As families across Northumbria settle back into the school routine this week, I wanted to thank the many youth organisations that have worked tirelessly throughout the summer holidays. Keeping young people engaged and entertained over the break is no small task, and the opportunities they provide, from activities and trips to mentoring and support, can make a real difference in helping young people develop new skills, build confidence and stay out of trouble.

Over the summer, I’ve visited several brilliant youth projects in places like Berwick and Throckley – all as part of my Commissioner's Community Catch Up. Speaking with young people and hearing their experiences and concerns will help shape the refresh of my Police and Crime Plan.

On a visit to the Prudhoe Youth Project I joined the team at the beautiful Prudhoe Castle to hear about the fantastic range of activities - from community sessions and residentials to one-to-one support and project work - supported with funding through my Commissioner’s Community Fund.

I've also spoken with lots of young people over the summer when I’ve joined the Force’s engagement van and out on the streets too and as part of Operation Toonwatch in Newcastle, and Op Coastwatch in Tynemouth. In addition, I held an event with young farmers at Tynedale Rugby Club. All this engagement has led to great conversations that have been honest, insightful and full of great ideas.

Everyone’s feedback is helping to shape the priorities for policing and community safety across our region, and I look forward to launching the refreshed Police and Crime Plan next month.

Best wishes,

Susan

Susan Dungworth
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner

Priority 1: 

Engaged and responsive police force

Safer Transport Northumbria strategy sets off

Last week, we launched a new strategy to make public transport across Northumbria safer for everyone. It was developed with input from residents, passengers and frontline staff and it focuses on practical steps to improve safety and confidence across public transport in our force area.

As Police and Crime Commissioner, I know safety is about more than crime statistics. It's about ensuring people feel secure when they travel. And so, this strategy brings partners together behind a shared ambition - a safe, welcoming and trusted transport network.

Since 2021, initiatives such as Trojan Metro and the End of the Line campaign have helped reduce incidents and shown the value of partnership working. Now, we're formalising the partnership and building on that progress, with partners all doing their bit to keep public transport safe, accessible and trusted for everyone.

Priority 2: 

Crime and antisocial behaviour

Putting the brakes on illegal riders

Op Capio and Op Dragoon have been busy right across the Force area from Cramlington to South Shields – seizing 800 illegal vehicles in the past 12 months.
 
This includes motorcycles, e-bikes, e-scooters and quad bikes, which have all been linked to reports of:
 
• Anti-social behaviour 
• Being used without a licence or insurance 
• Riding at excessive speeds & dangerously in public spaces 
 
This work is very much ongoing – and Northumbria Police will continue working with partners and using every tactic available to put a stop to motorbike related disorder.
 
This is the action people want to see - tackling dangerous and anti-social riding and making our communities safer.

Priority 3: 

Serious violence and organised crime

Strengthening our response to serious violence

The last Violence Reduction Board brought together partners from policing, health, fire, housing and more. Key areas of progress discussed were:
 
• How our Young Futures prevention panels are ensuring vital support for young people. 
• The additional 360 hours of targeted policing patrols through Project Guardian.
• Work to reduce crime vulnerability and service demand with Project Horizon.
 
It was also a chance to update everyone on what is working working from the range of interventions delivered through the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit, emerging trends and new initiatives to strengthen our response to serious violence.

Priority 4: 

Violence against women and girls

Young women taking on the manosphere

Giving young women a voice, challenging harmful attitudes and starting important conversations – that’s what the Stories of the Manosphere project is all about.
 
With help from my Commissioner’s Community Fund the Young Women’s Film Academy are producing a film that explores the impact of misogyny, online influencers and harmful attitudes towards women and girls.
 
Filming is now underway with scenes being brought to life in a sports hall in Newcastle earlier this month – so I joined up with some of our local media to check it out.
 
Working with professional female filmmakers, young women have helped shape a film that shares real experiences, raises awareness and encourages meaningful discussion.
 
There will be more coming soon on how this film will be used in our schools to help educate and raise awareness – watch this space.

Priority 5: 

Hate crime and community cohesion

Happy birthday Show Racism the Red Card

Congratulations to Show Racism the Red Card on 30 years of important work! 

At the OPCC, we’ve been proud to support the charity for the past 10 years, helping fund projects that tackle racism and make a real difference across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear. 
This work really matters, and it fits closely with the aims of my Plan for safer streets and stronger communities. 

There’s still a way to go, but we’re committed to continuing that work together doing all we can to keep challenging racism. 

Priority 6: 

Victims and justice

New course helps victim-survivors of domestic abuse

“Without this course, some of the women I met said they might never have had the chance to be where they are today” those words really stayed with me when I visited Handcrafted Projects in Sunderland this month and heard from women who’ve taken part in their 12-week Own My Life course.
 
The course is helping women who have experienced domestic abuse to make sense of what they’ve been through, rebuild their confidence and start to feel more in control of their lives again.
 
What I loved was how open and honest the women were about their experiences — and how much they supported and encouraged each other. You could really feel the sense of community.
 
I am so pleased my Supporting Victims programme funding is helping make it possible. It’s a great example of what can happen when we put the right support in place and give people the chance to rebuild their lives.
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