A group of young people, supported by The Angelou Centre, hosted a powerful Culture Day in Newcastle, bringing communities together to celebrate diversity and foster unity in local areas.

Through sharing their personal stories and reflecting on the summer unrest, which united communities in standing against hate, the group sparked meaningful conversations at their Culture Day event, promoting community cohesion and positive change.

Funded by the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit’s Local Youth Fund, the event featured a wide range of activities including art and history exhibitions, live music performances, food stalls, panel discussions, and educational workshops.

These activities were developed by the group to highlight the contributions of a diverse range of communities, and to engage attendees in conversations about identity, history and the importance of cohesion.

By creating an inclusive space for learning and understanding, the event not only amplified young people’s voices, but also showcased their significant role in tackling hate crime.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “Crime driven by hostility and hatred based on personal characteristics is completely unacceptable. That’s why initiatives like Culture Day are vital in bringing communities together, fostering understanding, and empowering young people to take a stand against hate.”

“I was delighted to meet with these remarkable young people at The Angelou Centre last summer, where they told me all about their ambition to hold an event that would bring communities together to celebrate diversity. Now, thanks to funding through the Violence Reduction Unit’s Local Youth Fund, we have been able to help make their vision a reality.”

“Having consulted locally, my new police and crime plan will have a clear focus on preventing hate crime and supporting victims. I truly believe that by working together, we can create safer, stronger communities where everyone feels valued and respected.”

The funding provided through the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit provides young people with a platform to share their views and innovative ideas, empowering them to participate in decisions made about their local area, and is part of a wider effort to address serious violence in communities.

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

ENDS

Following its early success, a ground-breaking initiative is again offering young people an immersive, hands-on experience to understand the impact of knife crime through a week-long programme that mirrors a real-life investigation.

Developed by Northumbria Police, and in partnership with the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, Trainee Detective Week enabled 25 students from Jesmond Park Academy to step into the role of junior detectives.

Over the course of the week, they explored the devastating impact of knife crime while developing vital life skills that will help them make safer choices for their future.

The programme began with a powerful session led by Tanya and Simon Brown of the Connor Brown Trust, who shared the heart-break of losing their son Connor to knife crime in 2019.

In a moving exercise, they asked the students to help solve Connor’s murder, with the group becoming immersed in a simulated investigation, beginning with a reconstructed crime scene.

Utilising immersive technology at Northumberland College’s Kirkley Hall Campus, the students were transported to a virtual recreation of the events leading up to Connor’s death, and guided by police and forensic staff, they were able to put their learning and investigative techniques into practice.

A session with medical staff provided further insight into the realities of knife injuries, which can lead to devastating outcomes for victims and their families, highlighting the vital and urgent work of first responders.

As the week progressed, students analysed the evidence and built their case, with a visit to the magistrates’ court in Bedlington, providing them with a first-hand look at how the justice system handles knife crime.

The programme also emphasised teamwork, incorporating activities that encouraged clear communication and collaboration as students worked together to solve the case.

The week culminated in a presentation where students showcased their findings and received recognition for their understanding of the impact of knife crime, and the importance of preventing it.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “There is never a right time to carry a knife, and we know the tragic consequences that it can have. I don’t want to see another family left heartbroken, or a community destroyed as a result of knife crime, which is why we must continue doing all we can to tackle the issue.”

“Through innovative technology and real-life case studies, Trainee Detective Week provides an impactful way for young people to understand the harm caused by knife crime, and look at how it can be prevented.”

“It puts young people at the forefront of a real-life investigation, taking them on a journey that shows the devastating consequences of knife crime while equipping them with essential skills and knowledge to make informed decisions.”

“By immersing students in every aspect of the investigative process, we’re empowering them to think about the impact of their actions and work together to create safer, stronger communities.”

“My thanks to all those involved in making this programme possible, including Northumbria Police, the Violence Reduction Unit and Northumberland College, but also to Tanya and Simon Brown, who after losing their son Connor to knife crime, continue to do all they can to educate young people on the dangers of carrying and using knives.”

Chief Inspector Angela Hewitt, of Northumbria Police’s Prevention Department, said: “As a Force, we sadly know all too well the utter devastation that knife crime can cause. This innovative programme is a great way of explaining to our young people the danger of carrying and using knives.”

“We hope that by taking part in the course, the students have understood how by choosing to pick up a knife you can not only destroy your own life, but the lives of those around you too.”

“I’d also like to pay tribute once again to Tanya and Simon Brown for their unwavering and invaluable support in the fight to prevent knife crime.”

“Together, alongside our partners and through producing courses such as Trainee Detective Week we can continue to educate younger generations so that more lives are not ruined.”

Tanya Brown of the Connor Brown Trust, said: “It has been an incredible week with a different cohort of students embarking on the Trainee Detective Programme. From the first moment we met the students they were eager to engage with us by asking questions, listening and wanting to learn more. They were all so respectful and thoughtful towards us which to us shows compassion and an awareness of the impact it has had on us as a family.”

“As the week progressed, the students welcomed us when we visited and told us all about what they had been learning with such enthusiasm and empathy. What the students are learning through this programme is vital life skills, it’s not just about knife crime but about choices, consequences and lifesaving medical skills involving catastrophic bleeds.”

“I understand the need for academic structure, but these life skills are just as important, all children and young people face challenges in life and they all need to be equipped to deal with those challenges. The Trainee Detective programme focuses on some of those challenges and the young people are learning a wide range of skills without even realising, such as communication skills and teamwork. The students have excelled themselves with their positive attitudes to the programme throughout the week.”

Steve Campbell, Principal at Jesmond Park Academy, said: “This has been a truly unique experience for our students and will have a lifelong impact on the children that have attended.”

“Knife crime and the associated consequences are very much at the forefront of the minds of anyone that works with young people. It is one of our biggest fears that our children would ever have to be witness to, or become involved in any type of violent crime. Any support to empower the children to make informed safe choices is always welcomed.”

“I am pleased that we have been able to support the initiative by letting our children out of school for a week, although they will have studies to catch up on I am sure that they will have learned many valuable lessons which will remain with them forever.”

“I am sure that they will have found the week hard work and at times difficult to listen to some of the real life stories but I am equally sure that it will have been very worthwhile.”

For more about Trainee Detective Week, email vru@northumbria-pcc.gov.uk.

A new initiative between police and partner organisations is aiming to reduce the number of young people going missing from home.

Safe Return is launching this week in Sunderland and will see officers from Northumbria Police liaise with counterparts in Sunderland Together For Children and Waythrough to identify children who have begun to go missing from home recently on a regular basis.

The programme has been fully funded by the Violence Reduction Unit, which is within the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth.

Safe Return will offer appropriate intervention support to young people who go missing at an early stage and ultimately prevent them from repeatedly going missing.

The scheme has been used in Northamptonshire Police force area, with positive results.

Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Ashurst, who heads up Northumbria Police’s Missing Person’s Team, said: “Prevention remains one of our Force priorities and we are passionate about getting missing people located quickly and returned to their families, carers and loved-ones.

“This innovative new project will see us work alongside our partners to identify those young people who regularly go missing and get them the support they need at an early stage.

“We appreciate that being a teenager or young person can be difficult and there are a number of factors as to why people start to go missing.

“This scheme will further build on our efforts in identifying why a particular person is going missing and supporting them so that future incidents are prevented.”

Simon Marshall, Director of Children’s Services and Chief Executive for Together for Children, said: “We know that early intervention and getting to the root of the problem is key to not only reducing the number of children and young people going missing, but it also allows us to better support those who are doing so on a regular basis, and their families.

“Partnership working has always been at the heart of what we do, and by working collaboratively as part of the Safe Return project we have been able to strengthen our joint city-wide approach to children and young people going missing and help ensure young people are able to stay safe and thrive.”

A spokesperson for Waythrough said: “We are eager to participate in this innovative programme in partnership with the police and Together for Children, offering vital support to children experiencing missing-from-home episodes.

“We look forward to witnessing the positive impact that the Safe Return initiative will bring to children and families across the Sunderland area.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “Safe Return is a vital and proactive initiative dedicated to safeguarding vulnerable young people in Sunderland. By prioritising early intervention, this programme addresses the root causes of why young people go missing, ensuring meaningful support is in place before these behaviours can become patterns.”

“The approach has already shown promising results elsewhere, and we’re confident that Safe Return will have a similar positive impact in Sunderland. Supporting young people so they feel safe and understood is essential, and this programme highlights our shared commitment to that goal. It not only reassures families, but also actively reduces the risks faced by young people when they go missing.

“This crucial support has been made possible through a close partnership between the Violence Reduction Unit, Northumbria Police, Waythrough and Together for Children. Together, we are building safer, stronger communities for everyone.”

Anyone who needs to report a person as missing can do so by sending Northumbria Police a direct message on social media or by using the live chat function on the Force website.

For those unable to contact the Force via those ways, call 101.

The Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit has launched a series of e-learning modules to increase awareness around the impact of knife crime, joint enterprise, gangs and youth violence, and hidden harms.

Equipping youth workers, practitioners, and community leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to address serious violence at its roots, the new courses focus on identifying risk factors, understanding the law, and safely intervening at the earliest point to help create safer communities.

The e-learning initiative is part of a wider effort to tackle serious violence and ensures training is available to provide frontline workers with a comprehensive insight to engage young people at risk and prevent violent behaviour before it escalates.

Developed in collaboration with online training provider, Me Learning, the resources make it easy for participants to learn at their own pace, and on completion of four mandatory modules, they will become a Violence Prevention Ambassador, with the opportunity to join a network of likeminded individuals.

Each module incorporates important information, engaging content and interactive quizzes, with the four packages covering:

• Knife Crime Awareness: Through the Me Learning platform, this course is available to a national audience, with a key focus on understanding the causes and effects of knife crime, including strategies for prevention, and signposting additional support.
• Joint Enterprise: This module provides a clear understanding of Joint Enterprise, and sets out to demystify the complex topic by addressing common misconceptions, awareness of the legal framework and the consequences of participating in a criminal act.
• Gangs and Youth Violence: This course provides a comprehensive overview of gangs and youth violence, helping learners understand what gangs are, what they do, the role of women and girls, and the work done to prevent recruitment.
• Hidden Harm: This module helps learners understand the cycle of events around parental substance misuse, mental health and domestic abuse, as well as highlighting how to spot signs of harm.

Focusing on these specific issues, the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit aims to empower trusted adults to help tackle the root causes of serious violence, and build safer, stronger communities locally.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth said: “Addressing serious violence means tackling its root causes head on. It requires a proactive, informed approach that reaches young people before issues escalate. By equipping youth workers, community leaders and practitioners with this training, we’re giving them the tools to address underlying issues that drive violence.”

“These courses are more than just awareness; they’re about empowering trusted adults in the community to intervene at the earliest point, ensuring support is available to help young people make positive decisions for their future, and preventing further harm. Together, we’re building a network of informed individuals who can help break cycles of violence and build safer, stronger communities.”

Sarah Howarth, Managing Director at Me Learning said: “This collaboration with Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit represents a pivotal opportunity to make critical knife crime awareness training accessible to a broader audience. Previously, face-to-face training meant that participants had to travel significant distances, limiting the reach of this essential knowledge.”

“By digitizing the course and creating a solution that would have far reaching impact at scale, we address an urgent need for greater accessibility, allowing the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit to extend vital training efficiently and effectively across a much wider area. Through this digital Knife Crime Awareness Course, practitioners will gain comprehensive, consistent training without geographic constraints—enabling them to play a proactive role in reducing knife crime and fostering safer communities.”

For more information about the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit or the Violence Prevention Ambassadors programme, visit the website.

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.