Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, has welcomed the £800,000 funding boost for the National Rural Crime Unit (NRCU) and the National Wildlife Crime Unit – units that work with Northumbria Police to tackle a range of crime in the more remote areas of the Northumbria region.

The Home Office funds will enhance cross-force collaboration, bolster the use of technology and data, and improve the ability to target organised crime groups involved in these illegal activities.

Tackling rural crime is a priority in the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan which outlines her commitments to supporting Northumbria Police with the development of innovative crime prevention tactics and cross border intelligence sharing.

Recently Northumbria’s Rural Crime Team has been working closely with the NRCU investigating the theft of a large number of GPS units in the Morpeth area. The NRCU tracked a suspect down and Northumbria Police’s Rural Crime Team was able to make an arrest. The male arrested was linked to an international organised crime gang that was subsequently charged with a number of offences with a large number if GPS units recovered.

Earlier this month the Police and Crime Commissioner also joined officers as part of Operation Checkpoint to see first-hand some of the force’s activity to tackle rural crime. Operation Checkpoint is the largest rural operation of its kind in the UK, and it sees Northumbria Police, partners and volunteers join together with six other Forces, to stop crime, wildlife and poaching offences.

PCC Susan Dungworth, said: “As I’ve seen tonight, our police force services some of the largest rural areas in the country and so I welcome the recent investment to specifically tackle crime in such areas and protect our farmers and rural communities.

“Officers have been telling me how the NRCU’s knowledge, enthusiasm and support is invaluable and plays a key role in supporting our efforts to keep our rural communities safe and combat criminality in these areas.

“By giving extra funding to this unit shows that we have a government that is determined to ensure its Safer Streets Mission applies to all communities, no matter where they live – this can only be a good thing for Northumbria and its people.”

Minister for Crime and Policing Dame Diana Johnson said: “When you report a crime, it should be properly investigated, with victims having faith that justice will be delivered and criminals punished.

“But too often victims of crime in rural communities have been left feeling undervalued and isolated, whether it be famers having equipment or livestock stolen, or villages targeted by car thieves and county lines gangs.

“This new funding, alongside the forthcoming Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy and our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, will help deliver the change rural communities deserve, ensuring no matter where you live your streets are safe and police responsive to your local needs as we continue to deliver on our Plan for Change.”

The National Rural Crime Unit is headed up by Northumbria police superintendent Andy Huddleston, he said: “I am grateful to the Policing Minister for both her support of the NRCU and the critical funding she has provided. This will ensure the crucial role of the National Rural Crime Co-ordinator, that has been pivotal in information sharing and joint operations across the UK continues.

“Secondly the minister’s contribution to the replacement of the Operational Team vehicles is equally important as it will allow the continued support of forces on the ground and recovery of equipment which since the inception of the team in 2023 stands at more than £23 million.”

Supt Huddleston added: “Rural crime has a truly devastating impact on victims and their livelihoods, and there is no place for this form of criminality whatsoever in our communities.

“Operation Checkpoint always delivers results – and that is down to the fantastic teamwork between all of the Forces, officers, and volunteers who dedicate their time and efforts into making it a success.

“Checkpoint is one of a number of our rural operations alongside partners and volunteers which form part of our robust response to rural crime

“However, our hard work does not stop here and we all look forward to maintaining our efforts to ensure all of our rural communities remain safe places to live, work and visit.”

ENDS

AMBITIOUS plans for the next phase of Project Shield- a targeted policing and community engagement initiative – have been presented at a partnership event, as Government funding continues for another year.

The project aims to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) and serious violence through a partnership approach and increased visibility through uniformed patrols. It supports Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth’s mission to deliver safer streets and stronger communities for local people.

Funding of £1.8m was secured for the project by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), following a successful bid to the Government’s Hotspot Action Fund.

The planning event was attended by the OPCC, Northumbria Police, British Transport Police, Nexus, Stagecoach and all six local authorities across the Northumbria Police force area.

In addition to the ‘boots on the ground’ the Shield teams also consists of analysts and researchers to help guide deployment and identify trends and emerging issues.

Activity is rolled out in targeted areas identified through data and local intelligence. Through a mix of engagement and law enforcement, the project aims to help grow confidence in policing and encourage reporting. In addition to uniformed patrols, the teams deliver days of action and various problem-solving activities in key areas.

Since launching last year, Project Shield has helped deliver a 12.5% reduction in serious violence in targeted areas, when compared to the previous year. It’s also helped deliver a nearly 20% reduction in ASB in these areas too. In total the partnership has delivered 31,244 patrol hours, 227 arrests, 288 stop and searches, 3667 stop checks, used ASB powers 339 times and made 77,029 engagements.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, said, Susan Dungworth: “Since launching Project Shield last year, we have seen it go from strength to strength – as the results demonstrate. It was great to get partners together today to showcase the impact everyone’s hard work is having.”

“The positive impact of the project is being felt far and wide. I’ve had residents in our key areas telling me they’re seeing more uniforms and feeling safer. I’ve also had retailers in our town centres contacting me praising the impact the additional patrols have had. There’s been a lot of interest from the Home Office too.”

She added: “Project Shield supports many of the priorities I set in my Police and Crime Plan for safer streets and stronger communities. My commitments include ensuring we have an engaged and responsive police force, tackling serious violence and reducing crime and antisocial behaviour – Project Shield helps towards it all.

“Today’s partnership event was also about looking ahead and exploring how we build on our success – so we keep cutting crime and keep improving how safe people feel in their communities. People want more of this work and that’s what we are coming together to achieve.”

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Hill, of Northumbria Police, said: “Collaborative working is key to the continued success of Project Shield and we are pleased to have been able to meet up with partners to outline our latest plans to further tackle anti-social behaviour and serious violence in our communities.

“I want those in our Force area to be reassured that we remain committed to identifying those responsible for such criminal activity while also addressing the root causes of these issues.

“We’ve had great feedback from members of the public, who tell us that Project Shield is having a tangible and positive impact on their lives and thanks to renewed funding for 2025/26, we aim drive down the number of incidents in the coming months.”

 ENDS

NORTHUMBRIA Police are set to become the first, and only, Force in the country to offer new recruits a direct route into community policing.

Normally, new starters have to complete a two-year training programme which covers a wide variety of policing.

In this trailblazing move, those who chose the neighbourhood option will specialise in this area from joining and will develop the specialist skills needed for the community policing role. This pathway can be accessed by graduates, non-graduates and those seeking a degree level apprenticeship

The scheme is in response to the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee (NPG), which aims to place more officers in local areas with a focus on visible patrols, community engagement, and tackling issues like anti-social behaviour and crime.

Northumbria Police has been given funding to recruit an additional 95 neighbourhood officers, 27 PCSOs and 30 Special Constables over the next 12 months.

Northumbria Police’s Assistant Chief Officer, Joscelin Lawson, said: “This is a really exciting time to be part of something special here at Northumbria Police.

“We have always valued neighbourhood policing – which provides the visible presence on our streets that we know our communities want – and this will enable us to strengthen that even further.

“This new offer opens up a completely new route, with different skills sets.

“Policing is so much more than 999 calls and responding to emergencies. Neighbourhood policing is about visible, trusted officers and staff who understand their area and tackle the issues that matter most to people.

“So, if you are passionate about where you live and want a career with a purpose and makes a real impact, then we would love to hear from you.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “This is a great move by Northumbria Police to get police officers exactly where residents want to see them – out there in their communities, and it gets my full support.

“As PCC, my mission is clear – I want safer streets and stronger communities, and this new initiative delivers on that. It also shows we have a police force that is putting the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee into action with fresh thinking.

“As well as being a benefit to neighbourhoods, it’s also a great way for us to attract good people with the right skills, strengths, and ambitions from a range of backgrounds. It will help get them straight into doing the work they want to do – building effective working relationships with people from
all walks of life that will help prevent crime and support local people. I look forward to meeting successful applicants and seeing them policing the streets following this summer’s recruitment drive.”

Applications for the new Neighbourhood roles will open in June, but you can register your interest now at: Expression of Interest – Direct Entry into Neighbourhood Policing

Also follow the Force’s social media channels for more information.

Meanwhile Northumbria Police are currently recruiting for other police officer, staff and volunteer roles.

Visit the careers website at Careers – Northumbria Police

Northumbria Police have been praised for their approach in preventing crime – and significant improvements have also been recognised in answering 999 calls.

An inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) further highlights how the Force works with partners to combat anti-social behaviour.

The PEEL (police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy) report published today (Wednesday) also recognises the success of Operation Capio – a dedicated initiative to tackle motorcycle-related crime.

The report hails a scheme aimed at preventing children becoming involved in knife crime – known as a Trainee Detective Programme – as innovative practice.

The ground-breaking project focuses on the tragic death of 18-year-old Connor Brown, who was killed in Sunderland, and educates young people about the dangers of knife crime. During the course virtual reality technology is used to transport the participants to the crime scene.

The report recognises continued improvements in answering 999 calls. Since the inspection even greater improvements have been made and the Force is now exceeding the HMICFRS target for answering emergency calls.

The inspection, which concluded in December, has also highlighted the positive impact of new ways of working which have been implemented over the past 12 months.

Most notably, this includes increasing the number of area commands – from three to six. This recognises that communities have their own identities and issues which matter most to them. Moving to this structure allows the Force to best respond to these needs.

The new model will also help ensure it can better meet both current and future demands.

Amongst positive findings, the report does raise areas for improvement and the Force have already made progress in addressing these and this work will continue.

This includes replacing ageing IT infrastructure – with significant investment being made on a new Force-wide system which will help improve the service provided to the public and drive efficiencies.

The report also recognises inconsistencies in some areas – but the Force has reiterated its commitment to providing the highest levels of service to all, especially  victims.

Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said: “I am delighted the inspectors have highlighted innovative practice, including around how we prevent and deter crime.

“If we can help prevent someone from becoming a victim – or stop someone becoming involved in crime that is a positive outcome for all.

“Significant improvements have also been recognised in our 999 call answering – and this is vital so we can continue to be there for those who need us most.

“I am pleased the report further recognises the efforts we are making, alongside our partners, to tackle anti-social behaviour including our response to motorcycle-related crime.

“Our new ways of working, including moving to six area commands also means we are better meeting the needs of our communities – and tackling the issues which matter most to you.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our officers, staff and volunteers for their efforts and commitment, and to our communities for their continued support.

“We are absolutely determined to deliver an outstanding service to all.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “As Police and Crime Commissioner, I want us to be doing all we can to deliver safer streets and stronger communities for everyone and there are many strengths highlighted in this report that show Northumbria Police is already doing great work to help achieve this.

“The Trainee Detectives Programme, which I help fund through the Violence Reduction Unit, is a great example of how we are working together to educate and prevent crime to help create resilient communities for the future.

“I have made being an engaged and responsive police force a priority in my Police and Crime Plan to keep this as a real focus going forward.

“My office will continue to play a key role in monitoring delivery and performance through my new scrutiny programme to ensure the policing response is both efficient and effective and I am confident under the Chief Constable’s leadership further improvements will follow.”

May 2025 marks one year since Susan Dungworth took up her post as Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner – setting out on her mission to deliver safer streets and stronger communities.

Over the past 12 months, Susan has been the voice of the public, taking pride in being a visible PCC standing up for people across Northumbria on local and national issues. She has also worked closely with Northumbria Police, partners, and crucially local residents – to help push for improvements that both the public and the police want to see to help keep our region safe and bring local communities together.

She cites launching Project Shield, a partnership driven project aiming to bring down ASB and serious violence among her top achievements – as it has already helped deliver a 50% fall in such crimes in some targeted areas.

She has also said awareness and education are at the forefront of her plans and has already funded various training packages, resources, and educational inputs to help tackle issues such as violence against women and girls and knife crime.

Looking back at her first year in post, Susan said: “It’s been a busy and exciting first year in office and I have spent a lot of time with frontline officers, speaking to local residents and meeting with partners to truly understand the issues they face and how we can work together to deliver on the priorities that matter most to our communities. Getting out and about has helped me get a sense of what is working well and where we need to up our game – it has all helped inform my plan for safer streets and stronger communities that I launched back in March.”

When asked what she considers to be her key achievement since being elected, she said:

Launching Project Shield to tackle anti-social behaviour and serious violence is up there – it’s everything collaborative working should be and it has helped deliver a 17% fall in ASB and 20% reduction in serious violence in the areas that have been targeted.

“I was also proud of how our police responded and the region came together during and in the aftermath of the civil unrest last summer. My office was quick off the mark to launch my commissioner’s community fund and get money out there to fund a range of projects promoting community cohesion and strengthening feelings of safety in our neighbourhoods.

She added, “I have also made education and training a real focus for my office and I am hopeful of the long-term change work in this area can bring. Short-term we must get supporting victims right, but long term we need fewer victims needing support in the first place – education and awareness – that is what is fundamental to crime prevention. We now have 220 active bystanders trained up to help tackle Violence Against Women and Girls and have engaged with 34,350 young people & professionals through knife crime awareness sessions delivered by the Violence Reduction Unit. These are just two examples of many other projects we are funding to get in front of people and push for change.”

The Commissioner went on to add: “I am grateful to the Chief Constable, officers and our partners and of course the people of our region for all the support this year. In Northumbria, we’ve secured more than 150 new officers, staff and volunteers as part of the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee and with this I expect Northumbria’s residents will continue to see improvements to policing and I will continue to be their voice, ensuring that they receive the policing service they deserve.”

Susan Dungworth was elected as Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner on Thursday 2^nd May 2024, and took up post on May 9^th. Her Police and Crime Plan priorities are:

1. Engaged and responsive police force
2. Crime and ASB
3. Serious violence and organised crime
4. Violence against women and girls
5. Hate Crime and Community Cohesion
6. Victims and Justice

ENDS

Notes to editors

Other highlights include:

• Launched new Police & Crime Plan – Safer Streets, Stronger Communities
• Welcomed the Knife Angel to Sunderland and educated thousands of young people on how knives impact everyone
• Launched Project Shield to tackle anti-social behaviour and serious violence, with some areas seeing a 50% fall in such crimes
• Joined officers as new students experienced our night-time economy during Freshers Week
• Invested over £150,000 into community projects to tackle hate crime and promote community cohesion
• Trained up 220 Active Bystanders to help tackle Violence Against Women and Girls
• Welcomed £4m additional funding from Government to help continue the fight against ASB and serious violence
• Secured more than 150 new officers, staff, and volunteers as part of the Governments Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee
• Engaged over 34,350 young people & professionals through knife crime awareness sessions delivered by my VRU
• Worked with over 80 young people as part of our Trainee Detective Programme
• Funded local projects to tackle serious violence that over 2,400 young people have benefitted from
• Worked with retailers, business owners, councils, and partners to address shoplifting and theft