Well, Hate Crime Awareness Week was undoubtedly a highlight of October. I had the privilege of visiting many places and meeting truly inspiring individuals.

We welcomed a powerful report from Out North East, and I attended a thought-provoking hate crime conference hosted by South Tyneside Council. I also joined an LGBTQ+ roundtable led by Northumbria Police and Newcastle City Council, and visited Burnside Primary School in Cramlington, where Show Racism the Red Card delivered an engaging workshop.

Together with fellow PCCs from Durham and Cleveland, and the North East Migration Partnership, we launched a new myth-busting leaflet—a resource designed to challenge misinformation and promote understanding around migration. It’s already been sparking important conversations. Education is key to building stronger, safer communities, and we hope organisations will share this leaflet widely to help replace fiction with facts—and hate with understanding. It can be downloaded here.

Best wishes,

Susan Dungworth
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner
1. Engaged and Responsive Policing

We’ve opened a new policing base at North Shields Transport Hub, aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour and improving safety for public transport users.

With Northumbria Police and North Tyneside Council’s community protection teams based on-site, this hub enables quicker responses, visible patrols, and a direct point of contact for the public. It’s part of Project Shield, which focuses on reducing crime and improving safety in key areas. This location was targeted with vandalism in January 2025, causing significant damage.

Having an engaged and responsive police force remains a top priority—and this new base is a great example of that commitment in action.

You can read more about it here.
2. Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour  

The popular Operation Impact arrived in North Tyneside this October, resulting in over 20 arrests and the seizure of Class A drugs, cash, and weapons.

But policing is about more than arrests. I visited Wallsend with Neighbourhood Inspector Craig Cook to learn about local partnership efforts addressing community concerns.

I also dropped in on engagement activities at The Forum Shopping Centre. Work like this will form part of the Government’s Winter of Action campaign to tackle shoplifting and anti-social behaviour in the lead up to Christmas. More updates on this soon.
 
3. Serious Violence
and Organised Crime

Last week, I joined Northumbria Police, Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, and local partners to discuss our joint efforts to reduce serious violence.

We’ve already seen a 2% drop in serious violence and a 32% reduction in hospital admissions from assaults involving sharp objects. These numbers represent real lives changed for the better.

I’m also pleased to see the Young Futures Prevention Panel launching in Gateshead, offering vital support to young people and helping them build positive futures. We’ll continue listening, learning, and working with communities to deliver safer streets for all.
4. Violence Against
Women and Girls (VAWG)

Children are victims of domestic abuse too—and they deserve the right support to recover and thrive.

Through the Government’s Children Affected by Domestic Abuse (CADA) fund, we’re investing in specialist services across Northumbria. This includes: one-to-one and group therapeutic support for children and young people, joint interventions for children and their non-offending parent and support for non-offending parents to rebuild safety and stability.

These services are already making a real difference. We recently welcomed the Home Office Domestic Abuse Victims Team to Northumbria to share our progress and discuss future funding opportunities.
5. Hate Crime and
Community Cohesion

Earlier this month joined Sergeant James Maguire and Specials Sergeant Ummar Hanif on patrol in Gateshead, particularly in Bensham, home to a strong Orthodox Jewish community.

This was a sensitive time following the horrific attack on Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Manchester during Yom Kippur. In Avondale Park, I spoke with residents about their concerns—especially around safety. Many expressed appreciation for the increased police presence, which offered both reassurance and visibility.

Despite the tension, it was heartening to see the community out celebrating the first day of Sukkot and engaging positively with officers.
6. Victims and Justice

Recent Government announcements point towards encouraging progress for victims—especially in tackling violence against women and girls.

I welcome the new review into stalking, which is a vital step toward better protection and accountability. Recent changes in family law are also promising, strengthening safeguards for children affected by domestic abuse and ensuring their voices are central to decisions.

A huge thank you to all who have campaigned tirelessly for these changes. Government is listening, and momentum is building. Now we need a long-term, fully funded VAWG Strategy to bring it all together.
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