Officers have carried out an additional 360 hours of targeted policing patrols, made arrests and engaged over 1,500 people through Project Guardian, a proactive initiative designed to prevent serious violence and keep people safe.

Since launching ahead of the busy summer period, officers continue to carry out patrols in identified areas, providing a visible policing presence, engaging directly with local communities, and taking action to disrupt criminality.

The project, which aims to achieve a 33% reduction in knife crime over the next two years, will see officers continue to use intelligence and crime data to focus activity in areas where it can have the greatest impact.

Funded through the Home Office’s Knife Crime Concentration Fund, Project Guardian combines dedicated patrols with ongoing prevention and enforcement activity from the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, Northumbria Police and partners, supporting the Government’s mission to halve knife crime.

Working closely with councils, youth services and community organisations, the project continues to deliver early intervention, safeguarding and problem-solving activity, designed to address the causes of serious violence and support long-term prevention.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth said: “Project Guardian is about providing a visible presence in our communities, listening to the people who live, work and visit our towns and city centres, and helping them feel safe.

“Officers have spent hundreds of hours on dedicated patrols, engaging with local people, listening to concerns and taking action where it’s needed. Those conversations help us better understand the issues affecting communities and ensure activity is focused where it can make the biggest difference.

“Tackling serious violence cannot be achieved through enforcement alone, that’s why through the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, and our partners, we are taking a preventative approach by working to reach people earlier, support those at risk and address the underlying causes of violent crime.

“As the summer continues and our towns and city centres become much busier, it’s important that people feel safe when enjoying everything our region has to offer – and these patrols will provide a visible and reassuring presence.

“By continuing to work together, we can build long-term solutions that help create safer streets, and stronger communities for everyone.”

Superintendent Kevin Waring, of Northumbria Police’s dedicated Prevention department, said: “This is a strong start for Project Guardian as we continue to address the extremely important issue of knife crime in our communities. Strategic, hotspot policing patrols can deliver clear improvements, playing a vital role in reducing crime while providing residents with a strong, visible presence in their communities. Our proactive approach is sending a clear message that criminal activity and behaviour will absolutely not be tolerated and acts as a powerful deterrent.”

Supt Waring added: “I’d like to reassure residents that in no way will we be complacent. We’ll do all we can to identify crime trends and allocate our resources accordingly, striving to keep the Northumbria Force area among the safest places to live in the country. And if you have information which could assist us our work, even if it is something you feel is insignificant, please let us know so that we can add it to our intelligence picture. As always, we want to prevent violent crime from occurring wherever we can.”

Anyone with information on crime can send Northumbria Police a direct message on social media or use the live chat and report forms on the Force’s website. In an emergency situation, or if a crime is taking place, always ring 999.

For more information about the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, visit the website or email vru@northumbria-pcc.gov.uk.

ENDS