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August has been a month full of brilliant engagement across our force area highlighting both policing operations, partner collaborations and recruitment opportunities such as part of Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. I attended the impressive recruitment event held at the Metro Centre in Gateshead, hosted an Operation Coastwatch walkabout with partners in North Shields, visited the fantastic community engagement day at Washington Galleries, and joined in the fun at the family day held at Middle Engine Lane Police Station. It’s been a pleasure speaking to so many people – both partners and residents.
These events are not just opportunities for the public to meet the police – they help build trust, strengthen relationships, and ensure we’re working together to deliver safer streets and stronger communities. The visible policing presence is particularly important during the busy summer months too and a lot of this engagement has been part of the Safer Streets Summer Initiative and our town centre focus to help drive down crime.
I want to thank everyone who came along, spoke to us, and shared their thoughts. Your input makes a real difference.
Best wishes,
Susan Dungworth
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner
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PRIORITY 1: ENGAGED AND RESPONSIVE POLICE FORCE
ANSWER TIMES ARE IMPROVING
A priority for me is ensuring we have a police force that is engaged, responsive, and delivers the level of service our communities rightly expect. I know from speaking with residents that response times and call handling are important concerns, and I am pleased to report that the force is making steady progress.
Over the last year call answering times for 999 have improved, which I hope gives people the reassurance that when they dial in an emergency, help will be on its way quickly. We are also seeing better attendance rates and faster response times across both urban and rural areas.
While there is still more work to do, the numbers are moving in the right direction. I will continue to closely monitor performance to ensure progress in this area continues. |
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PRIORITY 2: CRIME AND ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
PREVENTION WORK IN ACTION
Earlier this month I met with Charlotte and Jade from Newcastle’s Youth Justice Service.
Charlotte, our Focused Deterrence worker, funded through the Violence Reduction Unit, sits within the Newcastle City Safe Hub. Her role is to engage with young people who regularly spend time in the city centre and are starting to come to the attention of local services.
Rather than waiting for things to escalate, Charlotte takes the time to connect, listen, and offer support.
This work is about helping young people reflect, change their behaviour, and stay out of the criminal justice system. Enforcement isn’t always the answer; this is great prevention work in action. |
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PRIORITY 3: SERIOUS VIOLENCE AND ORGANISED CRIME
DISRUPTING CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
Tackling serious violence and organised crime is a priority for me and I wanted to share some recent successes highlighted at the last North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) meeting.
The NEROCU is a specialist partnership focused on disrupting and dismantling serious and organised crime that goes beyond Force borders in the North East and is jointly funded by the PCCs in our region.
There has been a 44% increase in disruptions to criminal activity by the Cyber Team, 80% increase in disruptions targeting crimes such as fraud and 151 larger-scale disruptions in the sale and supply of drugs across the North East. Countless operations have also led to the safeguarding of vulnerable people.
It is evident real progress is being made, and I want residents to feel reassured that we’re coming down hard on these criminals and these co-ordinated efforts are playing a key part of delivering safer streets and stronger communities.
Together we will continue to disrupt this criminal activity, making it harder for these groups to operate.
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PRIORITY 4: REDUCING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS
PUTTING VICTIMS FIRST
We welcomed the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, and the Victims and VAWG Minister Alex Davies-Jones to our force area this month.
Since becoming PCC, I have seen the dedication of our teams and partners - making a difference to the lives of victims every day and so it was great to have the opportunity to highlight work such as the Raneem’s Law Pilot which puts domestic abuse specialists in the heart of our control rooms and services such as our sexual assault referral centre, The Angel Centre.
Other things discussed were the benefits of the victim’s hub, Northumbria Victim and Witness Service (NVWS) and how it signposts to specialist services to help meet the needs of the victim. I also raised the funding challenges and the need for sustainable long-term funding for specialist providers.
Find out more.
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PRIORITY 5: HATE CRIME AND COMMUNITY COHESION
CELEBRATING DIVERSITY
This month so many communities from across our region have come together to mark significant events covering both celebration and remembrance. Pakistan Independence Day, India Independence Day, and VJ Day all have deep meaning honouring heritage and freedom.
As your Police and Crime Commissioner, I’m committed to ensuring we celebrate the rich diversity of our region, while working to strengthen trust and understanding between all communities. That's why I made Community Cohesion a priority in my Police and Crime Plan.
Community cohesion helps people’s feelings of safety, respect, and belonging. I will keep listening, engaging, and standing alongside people of every background so everyone feels represented, included, and protected. It has been a pleasure to be a part of these occasions with many of you.
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PRIORITY 6: VICTIMS AND JUSTICE
NEW SERVICES DIRECTORY LAUNCHED
I’m pleased to have launched a brand-new victims directory on the website so that specialist support can be found at the click of a button.
The new tool allows victims and witnesses to search for emotional and practical support in their local authority area and provides details of local and national organisations, funded by my office.
Being a victim of crime can have a devastating impact on people’s lives. I want to raise awareness of the wide range of support that is there to help and make it as accessible as possible for people – this directory is here to help with that.
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ACCOUNTABILITY IN ACTION
My regular scrutiny programme allows me to hold the Chief Constable to account on key issues including performance, public confidence and neighbourhood policing.
Here are just some of the discussion points from our last meeting:
- Engaged and responsive police force – 93% of calls still answered within 10 seconds, and response times for serious incidents are improving in both urban and rural areas. Please remember, non-emergency reports can be made online as well as by phone.
- Crime and ASB – ASB Incidents are continuing to fall across Northumbria.
- Violence Against Women and Girls – Victim satisfaction in rape cases has improved, reflecting a strong focus from the force.
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