This week, the UK marks Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Awareness Week from Monday 30 June to Sunday 6 July with this year’s them being ‘Making Communities Safer’. During this time, Sunderland City Council are highlighting the success of a key project that’s helping to deliver just that in the city centre.

The Sunderland Altogether Improving Lives (SAIL) project, launched by Sunderland City Council in 2022, continues to make a real difference in the city centre by reducing anti-social behaviour and making the community safety. The project brings together a wide range of partner agencies under one roof to deliver a coordinated, long-term approach to tackling issues that matter to residents, businesses and visitors.

Latest figures show that between June 2024 and May 2025, the city centre has seen major reductions in key issues:

  • All ASB is down 32%
  • Youth ASB down 20%
  • Alcohol Related ASB down 28%

Other types of crime have also seen notable reductions during the same period, including a 22% drop in theft and handling, a 23% decrease in vehicle crime, and a 13% fall in serious youth violence.

SAIL works with many partners including Neighbourhood Enforcement, Housing and Environmental Service areas from within Sunderland City Council together with officers from Northumbria Police, Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, British Transport Police. And other organisations such as NHS, Gentoo, Wear Recovery Sunderland, Youth Drug and Alcohol Project (YDAP) and Sunderland BID (Business Improvement District).

Councillor Kelly Chequer, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Safer Communities, said: “These numbers show the incredibly positive impact the SAIL project has had on our city centre.”

“By working with young people to deter them from committing anti-social behaviour, and reducing overall crime in the city centre, this partnership is helping create a cleaner, safer and more vibrant place.”

“The SAIL project further develops the working relationships between Sunderland City Council, Northumbria Police and Sunderland BID to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Sunderland.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth said: “These are fantastic results, and a powerful example of what can be achieved when we come together with a shared commitment to tackling the issues that matter most to our communities.

“I’m really pleased to see the difference the SAIL project is making in Sunderland City Centre. By tackling anti-social behaviour, and reducing crime, this partnership is helping create a safer, and more welcoming place for everyone who lives, works and visits the city.
“The strength of the SAIL project comes from having a range of partners based in the city centre, working together to respond to issues in a proactive way. It’s not just about enforcement, it’s about building trust, supporting young people, preventing crime from happening, and making sure residents and businesses feel heard and supported.
“This is exactly the kind of approach we need to build safer, stronger communities for everyone.”

SAIL works closely with the businesses in the city centre and Sunderland Business Improvement District (BID).

Chief Executive of Sunderland BID, Sharon Appleby said: “The SAIL project builds on the success of the award-winning SARA project in Southwick and HALO project in Hetton which were set up to work with local communities and help build a sense of ownership and pride in the area at the same time as tackling a range of issues including anti-social and criminal behaviour, environmental crime, unemployment and poor mental health.”