North East anti-social behaviour crackdown sees 103 arrests and huge drop in two Tyneside areas
by Sam Volpe · ChronicleLiveA crackdown on anti-social behaviour (ASB) has seen 103 arrests since July across the Northumbria Police force area.
That's come as pat of what the police force and its partners have called "Project Shield" - and this has seen more than 14,000 extra hours of patrolling across ASB and serious violence hotspots. As a result, the police said there had been weapons seized, positive engagement with the public, and more than 100 arrests.
The extra patrols have been fuding by the Police and Crime Commissioner's office. Figures shared this week show, the project teams said, a reduction of 19% in anti-social behaviour in hotspot areas - while serious violence is said to be down 6%.
The South Shields and Meadow Well areas are among those to have seen the biggest reductions in ASB - with the figures released by the PCC's office showing it is down 48% in South Shields and 35% in Meadow Well, when compared to the same period last year.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “We launched Project Shield back in July to come together and boost resource and boost visibility and it’s having a real impact on both ASB and serious violence. I really believe increased visibility like this is crucial to people feeling safe and comfortable in their community. There has been a lot of good work happening and it’s paying off – I want to see this continue.”
The PCC added that the success of the project had been down to more than just patrols - with a "huge variety of work" going on behind the scenes. She added: "On one hand our police are busy with warrants and arrests and on the other hand, we have a whole raft of prevention, support and diversion work. It really is about coming together to deliver safer streets and stronger communities.”
Northumbria Police's Chief Superintendent Joanne Park-Simmons, of Northumbria Police, added: “Project Shield is a vital part of our work in reducing serious violence and ASB across the Force area and we are encouraged by these latest figures and the clear progress being made.
“No-one should have to live with this kind of criminality on their doorstep and rest assured we have much more activity planned in the coming weeks and months to tackle serious violence and ASB, using all the powers and resources at our disposal. If there are issues with serious violence and ASB in your area, please contact us so that we can take the appropriate action."
South Tyneside Council's community safety lead Coun Jim Foreman said: “This is a fantastic result and shows that we are really delivering for our communities. We’ve been working hard alongside our partners to crack down on ASB because our residents consistently tell us that it is one of their top priorities.
“Our Project Shield officers, working with the business and community responders, are a valuable asset who provide a visible, reassuring presence, helping to target hotspot areas. This operation is really paying dividends in helping create stronger, safer communities.”
In North Tyneside, his counterpart Coun Karen Clark said how the results from the project "speak for themselves". She added: "These extra patrol hours are helping to make our communities safer and reassure residents, alongside our ongoing efforts to tackle the root causes of ASB. We remain committed to this work, ensuring our neighbourhoods stay safe, secure, and welcoming for all."
Project Shield is being carried out thanks to funding from the PCC's office through the "Hotspot Response Fund" - and it will run to March next year. Along with the police, local authorities in Northumberland, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Gateshead and Sunderland, the project also involves Nexus, Stagecoach and the British Transport Police.
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