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