October has been a difficult month for the people of Benwell with the devastating house fire which saw two lives lost and many lives impacted.

I hope everyone affected has been able to take great comfort in the outpouring of support from communities near and far, with well wishes and donations.

Everyone who played a part in the emergency response did the local community proud. From the professional rescue operation and ongoing investigative efforts, right through to the kindness of neighbours, volunteers, community organisations and businesses – so many have been doing all they can to care for others without a second thought. 

My thanks go to everyone involved in the recovery efforts. It’s been a terribly sad situation for everyone affected but heartwarming how the people of the West End have come together with such incredible community strength. 

Best wishes,
 
Susan Dungworth
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner
Commissioner's Community Fund

I’m pleased to announce that I am making £100K in funding available to help communities tackle hate and antisocial behaviour. This is a fund is to help deliver safer streets and stronger communities following the civil disorder seen in the summer months. I am looking for projects that promote good relations in neighbourhoods and nurture a sense of belonging for all in the Northumbria area. It’s been designed to empower local people and give communities affected by hate crime and anti-social behaviour a helping hand to cope and recover from recent experiences. It is also looking to support projects and initiatives that are determined to educate people and stamp our racism and hateful behaviours for good.

More info and to apply.

Deadline: 22nd November. 
200 schools sign up to new safety learning resource

Prevention is the key to building safer, stronger communities, and so I’m delighted that more than 200 schools have already committed to rolling out a new Pol-Ed resource. My Violence Reduction Unit and Northumbria Police have joined forces to make the learning package covering healthy relationships, staying safe and understanding the law available to schools in our area. The feedback on the resources has been really positive and welcomed by teachers. I’d really encourage any schools who haven’t yet signed up to do so. 

Schools interested in signing up or learning more about Pol-Ed should contact Northumbria Police by email to school.liaison@northumbria.police.uk
Safer Business Action Week

It was a pleasure to host another retail roundtable event just ahead of Safer Business Action Week. Afterwards, the myth that thieves will get away with shoplifting goods if they’re less than £200, came up in conversation. This is simply untrue, and I put the record straight when speaking to the Northern Echo the other week.

It’s damaging to policing perceptions and can impact retail crime reporting so these rumours need to end. Officers have made it clear to me that there has never been an operational £200 policy - and there are absolutely no plans for there to be. 

You can read more here.
Arrests with new knife law

It was great to hear two people have been arrested and a haul of weapons were seized from an address in Sunderland following Government’s new knife laws around machete and zombie-style knives. 

Northumbria Police and Sunderland Council have done a great job swiftly putting these welcome new laws into action.

These bans have been a long time coming and here in Northumbria we are doing everything in our power to prevent, tackle and reduce knife crime - and to keep people safe.
Safer Streets transformation

People told us they felt uncomfortable and unsafe using these West Denton underpasses, so with the help of Newcastle City Council, Studio West, and local artists Mark & Toby, we've now made them a place to be proud of. 

The once neglected underpasses have now been covered in regional landmarks and local designs – created by young people from the area.

This is a great example of how we can work together to address concerns and make a difference in the local neighbourhood. My thanks go to all involved.

Read more about the work here.
Wear Red Day

The team proudly supporting #WRD24 and the work that Show Racism the Red Card does today, and every day. 
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