NORTHUMBRIA Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, says a collective mission to tackle anti-social behaviour is working – as new data confirms the growing impact of Project Shield.

The latest quarter figures show targeted action in priority locations across the force area has delivered a 32% reduction in ASB, and on the region’s transport network this has fallen by an even sharper 38% – when compared to the same period during the previous year.

These reductions have been achieved with the help of 8,465 additional hours of police and partner patrols funded through Project Shield. Alongside this the initiative has rolled out youth diversion schemes, and policing tactics like the popular Trojan bus. This is a decoy bus carrying plain clothes officers used to catch offenders unaware.

During Quarter 2 alone, Shield teams made 67 arrests, conducted 113 stop and searches, used 13 ASB powers, undertook 39,925 engagements, and seized 13 weapons.

Funded through £1.8 million secured by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner via the Government’s Hotspot Action Fund, Project Shield was the first initiative to be introduced by the Commissioner since taking office.

It brings together Northumbria Police, British Transport Police, Nexus, Stagecoach and all six local authorities, combining high-visibility patrols with long-term problem solving to address the root causes of ASB and tackle serious violence.

Alongside the police, community safety officers and transport staff on patrol, the project has a dedicated team of analysts and researchers who ensure deployments are guided by local intelligence and real-time data — allowing resources to be focused where they make the greatest difference.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth said:

“Our mission to tackle anti-social behaviour is working — and these figures prove it. People told us they wanted more visibility; more action and more results. That’s exactly what Project Shield is delivering; great ASB reductions in our targeted areas, particularly on our transport.

“Residents have been telling me they feel safer because they’re seeing more uniforms out and about and retailers, I’ve been speaking to have said they’ve noticed improvements too. For me, this is targeted neighbourhood policing at its best.”

“Since launching Project Shield, we’ve seen it go from strength to strength, and it shows how we are putting my Police and Crime Plan for safer streets and stronger communities into action – working together to tackle things like ASB and serious violence.

Looking ahead to 2026, the Commissioner emphasised her determination to build on this year’s progress: “These are strong results to end the year on, and I want us to keep going further: continuing to cut crime, strengthening our partnership work, and improving how safe people feel in every neighbourhood. People want more of this — and I look forward to continuing to monitor the project’s progress into the new year.”

Superintendent Scott Cowie, of Northumbria Police’s Prevention department, said: “These latest figures are testament to the hard work and dedication of our officers and partnership staff working on Project Shield.

“The statistics show that we are significantly driving down ASB, particularly on our transport network where everyone should feel safe and secure when travelling around our region.

“The feedback we’re getting from members of the public and businesses is that they are seeing a real tangible difference right across our communities. This is something we aim to build on in the coming weeks and months with further activity planned, using all of the powers and tactics available to us.

“Rest assured, we remain determined as ever to do everything we can to further reduce ASB. To the public, thank you for your support and please continue to help us by reporting any crime or suspicious activity in your area so that we can grow our intelligence picture and plan accordingly.”

Erika Allen, Quality Health Safety Security and Environment (QHSSE) Director at Nexus, said: “It’s great to see Project Shield having such a positive impact in lowering crime and anti-social behaviour on our public transport network.

“Nexus has a key part to play in supporting the police and our local authority partners in keeping the public safe and secure when using the local bus and Metro system.

“This builds on the work we have already done to improve safety and security on the transport network, including the roll out of our dedicated security teams and investment in new CCTV.”

 

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