It’s been a busy few weeks welcoming thousands of students to our region - with Freshers’ events taking place across our cities and towns.

From Freshers’ Fair stalls in Sunderland to joining neighbourhood officers patrolling Newcastle city centre during the arrival celebrations, the team and I have been out and about meeting students, sharing safety advice and making sure they know where to turn should they ever need help and support. As people have been enjoying nights out and settling into student life, I’ve also been able to see first-hand just how much work goes on behind the scenes by Northumbria Police and partners to keep everyone safe.

Engagement with some officers was particularly high too, with plenty of students a little star-struck after recognising familiar faces from the recent Channel 4 series Geordie Coppers. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s worth a watch! The programme gives a front-row seat to the challenges of policing Newcastle city centre, tackling crime, safeguarding vulnerable people and supporting those who need help.

It has been great to see so many organisations, partners and frontline teams working together to provide a positive welcome to students while helping to keep our communities safe. As the new academic year gets underway, all the work to ensure everyone can live, study and enjoy our region safely won’t stop.  

Best wishes,

Susan

Susan Dungworth
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner

Priority 1: 

Engaged and responsive police force

Early opportunities to intervene

This month, I welcomed the Government’s plans to open 42 new Young Futures Hubs across England. Even better, three of these hubs will be based here in Northumbria, helping more young people access the support they need, when they need it. Newcastle City Council, Northumberland County Council and South Tyneside Council are all set to establish hubs in their areas.

Ensuring young people can access the right help and opportunities is vital. By bringing together mental health support, training and employment opportunities, alongside activities designed to build confidence and resilience, these hubs will help young people develop new skills, broaden their horizons and make positive choices for their future.

As Police and Crime Commissioner, I know how important this kind of investment is – it can play a significant role in preventing crime and reducing vulnerability. By working together, police, councils and partners will be better placed to identify concerns earlier, deliver the right response at the right time, and help prevent young people from becoming victims of exploitation, harm or offending.

Priority 2: 

Crime and antisocial behaviour

Motorbike disorder crackdowns through Op Capio

The illegal use of e-scooters, bikes and off-road motorcycles is a real concern that comes up time and time again when I am out speaking with local residents. 
 
Northumbria Police's targeted days of action, combining enforcement, education and engagement, demonstrate the determination of officers and partners to tackle this issue and keep people safe
 
Recent activity in Gateshead delivered some excellent results, with 12 vehicles seized, including five motorcycles. A range of tactics were used, including plain-clothed patrols, drone technology and tactical ground-level stingers to bring illegal riders to a safe and controlled stop.
 
This work will continue through Operation Capio and the specialist road safety unit's Operation Dragoon, with further activity planned across the force area, and I will continue to monitor progress closely.

I am also dedicating resource from my office to support Northumbria Police’s Op Capio work and help coordinate the wider partnership work, using data and a partnership problem-solving approach to design innovative projects to address motorbike disorder across three pillars:

•  Prevention and education – working with grassroots community organisations and in schools

•  Intervention and diversion – intervening early with those engaging in the behaviour and diverting
   them from offending through training on safe use, maintenance, law and consequences

•  Enforcement and rehabilitation – through alternative to court interventions, and of course
   prosecution where appropriate and proportionate.

Priority 3: 

Serious violence and organised crime

Enforcement is vital, but so is prevention

In recent months, thousands of young people have been reached through knife crime education, mentoring and positive activities, while hundreds of additional hours of visible policing patrols have been delivered as part of ongoing efforts to tackle serious violence and keep communities safe.
 
Working together Northumbria Police, our Violence Reduction Unit and partners have:

•  Delivered 778 extra hours of targeted police patrols through Project Guardian.

•  Reached 1,300+ young people with knife crime awareness and prevention sessions.

•  Supported 117 young people through targeted interventions around knife crime, exploitation and
   drug-related harm.
 
Tailored support and mentors have also been helping those at risk of serious youth violence. All this work helps build safer streets, supporting young people and creating stronger communities across Northumbria.
 
Read more: “Enforcement is vital but so is prevention” says PCC Susan Dungworth as a programme of activity continues to tackle serious violence. - Northumbria PCC

Priority 4: 

Violence against women and girls

Nail Salon turns beauty appointments into a lifeline for women needing help

A manicure can be more than just a treatment. It can be a chance for someone to feel heard, supported and signposted to help. So, I want to say a huge thank you to Nicole and Lucy at Skullen Studios for taking proactive steps to support victims and survivors of domestic abuse through specialist training and new initiatives designed to create a safe and trusted environment for clients.
 
They’ve really help kickstart some important work from the office too – as we have launched our very own new Care in the Chair domestic abuse awareness webinars.
 
These have been designed to help people working across the hair and beauty industry feel more confident in recognising concerns and connecting people with support and we have been blown away by all the interest in this work.
 
Read more: Nail Salon turns beauty appointments into a lifeline for women needing help - Northumbria PCC

Priority 5: 

Hate crime and community cohesion

Safe Travels

I want to give a mention to a brilliant project is being delivered by North Tyneside Disability Forum. Funded through my Commissioner’s Community Fund, they are helping young people with disabilities build confidence, gain independence and feel safer when using public transport.

It’s giving participants an opportunity to develop independent travel skills, learn where to turn for help if they feel unsafe, and share their experiences to help tackle anti-social behaviour and raise awareness of hate crime.
 
It's also a great example of how partners across Safer Transport Northumbria are working together to make our transport network safer, more inclusive, accessible and welcoming for everyone.
 
Read more: https://northumbria-pcc.gov.uk/pcc-funded-project-helping-create-safer-journeys-for-people-with-disabilities/

Priority 6: 

Victims and justice

No child should feel alone

I spent time with The Children's Society last week to hear more about the support they're providing to children and young people at risk of exploitation across our region.

When a child goes missing or is vulnerable to harm, having the right support in place can make all the difference. 

Through my Supporting Victims Programme my office commissions a range of services through The Children's Society to help safeguard young people, disrupt exploitation and provide support tailored to meet individual needs.

Thank you to the team for sharing their experiences and for the vital work they do every day to help some of the most vulnerable children and young people in Northumbria.