The Northumbria Police force area is one of the largest – covering more than 2,000 square miles and serving a population of approximately 1.5 million. And so, as your Police and Crime Commissioner I try and get out and engage with people as often as I can, across all our area commands to help understand local policing needs.

I’m also making sure I spend time with all our area commanders too - to hear more about neighbourhood policing specific to the areas they cover and so recently I’ve spent time out on the beat with area commanders in South Tyneside and Gateshead.

In South Tyneside, patrols took us to South Shields, covering the Metro Station, King Street, Ocean Road, South Marine Park, the fairground and back up to Market Place. Over the last year there has been a 27% reduction in youth-related anti-social behaviour across South Tyneside, and it was good to hear about the ongoing work with partners to keep driving ASB down.

In Gateshead I joined officers in Whickham for some engagement at a local children’s nursery. There where we chatted about the importance of positive police engagement with children and I heard about a successful investigation to catch a burglar who was had targeted the premises last year.

My thanks go to everyone I have been speaking to out and about. I am gathering some really useful insights to inform my Police and Crime Plan refresh which I will update you on in the coming months.

Best wishes,
Susan Dungworth
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner

Priority 1: 

Engaged and responsive police force

Officer numbers continue to grow

Getting more officers out where people want to see them - policing their neighbourhoods - is central to my plan for safer streets and stronger communities, so earlier this month it was good to welcome another 77 new recruits on the first day of their training with Northumbria Police.

It’s good to know 216 neighbourhood police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) have been hired or redeployed across Northumbria in the last year, and I look forward to following their careers and seeing them out in our local communities.

Priority 2: 

Crime and antisocial behaviour

Motorbike Disorder clampdown

I recently raised concerns around motorbike disorder in the area with the Chief Constable and it was good to see tough action taking place in response to the concerns local people have raised with me.

A successful policing operation in Cramlington this month seized 11 electric scooters and a Sur-Ron bike – all of which are illegal to ride on public roads, pavements and cycle lanes.

Efforts must continue by police and partners to put a stop to this type of behaviour and keep our communities safe.

Priority 3: 

Serious violence and organised crime

Good vibes

It was great to join the Violence Reduction Unit to see the Good Vibes music project in action at Gateshead Interchange where I got to speak directly with the young people taking part. 

The sessions have already engaged 86 young people giving them the chance to learn DJing, develop MC skills and build a sense of purpose through music.

It's part of a wider programme of prevention work funded through the Young Futures Prevention Panel in Gateshead and is helping improve confidence, develop skills, and provide meaningful alternatives to crime and anti-social behaviour, supporting our efforts to reduce violence and preventing issues from escalating.

Priority 4: 

Violence against women and girls

Giving women a voice

The Young Women’s Film Academy was certainly one of several stand-out bids to my Commissioner’s Community fund this year. We know misogyny is at the root of all violence against women and girls and influencers like those in the Louis Theroux documentary are undoubtedly having a really worrying impact on young men and boys’ attitudes to women and relationships.

While many, including myself, welcome this documentary for shining a light on an important issue – the documentary seems to lack how this manosphere culture actively affects women – many have commented on the limited female contributions.

And so, I’m pleased we are helping fund a project idea aiming to do just that – exploring real life experiences and giving women a voice in all this manosphere chat. I can’t wait to see the film and make sure they get heard. Read more about this and other projects being funded here.

Priority 5: 

Hate crime and community cohesion

Become the Bridge

I’m proud that my office has become as an early adopter of Become the Bridge. The campaign is led by the North East Anti-Racism Coalition - a collective of individuals and organisations committed to making the North East an anti-racist and anti-hate region.

By joining Become the Bridge campaign, we are part of a growing network of organisations committing to taking practical action against racism in our area which feeds into the work set out in my Police and Crime Plan.

We must all stand together against division and violence and working towards a more inclusive, safer community for all. Find out more about our campaign here. 

Priority 6: 

Victims and justice

Support for male victims of sexual violence and abuse 

After the sentencing of sexual predator Adam Hall last week, following incredible victim-survivor bravery and an impressive investigation by Northumbria Police, I want to highlight that we have a range of commissioned services providing specialist support and counselling for men who have been victim of rape, sexual violence and abuse. These are independent and confidential.

Services include Sunderland Counselling Service, Community Counselling Cooperative and Northumbria Victim and Witness Service

We also have a search tool on our website to help find the right support for you. 

The force also has a dedicated web page supporting ongoing investigations and asks anyone who believes they may be a victim to come forward.
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