A successful grass roots diversion project that steers young people away from knife crime is heading into its 5^th year of improving lives, having already supported hundreds of young people.

Police Commissioner Kim McGuinness sets out how sport can play a crucial role in bringing down knife crime by having dedicated mentors from the YOLO project, working with young people aged 10 to 16 who have come to the attention of police for carrying a knife or weapon in recent months.

The project aims to divert young people away from violent crime, with 87% of those benefiting saying they feel more confident, more able to set and achieve goals and are now more optimistic about their future.

Both Newcastle United Foundation and the Foundation of Light are funded by the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit to deliver a range of opportunities and support to help young people make positive life choices that divert them from crime.

Through the popular 20-week programme, young people are provided with a mentor and the chance to take part in one-to-one sessions, and engage in activities such as sport, music, art, social action projects, as well as tailored interventions to support them in making positive behaviour change and address their needs.

Giving feedback, a young person supported by the project, said: “They’ve done so much to help me. Simple things that I struggled with before, I can now focus on. The Foundation got me back on track and showed me better ways to spend my time.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness, said: “To tackle knife crime, we need to get ahead of the problem and that means reaching young people before they ever consider picking up a knife. But for those who have already made that choice or are at risk of becoming involved in violent crime, this fantastic project helps us to recognise the challenges that some young people face and allows us to work with them to address their behaviour and deter them from crime. That’s why projects like this are so important as they show young, often vulnerable people, that there is another way – violence doesn’t have to be a part of their life.”

She added: “Sport is one of many tools used by the Violence Reduction Unit and our regions two football foundations, but this project is not just about football, far from it. The programme is all about identifying the wider issues that can lead to a young person becoming involved in crime, understanding what matters to them, addressing their needs and supporting them in making real change for a more positive and fulfilling future. That’s how we prevent violent crime.”

Head of Youth and Community Education at Foundation of Light, Lee Crosby, said: “The Foundation of Light are extremely proud to be part of the YOLO scheme, and since commencing the partnership with the Violence Reduction Unit and Newcastle United Foundation, we have seen first-hand the impact and benefit for the young people we have engaged. Our mentors work hard to forge a positive relationship with the young people and develop a bespoke pathway that diverts the young person away from crime and violence, offering opportunities that promote positive behavioural change, whilst addressing their needs”.

Jordan Wragg, Youth Violence Coordinator at Newcastle United Foundation, said: “The YOLO intervention programme provides us with the opportunity to support participants in gaining confidence and awareness around making better decisions. We now have a renewed focus on knife crime awareness, working side by side with Foundation of Light and Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit to reach out to those vulnerable people that need our intervention the most. We do this through using the power of sport, one-to-one mentoring and tailored intervention sessions for everyone referred into the programme. Thanks to the support from the VRU, we can provide safe learning environments for each of sessions and activities we provide for vulnerable people across the local authorities.”

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

ENDS 

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

ONE MILLION pounds worth of investment to make public transport safer for North East passengers hangs in the balance as Northumbria’s Police Commissioner Kim McGuinness awaits the go ahead for her plans to tackle ASB across the region’s transport networks.

The Police Commissioner has spoken out on how cuts to policing, public transport and councils over the last 13 years have had consequences, with rising ASB being one of them. She is now fighting for funding to help passengers feel safer when travelling, which she in turn believes is an important step in helping the region to thrive.

The proposed plans to drive down ASB have been developed with police, transport and local authority partners and would see significant increases in police patrols and boosted neighbourhood warden and security resources.

Proposals now sit with the Home Office who will decide if tackling ASB on public transport across Tyne and Wear and Northumberland can be granted ‘ASB hotspot’ investment. A decision is expected in the coming weeks.

When Government announced ASB hotspot funding earlier this year Ms McGuinness was critical that their plans failed to offer long term funding provisions for youth services and family support. She believes tackling the root causes is crucial in preventing ASB but says she welcomes any police funding she can ‘get her hands on for the North East’ if it means enhancing police visibility and fighting crime.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness said: “This is about us, as a region, being able to deliver a stronger, focused approach to tackling ASB on our transport networks as well as in the community.

“At the moment some people have told us they are frightened or uncomfortable using the bus or metro and this is impacting their daily lives – the simple things like getting to work or heading to the shops. Without access to good transport services, so much is put in jeopardy – income, education and healthcare. This really is the last thing the region needs – especially as we all know we are already one of the most deprived areas in the country.”

She continued: “These plans for more patrols and more focused operations in busy periods and at key interchanges and stations would help address people’s concerns and improve overall feelings of safety. It’s so important we get our region’s transport right. It matters to local people, and it matters to me – we just need the green light.”

Last year the Police Commissioner’s office conducted a range of surveys to explore how people felt about using public transport in the North East with most citing they want buses and trains that are reliable, affordable and crucially, safe. She also set up a regional board to tackle ASB which has found ASB on public transport to be a top priority issue for the area.

If successful, this funding will add to the two million pounds the Commissioner has previously secured for the Safer Transport Northumbria project which has included employing youth workers across the transport networks, developing a phone app to make it easier for people to report concerns, women’s safety campaigns and dedicated days of action and policing operations.

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 

Security will be deployed on the majority of trains on the Tyne and Wear Metro to provide customer reassurance in the evenings and tackle anti-social behaviour where it arises.

It will take the security presence on the Metro network to its highest ever level, with security personnel on board almost every single service from 19:00 every day.

Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, said it had listened to feedback from its customers and the Metro team before making this significant commitment in an aim to provide greater reassurance to people using public transport in the evening.

The cost of the expanded security team is being met from increased Metro revenue, together with a contribution from the Safer Streets ASB and transport initiative provided by the Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness’ office and will start operating from the forthcoming Spring Bank Holiday weekend.

It will provide a specific presence on board Metro trains to provide customer reassurance, and to deter anti-social behaviour, working alongside Northumbria Police, the British Transport Police, and the Metro Customer Service Team.

Managing Director of Nexus, Martin Kearney, said: “This represents a major change in how we operate, providing reassurance and support to our customers and the Metro team.

“We will provide a security presence on the majority of Metro services from 19:00 every evening. We are grateful to the Police and Crime Commissioner and local authorities for their support. By working together we can ensure public transport is safe for everyone. This commitment will take the security presence on Metro to its highest ever level.

“The security team will work alongside the dedicated police patrols we get from the Northumbria Force, and from the British Transport Police on the Sunderland line.

“We have listened to what customers and our Metro team have asked for. People said there needed to be a greater visible presence of security on board the Metro trains at night and we are delivering on that.”
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “Reliable, affordable and crucially, safe – that’s what people tell me they want from our public transport services and this is an example of how, together, we are delivering on this. Our Metro connects our communities and links people to opportunities, and it’s so important that people feel safe and comfortable when on board.

“These enhanced security measures are a welcome boost supporting our continued policing efforts and other Safer Transport Northumbria initiatives I’m funding such as youth engagement and focused days of action. Sustainable transport options like the Metro need investing in to make travel safer in the North East and I will keep fighting for this because it matters to local people and will help our region thrive.”

Nexus first introduced the Metro security team in March 2022.

Nexus has previously invested in body worn CCTV for its frontline staff and improved digital CCTV cameras on Metro, as well as annually spending £1.2m on a dedicated Metro police unit.

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