Over 3,000 online responses to Police and Crime Commissioner policing consultation

Tackling violence against women, anti-social behaviour, and burglaries are among the top policing priorities for people living in the Northumbria Police area.

Over 3,200 online submissions, alongside the view of numerous regional organisations, have been compiled as part of a public consultation on the future of policing priorities. The consultation began in July this year after being launched by newly elected Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth, but was extended beyond August in the aftermath of the riots seen this summer.

The feedback has since been compiled and informed the PCC's draft police and crime plan for 2025-2029. The draft police and crime plan, unveiled to councillors across the North East at Gateshead Civic Centre, states the PCC wishes to see Northumbria Police support the delivery of behavioural change programmes for men and boys to reduce harmful attitudes towards women and girls.

In November this year, the PCC announced a free online resource, dubbed 'It All Adds Up', a series of short films designed to raise awareness and educate kids aged 14-18 to help tackle the spread of misogynist ideas.

The second priority in the draft plan includes anti-social behaviour, ranging from issues with road safety to shoplifting. The draft police and crime plan calls on Northumbria Police to work with regional councils to reduce the harm on the roads caused through speeding and explore "restorative justice" in cases of shoplifting. The report also highlights "motorbike disorder" as a serious cause for concern among the public.

The PPC's draft plan also calls on the force to reduce the levels of residential burglary across the region. This is in conjunction with providing support for victims of burglary, especially the vulnerable, and preventing them from being re-targeted.

PPC Susan Dungworth said: "It is always a balance, the Police and Crime Plan. I could have all the desires and intentions in the world but if that is not deliverable by the police force it is pointless. This is about working very closely with the chief constable around what those priorities look like in terms of deliverability from the force and that is an on-going conversation and carries once the plan is there.

"What you get from over-arching priorities is the ability to be fleet of foot and responsive and change certain things underneath that in terms of how that is delivered."

Other priorities included in the draft, which will also receive feedback from the force, include tackling organised crime, hate crime, and improving the awareness of support available for victims of crime.

Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community

Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community for all the latest news direct to your phone.

To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press 'join community'.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.

If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN