria-pcc.gov.uk

ENDS

Another action packed summer is set to get underway in a bid to stop spikes in violent crime and keep people safe.  

Having successfully piloted this approach last year, summer violence dropped by 12.2% and continued on this downward trend throughout the winter with a 10% reduction in offences, in targeted areas.  

This has led the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit to embed this approach in its strategy for driving down violent crime across the region. 

With more people heading out to enjoy the warmer weather, this increased action will put a range of activity in place to make everyone feel safer, including more police officers, youth workers and positive activities to engage young people and divert them from crime.  

Getting ahead of the curve is a vital part of the Violence Reduction Unit’s response to tackling violent crime, so there will also be a focus on iconic events over the summer, such as The Hopping’s, football matches and the regions bustling night-time economy.  

Through working together with the Community Safety Partnerships and other key services in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear to develop projects aimed at reducing serious violence, it has led the Violence Reduction Unit to invest over £100,000 in local communities, which will see areas benefit from the following actions:  

• In Gateshead there will be additional youth workers and police patrols in communities and neighbourhoods that are experiencing higher rates of crime and anti-social behaviour.  
   
• A task force will be working in Newcastle city centre to reduce crime in parks and other green spaces by engaging with the public, and focusing on events that increase footfall to the area such as The Hopping’s and concerts.  
   
• North Tyneside will see more action taking place in areas experiencing higher reports of serious crime, with Project Vita stepping in to provide more activities for young people to divert them away from offending. 
• In Northumberland, there will be more stop and search activity and an increased visibility of community teams and officers to prevent offences relating to serious violence, knife crime and possession.  
   
• In South Tyneside, work will continue to identify and engage young people at risk of serious violence and to provide support to them through weekly sessions.   
   
• Sunderland will see an increase in police officers, neighbourhood wardens and ASB staff during the summer months to provide reassurance for residents, businesses and visitors that the city is doing all it can to prevent violent crime. 

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “Violent crime can happen at any time of the year, but we do see increases during the summer months when there is more to do while enjoying the warmer weather and then again during the winter when the festive season gets underway. That’s why this increased action is so important – it helps us to get ahead of the problem and put a stop to it. We know that this approach really does work and following the results of last year, I am delighted that the Violence Reduction Unit are again working closely with police, councils and other key services across the region to target interventions and action where they are needed most.” 

She added: “Making sure you feel safe is so important to me, which is why we will continue throwing everything we have at tackling violent crime, and that starts with investing in our communities to provide real change.” 

Cllr Jim Foreman, Lead Member for Housing and Community Safety, South Tyneside Council, said: “Our close working with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner last summer on a range of youth seasonal diversionary activities resulted in a reduction in violent crime and this funding will allow us to plan and deliver further initiatives this year which we hope will prove to be just as successful. By taking an early intervention, preventative approach, alongside our partners, we hope that our young people can enjoy the summer safely and with consideration for others.” 

For more information, please contact the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit by email vru@northumbria-pcc.gov.uk

ENDS 

A youth diversion project has been gathering pace in Sunderland City Centre, acting as a last chance for known offenders, to bring an end to their violent crime.

In a short space of time, the project has been showing some fantastic results including a 22% drop in anti-social behaviour compared to the previous year.

The team have hit the ground running as they continue to identify young people causing the most harm in the city centre and working with them to address their behaviour, as well as responding to the wider needs of their families.

This intensive support has seen young people get back into education or take up training and employment opportunities, therefore providing a positive diversion from violent crime.

This project brings together a range of partners including Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, Northumbria Police, Sunderland City Council and Sunderland BID, with the shared goal of tackling serious violence and providing some much needed respite for the city’s businesses and residents.

Now, following the success in Sunderland, work is ongoing to replicate this intensive programme of support in Newcastle, to disrupt violent crime by working with known individuals to address the underlying causes of their offending behaviour.

There is no escape for offenders of violent crime, who will now feel the full force of these diversion projects, and for those who choose not to engage, swift enforcement action will be taken.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness said: “This is the end of the line for those who think it is acceptable to cause chaos and devastation in our communities – and having already seen such positive results in Sunderland, I welcome this work being rolled out by the Violence Reduction Unit, as a last chance for individuals to change their behaviour. It’s vital that we keep throwing everything we can at tackling violent crime to make it as difficult as possible for individuals to continue offending.”

She added: “Our cities have so much to offer, so whether you are heading to the shops, off to a match, enjoying a night out or simply going to work, I want to reassure you that, along with Northumbria Police and other key partners, we will continue to do all we can to prevent crime from happening.”

Councillor Graeme Miller, Leader of Sunderland City Council and Chair of the Safer Sunderland Partnership, said: “It’s brilliant to see the difference this has made in such a short space of time as part of the SAIL Project, which is all about working in partnership to make our city centre a more attractive and safer place to be for everyone who lives, visits and works there.”

Knife Crime and Serious Youth Violence Lead for Northumbria Police, Chief Superintendent Helena Barron, said: “It is fantastic to see projects like this making such a difference to the lives of young people and to the wider community. We welcome the roll out in Newcastle and look forward to seeing the results.

“As a Force, we know how detrimental and disruptive youth disorder, antisocial behaviour and violent crime can be for those caught up in it which is why we are committed to working with our partners to tackle this type of criminality in the most appropriate and effective way.”

For more information, please contact the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit by email vru@northumbria-pcc.gov.uk

ENDS 

PRESS RELEASE

POLICE Commissioner Kim McGuinness is calling on those who work with men and boys across the region to take up new training to help challenge the behaviours that support harassment and violence against women and girls.

‘Active bystander training’ is a new programme launched this week by the Commissioner’s office as part of determined efforts to prevent the unwelcome behaviours that can increase the likelihood of abuse occurring.

Bystander intervention is viewed by experts as a way that can be effective in preventing assault from happening. This new training is a powerful tool taking you through the steps from noticing a problem, having the confidence to act and determining the best course of action to take.

The innovative training has been designed to empower bystanders and is being delivered by national behaviour change specialists, Kindling Transformative Interventions and Beyond Equality. The training seeks to equip people with the skills and confidence needed to speak up when they notice behaviours that aren’t right such as harassment, sexual harassment, or problematic and threatening behaviour.

National figures show 71 per cent of women have experienced harassment in public spaces. A recent survey by the Commissioner’s office revealed the majority of women would like to see more initiatives to drive the change in attitudes and behaviours towards women and girls. The PCC is making this happen and wants to ensure men and boys are included in part of the solution to tackle the misogyny and sexism that are often at the root of the problem.

Organisations that have signed up to become Active Bystander Trainers so far intend to empower more than 3000 men and boys and people in our communities to become active bystanders before the end of 2023.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “If no one confronts these sexist behaviour and attitudes people continue accepting them as normal – this has to change. By doing nothing we empower the harasser so it’s on us all – we all have to do something.

“It really isn’t always just banter“ she continued, “it’s about how it makes us feel, and what these attitudes and behaviours can lead to.”

“I want people to know there is always something you can do as a bystander and the more active bystanders we have in the North East, the bigger change we can make and the more we can positively impact wider culture on this.

“I really want to urge people, businesses, organisations to get signed up and be that difference. Be the guy telling your mate to pack it in or check a woman is OK. The majority of people know what’s right and what’s wrong and when they see things they want to call it out and intervene but many people are just not sure how to go about it.

“I hope this training will bring real, lasting change to workplaces, organisations and communities across the North East. I see it as an important step forward empowering others in the fight against violence against women and girls and improving lives.”

Lee Crosby, Head of Youth and Community Education at the Foundation of Light in Sunderland, one of the local organisations already signed up said: “The Foundation of Light are proud to part of this new initiative launched by the Police and Crime Commissioner and will use the Active Bystander training to challenge negative behaviours, including harassment and violence against women and girls in the various projects we deliver.

“We want to support the Police and Crime Commissioner’s work embedding positive messages and behaviours throughout the work we do, whilst ensuring prejudice behaviours and attitudes are challenged so women and girls feel safe in the communities in which we live and work.”

Nate Eisenstadt, Co-founder of Kindling and Senior Research Associate at University of Bristol said:

“We’re at a place now in society where most people know when they see something harmful unfolding – what many of us lack is the confidence and skillset to intervene in ways that are effective. This training is about doing just that – it offers people a practical set of tools to step up respond to harm and prevent escalation.

The training is free to attend and is funded as part of the OPCC’s Safer Streets project and the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit.

More info and to sign up click here 

ENDS

A diversionary project designed to inspire North Tyneside’s young people and guide them away from criminality has been hailed as an overwhelming success.

The ten-week programme has recently come to a close and has seen fantastic levels of engagement and enthusiasm from those involved.

The activity has been funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness’ Violence Reduction Unit (VRU).

More than £20,000 was invested in the local community by the VRU, with a number of targeted projects launched with support from the local partnerships such as Edge North East, North Tyneside Council and Power Through Sport.

The funding sought to inspire and divert young people away from crime after an anti-social behaviour spike in the area in previous years. The programme also hoped to engage and teach children of all backgrounds more positive ways to interact with their interests.

The main activity of the funding saw the introduction of instructive BMX sessions to promote fun as well as safety to positively influence those who may be prone to risky behaviours.

Sessions were hosted by coaches at Barnesbury BMX Club in Bedlington who purchased new equipment to provide access to free, up-to-date gear – removing any barriers to participation.

Transport to and from the sessions was also facilitated by local charity Edge North East, to allow as many youngsters to take part as possible and to ensure inclusivity.

Neighbourhood Inspector Jennifer Scott said: “This dedicated action is just one way we have been addressing the concerns reported to police and partners by residents.

“I was really pleased to see such excellent engagement taking place with young people in the area, and the feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive.

“This activity of course is not just a one-off and we would like to reassure those living and working in the area that patrols and partnership working will continue. In the coming weeks we have several initiatives in the area to be launched, and this work continues all year round.

“However, we would also ask members of the public to continue to be our eyes and ears on the ground and report any intelligence to police or the most appropriate agency.”

Insp Scott continued: “I would encourage parents and carers to continue to engage and work with us about anti-social behaviour. Please speak to your children about where they are heading, what they are doing and the potential consequences of getting mixed up in this type of activity.

“Ultimately, we need your support to tackle anti-social behaviour in North Tyneside and to help ensure that young people in the community are safe.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “This work builds on the success we have seen during the summer months and provides young people with access to activities and projects that interest them, right in the heart of their local communities.

“We must continue to do all we can to steer young people away from the dangers and consequences of becoming involved in crime. That’s why the Violence Reduction Unit is committed to ramping up its seasonal activity to ensure projects like this are available in areas that need them most.

“I can’t stress enough how important it is that we provide our region’s young people with as many opportunities as possible, because with the right support, we can help them to make positive decisions for the future.”

Praising the work of everyone involved, she added: “My thanks go to all the organisations that have come together to make everything so accessible for young people. We are so much stronger when we work together in the fight against crime.”

Many of those involved in the sessions showed a natural ability from the outset and a keenness to learn in a safe and supportive environment.

The youngsters will be able to build on the foundation of the skills learned from the involvement with the programme in the future, and now know where to look for support.

Activity also came in the form of weekly street discussions with young people in the area by Edge NE teams who also regularly engaged with local community groups to allow for an even bigger group of children to be involved.

If you see anything suspicious in your community, always report it to police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page on our website or by calling 101. In an emergency, or if a crime is taking place, always ring 999.

The Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit announced today that it has awarded almost £8,000 to fund projects developed by young people with the aim of tackling knife crime.

Giving young people the chance to have their voices heard is exactly what the Local Youth Fund is all about, and in this latest round, it provided an opportunity for them to put forward ideas to encourage young people to think twice about carrying or using a knife.

With that in mind, young people across the region bid for a range of activities that they felt would make a difference to their local areas and improve their feelings of safety.

As young people continue to shape this fund, a youth panel were responsible for reviewing the applications and providing their recommendations for funding. This has resulted in nearly 600 young people now set to get their projects underway.

Focused on increasing awareness of the dangers and consequences of knife crime, the successful applicants came up with projects including wearing white at community sessions to spark conversation amongst young people, hearing from specialists in information sessions, and sports activities such as a ‘knives down’ football league,  with important messages around staying safe.

The organisations supporting the successful applicants include:

• Sporting Chance North East
• Hat-Trick
• Northbourne Youth Initiative
• Neetzotz Ltd
• Trinity Academy Newcastle
• Curious Arts
• Forget Me Not Residents Association
• Auxillia Youth Services CIC
• Mary Ashley and YMCA Newcastle
• Durham Army Cadets – Northfield Gardens TA Centre

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “Knife crime is a national problem but we are not immune to it here in the North East. In the last few months, our region has experienced total devastation at the loss of several young lives and I don’t want to see another family go through this. That’s why we must continue to do all we can to tackle violence, which has no place in our communities. The youth fund is one of many initiatives from the Violence Reduction Unit, that puts our young people at the heart of its decision-making and gives them the chance to tell us how they think knife crime can be prevented – and they have done just that.”

Commenting on the additional benefits that the youth fund provides, Kim added: “In previous rounds, we have seen young people gaining new skills and growing in confidence, which is why I can’t stress enough how important it is that we continue to give them access to opportunities. With the right support, we can help our young people make positive choices for the future and reduce their chance of becoming involved in crime.”

On behalf of the North East Youth Alliance, NE Youth Chief Executive Jon Niblo said: “We are proud to continue our collaborative work with the Violence Reduction Unit and for the hard work and dedication of our young people involved in the latest panel for the Local Youth Fund, which places them at the heart of key decisions.”

Thanks to previous rounds of the Youth Fund, almost £30,000 has already made a difference to around 4,000 young people through projects and activities they bid for, including a variety of sports activities, training programmes for personal development, improving local areas and a focus on health and well-being.

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