Project Shield sees transport ASB fall by 30 per cent
INCIDENTS of anti-social behaviour (ASB) at identified hotspot areas across the Northumbria Police force area have dropped by 30 per cent, figures praised by Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth.
As part of Project Shield, launched by the Police Commissioner, Northumbria Police and partners this summer, officers have been rolling out extra patrols along with councils and transport network partners. Together they have been delivering targeted activity in identified areas of concern, which is making a promising impact.
So far, the project has seen 78 additional police patrols and 1649 partner patrol hours across the transport system which has corresponded with ASB incidents falling from 170 to 119 – a 30 per cent reduction in the first quarter of the project. The number of knife crime incidents also dropped from 3 to 1 which has been welcomed by project leads.
The Commissioner said the project was all about community confidence and driving down crime like anti-social behaviour and serious violence – two areas of heightened public concern given the recent protests and disorder across the region.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth said: “Project Shield is about us all coming together to get officers and partners out there on our public transport network, creating a really visible uniformed presence. As these falling ASB numbers show – the impact has been positive.
“As it happens, in light of recent events relating to disorder and increased fears around racism, having Project Shield operating will no doubt bring added reassurance for people travelling on our public transport. People should be able to get on with their lives and get about our region without fear of abuse or harm. As well as helping people feel reassured it means there is greater resource on hand to catch those responsible for causing misery and harm in our communities too.”
Susan added: “It’s still early days for Project Shield but I know a lot of activity covering engagement, prevention and enforcement has been mapped out for the months ahead to help deliver safer streets and stronger communities.”
Chief Superintendent Barrie Joisce, Northumbria Police’s lead for anti-social behaviour, said: “These figures are positive and testament to the hard work of our officers and those in our partner organisations who undertake the Project Shield patrols within our communities.
“Our transport hubs are busy all year round and we are committed to keeping them as safe and welcoming as possible for frequent users and those who are visiting our fantastic region.
“Although we are making significant headway in further reducing ASB and serious violence in our communities, we have much more activity planned to improve the picture in the coming weeks and months.
“Those intent on carrying out crime in our area should be aware that we will find you and do everything in our power to bring you to justice.
“If you have any concerns over ASB or crime in your area, then please do not hesitate to contact us. This helps to build our ever-growing intelligence picture so that we can take more targeted action.”
Cathy Massarella, Managing Director of Nexus, said: “We’re working hard in partnership with the police and our local authority colleagues to provide greater customer reassurance and reduce anti-social behaviour on Metro and wider public transport network.
“These latest ASB figures show progress and the extra policing we have seen through Operation Shield, and other similar policing operations, has had an impact. Metro is fundamentally a safe transport system and we will continue to work hard to reduce crime and low level disorder hot spots where it occurs.
“This builds on the work that we have already done to improve safety and security, including the roll out of our dedicated security team, new CCTV, body-worn video cameras for frontline teams, and the launch of our new text alert system to allow customers to contact the Metro control room more quickly and more easily.
“Our message remains the same: anyone causing trouble on Metro should think again, as they are likely to get caught and face prosecution through the courts, a fine, and even a ban from using the system.”
Colin Newbury, Operations Director for Stagecoach Bus North East, said: “At Stagecoach North East we are proud to continue our commitment to the partnership and further support the objectives of Project Shield, helping to strengthen the fight against anti-social behaviour on the transport network.
We have previously supported the partnership by employing a dedicated transport safety officer to provide reassurance to the traveling public, along with deploying the Trojan Bus with plain clothed police officers to tackle offenders who are intent on acts of anti-social behaviour. Our combined efforts will allow the partnership to target anti-social behaviour in these hotspots in a proactive way.
We understand that we all have a role to play in fighting anti-social behaviour in our local communities, and Stagecoach North East will continue to do all it can with Project Shield to support the partnership and Northumbria Police.”
Northumbria Police data shows a quarter of transport ASB incidents are taking place on Fridays which is a key day for Project Shield deployment. Transport related incidents and crimes are those that take place on a bus, metro, or train, at an interchange or bus station, or any damage made to bus shelters.
Project Shield has been developed with funding secured by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. Recent funding secured through Safer Streets has also seen investment in body worn cameras, extra CCTV, lighting reviews and more. In addition to increased patrols, activity has been supported by detached youth work across the transport network.
The transport element of Project Shield has focused on areas including Haymarket, Eldon Square, Meadow Well Metro, South Shields Interchange, Park Lane Interchange and Four Lane Ends.
| Overall Hotspot Crime/Incident Count – 2024 – Q1 | |||||
| Categories | April | May | June | Total | Change |
| ASB Incidents | 170 | 140 | 119 | 429 | -30% |
| Knife Crime | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -66% |
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