Police & Crime Plan 2021-2025 - Fighting crime. Preventing crime. Improving lives - Northumbria PCC
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Police &
Crime Plan
2021–2025
Fighting crime.
Preventing crime.
Improving lives.
northumbria-pcc.gov.uk
A message from your
Police and Crime Commissioner.
I have always been passionate about Here in the North East, we have a you informed of everything that’s
the North East and I am honoured force that listens well, responds to happening. You can sign up to my
to have been elected to represent views and ideas and puts them into newsletter on my website too.
the views of local people so we can action. A force that isn’t afraid to be
work together to make real change bold and do things differently and a I look forward to working with you
happen. As your Police and Crime force that is committed to improving and Northumbria Police on bringing
Commissioner, I’m here to give you its performance and the service it this plan to life.
a voice on police and crime matters. provides. We all want the North East to
My job is to oversee our police force be the very best it can be and feeling
because that’s what it is – our force. safe, secure and supported by our
police is at the heart of this.
To everyone who took part in the huge
consultation we held to help shape We are already delivering real change
this plan, I am very grateful, and in and this plan is our opportunity to
return you have my word; I will make build on that. Before COVID-19 took Kim McGuinness
sure Northumbria Police delivers on hold and we went into lockdown, our Police and Crime Commissioner
its commitments to keeping you, your region saw knife crime fall 17 per cent
family, and your community safe. I compared to the previous year – a
want to make sure that not only are really promising drop. And from April
officers out there fighting crime and 2020 to March 2021 the force will
responding to emergencies but that we have taken on 459 new officers. Not
are planning for future generations and only is this well above the targets set
preventing crime from happening too. by government but it’s record level
recruitment for the force as we work to
So what we have created here is a four reverse the numbers cut by austerity.
year plan which, crucially, will also see I know that building our force back up
us through a critical time when we are is what local people want to see – a
learning to live with and recover from strong police force, fit for the future
a pandemic which has placed immense and that’s what this plan sets out to
strain on us all. Northumbria Police achieve.
has certainly had to adapt to a great
deal over the last 12 months and I’m This is your plan so let’s keep
very thankful for the hard work and talking. You can follow the work of
dedication we have seen right across my office on Twitter, Facebook and
our force during such challenging times. Instagram where I will regularly keep
2 Police and Crime Plan / 2021–2025 3
About
this plan. Contents.
This Police and Crime Plan sets out how your 6. Policing at a glance
priorities will be acted on by Northumbria
Police, covering the years 2021 to 2025. 8. Plan on a page
The document goes over the key areas of focus the force will 10. Y
our priorities
be expected to deliver on, alongside other national policing
requirements. It was put together after a region-wide consultation 10. Fighting crime
process in which thousands of residents and organisations had
their say on what those priorities should be. 16. Preventing crime
This plan will form the basis of how I hold the force to account for 20. Improving lives
you the public, and as part of that process I will report regularly
on the force’s performance towards your priorities. 24. Your plan in action
The plan also commits our region to working together, and I will 24. Anti-social behaviour
continue to work with community safety organisations, victim
support, criminal justice services and others to ensure our streets 26. Reducing crime
are safer.
28. Preventing violent crime
Alongside this, the Strategic Policing Requirement identifies 30. Neighbourhood policing
threats to national security and risks that need to be countered by
countrywide policing capabilities. I am committed to supporting 32. Support for victims
Northumbria Police in playing a full and active role in tackling
national threats such as terrorism, civil emergencies, threats 34. Tackling domestic and sexual abuse
to public order, national cyber or digital crime and child sexual
abuse. Forces need to work collaboratively on these issues and
the Chief Constable and I will ensure that Northumbria Police can
36. Resources
play its part.
38. How I will report back to you
Of course, policing is a constantly evolving process, and our lives
and community needs also change. That’s why I am committing 39. Delivering on the plan
to an annual refresh of this plan, making sure it is still relevant to
the needs of our region.
If you have any thoughts on policing and crime prevention,
you can contact me at enquiries@northumbria-pcc.gov.uk
4 Police and Crime Plan / 2021–2025 5
Ours is the 6th largest force in the country
and is made up of three Area Commands.
Working for Northumbria Police are
3,154 police officers; 1,649 police staff;
125 Special Constables and 204 Police
Community Support Officers. At the time
of writing, we are going through our
biggest recruitment drive yet and are
working hard to build our police officer
numbers up after a decade of austerity.
My office has a relatively small team
who work to make Northumbria Police
accountable to you, managing the
budget and the police estate, driving
collaboration, working with a wide range
of partners, commissioning services and
delivering a Violence Reduction Unit.
Policing Northumbria Police
on a typical day:
at a glance.
• Phone calls received 2,444
• 999 calls 672
• Incidents recorded 1,134
• Crimes recorded 402
• Arrests made 84
Our wonderful region stretches There are 632,061 households in • Miles travelled 30,991
for more than 2,000 square miles, Northumbria, 32% of the population
is aged 20-44 years-old, whilst 18% is • Serious road collisions attended 4
from the Scottish Border to County
Durham; from the Pennines to aged over 65. 29% of families (181,208) • Breath tests administered 12
have someone with a long-term health
the North East coast. It is made
problem or disability. Almost 95% of the
up of North and South Tyneside, Amongst other crimes,
population is white, while 5% (77,106) are
Sunderland, Newcastle, Gateshead from minority ethnic groups, mainly Asian officers will deal with:
and Northumberland. Our region or Asian British (3%). 69% of Northumbria
has it all – rural, urban and coastal • Residential burglary 14
people identified with a recognised
communities – and they all need their religion. 66% said that they were Christian, • Thefts 83
own special focuses. 2% are Muslim and many other religions • Thefts from motor vehicle 15
were also followed in smaller numbers.
• Thefts of motor vehicle 6
Northumbria has three large shopping • Violent crimes 146
centres – the Metrocentre, Eldon Square
• Robberies 2
and The Bridges, and four universities –
Northumbria, Newcastle, Sunderland and • Road traffic incidents 16
the Open University in the North. • Missing person reports 29
6 Police and Crime Plan / 2021–2025 Policing at a glance. 7
Fighting crime Preventing crime Improving lives
Plan Priority 1
Anti-social behaviour
Priority 3
Preventing violent crime
Priority 5
Support for victims
on a
We need a plan to prevent people,
Anti-social behaviour is an issue in many particularly young people, getting into Being a victim of crime can undermine a
parts of our region, and in many cases it’s a life of violent crime. person’s confidence and make them unhappy
about something other than laws being or frightened. It can affect a person’s outlook
page.
broken and criminality. on life, that’s why it is so important that we
That’s why I set up a Violence Reduction
put victims at the heart of policing.
Unit to ensure the police are not alone
I’m committed to hiring more police in standing up to violent crime and I am
officers and supporting youth services to Protecting vulnerable victims is absolutely
committed to its long-term success. a priority for Northumbria Police and I will
help your neighbourhood.
continue to make sure this focus remains.
I will ensure there is a clear plan to
I will ensure the police support others to reduce serious and violent crime –
reduce anti-social behaviour, including I will introduce a new system for
targeting the illegal drugs trade and supporting victims of crime, whilst
education providers, local councils and the crime that follows this.
The North East is one of the safest housing organisations. continuing to invest in the services that
support people through this journey.
places to live in the country, and it is I will publish data on the number of
my job to ensure it remains that way. I will report back exactly how many crimes involving serious violence with a I will tell you how many victims of crime
I will give the force the resources it incidents of ASB the police have dealt with, knife, as well as the number of hospital have been supported, their satisfaction
needs to tackle these crimes, keep whether this has gone up or down and admissions for knife-related, serious with the service provided and how we are
what is being done to keep crime down. violence.
you safe, and reduce crime in your meeting the Victims’ Code of Practice.
community.
Priority 2 Priority 4 Priority 6
In Northumbria, we are committed Reducing crime Neighbourhood policing Tackling domestic abuse
to preventing crime before it is able
to manifest itself in our communities At the core of my work for the public is and sexual violence
Early intervention keeps crime down,
– we believe that by working with, a simple aim; I am elected to ensure the and the best way to achieve this is with
police fight crime and keep you safe. Violence and abuse can blight
and improving the lives of our trusted neighbourhood police officers communities and lead to devastating
communities, we can prevent this and staff. consequences. It has devastating,
Crime and anti-social behaviour can
occurring. Using a public health traumatic and long-lasting impact on
damage and destroy lives, and the public The Chief Constable and I have agreed
approach, and through my Violence want to see crime reduced – myself and victims, families and wider communities.
Reduction Unit, we will work with that neighbourhood policing is a top
the Chief Constable will continue to work priority, alongside working with other
individuals and families to improve together to reduce these crimes. I will make it my business to encourage
organisations such as local councils to people to come forward and report it, and
lives to prevent crime.
help keep our streets safe. support them through their experience
I will ensure the force reduces volumes of
when they do.
Crime can destroy livelihoods and crime committed and has the technology I will continue to invest and support
communities, and that is not right. I and training needed to keep our streets neighbourhood policing, whilst I will continue to develop our methods
am committed to ensuring victims of safe while maintaining a focus on serious engaging with communities to ensure of support, increase our education offer,
crime get the best possible support and organised crime. their priorities are being acted upon. build on our VAWG strategy and challenge
and they are put at the heart of the the force to ensure the best support for
I will report back on how many crimes are I will seek public feedback and victims is provided.
criminal justice system. I will also
being committed in different parts of the confidence in the force and report
invest the proceeds recovered from Northumbria force area.
criminals back into communities to back on this. If this falls, I will ensure I will tell the public exactly how many
the force are held to account. victims have reported these crimes, how
provide projects to improve the lives
many of these are repeat incidents and
of those affected. how many victims are satisfied with their
service from Northumbria Police.
8 Police and Crime Plan / 2021–2025 Plan on a page. 9
Your
priorities.
Fighting Giving the force the tools of this, I have authorised budgets which example, replacing departing and
to do the job. will ensure that over the course of this retiring officers.
plan every police officer will have access
crime.
From anti-social behaviour to serious and to taser training if relevant to their role, Alongside this, I will oversee the
organised crime, we need to make sure the ensuring those who protect us are kept multi-million pound refresh of force
force has the resources it needs to keep safe and those who threaten our safety infrastructure, especially digital
our neighbourhoods safe. face well-equipped officers. infrastructure, ensuring Northumbria
The North East is one of the safest Police is equipped to deal with emerging
places in the country and my job is to I will continue to ensure Northumbria I have also committed to reversing the crime trends.
ensure Northumbria Police maintain Police has a solid financial footing from impacts of austerity when it comes to
their great record here. That’s why my which to plan and respond to public safety officer numbers. Since 2010, Northumbria By giving Northumbria Police these
demands. After ten years of austerity, Police has lost some 1,100 officers and resources I can ensure that the force is
number one priority is fighting crime
police forces now urgently need long- £140m from its budget. ready to deliver on your priorities.
in our region.
term funding certainty from central
government, and I will continue to lobby The government has so far offered to
for this for our region. replace only around a third of those
officers, a figure which doesn’t go far
As Police and Crime Commissioner, I enough. In response to public demands
have backed the force with the frontline for a strong police force, I have committed
resources needed to fight crime. As part to going above and beyond government
recruitment targets, including for
10 Police and Crime Plan / 2021–2025 Your priorities. Fighting crime. 11
Tackling crime. Serious and organised crime. a strong track record in tackling burglary,
and I commit to regularly publishing
Whether it’s a small number of people Organised crime often operates at an burglary data so the public can see that
making a neighbourhood unhappy with international level, but its impact can be Northumbria continues to have a strong
anti-social behaviour or the organised seen on our streets. Every part of the record on tackling burglary. I’ll also back
crime gangs that infuriate our sense of force has a role to play in tackling this, home safety measures in the most at risk
justice, crime has no place in our region. especially neighbourhood policing, and I areas to help people feel more secure in
will continue to ensure Northumbria Police their own home.
This Police and Crime Plan commits the have the resources they need to contribute
police to tackling crime, using all available at every level.
resource to reduce crime and to stand by
our communities for the greater good. We know, for example, that criminals
involved in serious and organised crime
frequently commit ‘low level’ crimes in
The illegal drugs trade. their local area, sometimes creating a
climate of fear. I will back Northumbria
Drug addiction destroys lives, spreads County Lines. These are drugs networks Police to disrupt organised crime at every
crime and fear, and puts money in the in which organised crime groups and level, ensuring the public can see that
hands of organised criminals; Northumbria professional criminals from elsewhere those who try to profit from crime are
Police will target and disrupt the illegal exploit vulnerable people in rural locations, targeted and inappropriate role models
drugs trade at all levels and I will ensure towns and smaller cities to sell drugs, are stopped in their tracks.
they deliver on this commitment. often forcing people into committing
criminal acts based on violence, debt, I will ensure your police continue targeting
Part of the answer to the drugs misery we addiction and lies. the organised crime groups behind the
see on our streets is direct police action, illegal drugs trade, ensuring those who
investigating drug dealers, arresting them For the people at the top of these seek to profit from the misery of addiction
and taking them to court. But part of networks this is a business and it can be are in our sights and brought to justice.
the response has to be about supporting a sophisticated operation. For the victims
those with addictions, those people who who are sucked in, this ruins lives and Northumbria Police works regionally
often turn to crime to fund their addiction. blights communities. with Durham and Cleveland police forces
I will work with others to try and rebuild to tackle serious organised crime as a
drug treatment programmes lost to Part of the solution to this will be Regional Organised Crime Unit, as well
austerity. This will include looking at ensuring Northumbria Police use the full as with the National Crime Agency,
wider help available to those suffering enforcement options available to break which comprises operational teams,
from substance abuse and mental health up County Lines, and punish the gangs Regional Asset Recovery Team, Regional
concerns. responsible. But part of the solution will Intelligence Unit, Regional Cyber Unit and
involve finding those at risk and getting other functions.
A new threat that has grown since the last them out of a life of crime.
Police and Crime Plan is the emergence of The North East Regional Special
Operations Unit provides specialist
capabilities to tackle serious and
organised crime in support of
Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland
Police forces.
Reducing burglary.
Burglary is a crime that often feels deeply
personal, and many people taking part
in my police and crime plan survey said
they wanted to see those who commit this
crime brought to justice. I’m proud to be
Police Commissioner for a force that has
12 Police and Crime Plan / 2021–2025 Your priorities. Fighting crime. 13
Online crime. Stolen farm equipment, livestock thefts
Responding to your needs. Business crime.
and sheep worrying are all typical crimes
Cybercrime, including online fraud, is a known to impact those living in rural areas In order to fight crime, people need to In the North East we boast a strong, vibrant
growing threat both regionally, nationally but I want to make sure issues like domestic have the confidence that the force will business community and it’s vital we do all
and internationally. abuse and violence aren’t hidden crimes respond when they are called upon. We we can to protect it. The impact of business
that get forgotten about in the remote know that satisfaction is linked to the crime can be very damaging, particularly to
The type, frequency and sophistication parts of our region too. To make sure of this, experience at the first point of contact small or medium sized enterprises – losses
of cyber-enabled crimes are continually I’m determined to keep supporting rural with the police and in keeping the caller can ruin them. I’m pleased with how local
increasing, ranging from organised crime policing. Over the past year, I have allocated updated. I will ensure that when you business owners recognise the importance
groups to individuals targeting victims via funds for investment in the police vehicle call the police there is an appropriate of working closely with our officers, sharing
social media. fleet, as well as tools for rural policing and I response. Emergency calls to the police intelligence and making sure they’re taking
want to keep investing further to help fight need an emergency response, and I will the right steps to prevent them from being
I’ll commit to raising awareness of and prevent all crimes that take place in ensure the force continue to focus on targeted by criminals. I will make sure
cybercrime and fraud and enhance the the countryside. response times. Northumbria Police keeps building on its
force’s investigation of these cases. I’ll focus on preventing and fighting business
explore with the force the potential for I understand the negative impact rural crime When incidents come into our control crimes such as theft, cybercrime and fraud.
more dedicated cyber fraud campaigns, can have on remote communities, but there room they are assessed using an approach
and back the cyber volunteers who bring is a real positive in the way that volunteers called THRIVE, which is used by policing I will also continue to give my full support
even more expertise to Northumbria Police. and local partners come together to keep nationally to determine how best to to schemes and initiatives that help
Many cyber-enabled crimes lead to complex neighbourhoods safe and I’m proud of respond. THRIVE stands for Threat, raise awareness and tackle issues in the
investigations, and I’m committed to this. We will remain proactive in policing Harm, Risk, Investigation opportunities, workplace too, from the continued roll-out
ensuring the force has the resources to carry rural crime to ensure communities are Vulnerability and Engagement. This of our nationally-acclaimed Hate Crime
these out. But we must recognise that online protected. In recent years, we’ve seen assessment allows a judgement to be Champions Scheme to lending my support
crime ignores all borders, and it’s clear our Farmwatch and Operation Checkpoint, our made about the response required and to the Co-op’s Respect for Shopworkers
response has to be part of a co-ordinated network of rural crime volunteers, go from places the needs of the victim at the campaign.
national approach. strength to strength and we need to build centre of that decision. Your force will
on this. With such a vast, largely isolated continue its commitment to this approach
Northumbria Police also need to be backed landscape, every bit of intelligence gathered to help provide victims with a bespoke
to tackle other online crimes, including and every report of suspicious activity can response fitting their needs based on what
abuse and exploitation. I’ll work with the make a difference, and it does. has happened.
force to ensure those grooming children
online or those who download or share As part of this commitment, I will
images of abuse are found and those at publish regular information setting out
risk are helped. I will continue to ensure call handling and response time data.
early identification of child and adult sexual
exploitation cases and provision of long-
term support for victims to assist their
recovery.
Rural crime.
Rural crime can have a devastating impact
on our more isolated communities, of which
there are many within our region. So, it’s
important to me that these communities
feel heard, well-connected and supported
by their police force. Recent reports have
found that Northumbria continues to be
amongst those least affected by rural crime
but it is happening and while the figures
represent lots of hard work, the fight against
rural crime is still as important as ever.
14 Police and Crime Plan / 2021–2025 Your priorities. Fighting crime. 15
young people, working with those who but there is also evidence that effective
could become the biggest risk to others, youth diversion is better for young people
alongside key services and organisations than getting stuck in the criminal justice
to address wider needs of other family system. I will work with others to ensure
members such as siblings. young people have the option of doing
more than just hanging around on street
I will back continued funding for the life- corners and getting enticed into anti-
changing youth workers at the You Only social behaviour and other crimes.
Live Once (YOLO) project. This scheme
involves matching young people to We see the benefits of youth
footballing and other mentors from the diversionary work when we look at the
Foundation of Light and the Newcastle criminal gangs that young people could
United Foundation and has had many otherwise be involved with, and this is
success stories to date. Working with 8-14 especially true of the emerging County
year-olds, the scheme supports those who Lines style drugs trade.
are at risk of slipping into a life of crime.
It’s about showing young, often vulnerable In order to prevent vulnerable people
people, that there is another way – anti- being coerced into gangs or exploited
social behaviour, knife crime and violence through the people behind County Lines
don’t have to be a part of your life, it’s not drugs-dealing operations, I will ensure
too late. young people are aware of the dangers
Your
and risks involved in criminal gangs.
Alongside this, it is clear that after ten
years of government austerity we need to We will continue to do this through
increase the provision of family support education and intervention – both in school
priorities.
within areas of most need. This approach and colleges, and community settings.
has two elements: the promotion of Through our Education Engagement
universal services to all and the targeting Team we are able to engage thousands
of specific services to those who need of young people a month in a safe and
them at the earliest opportunity. trusted setting. Then to complement that,
our intervention partners can engage with
The Community Link Worker projects, a different audience in the community and
funded by the Violence Reduction Unit, work with young people to direct them
Preventing
I am committed to using a public health are an example of the long-term approach away from criminality, and address any
approach to reducing violence. That we are seeking to support families most needs identified.
means treating violence the same way in need – empowering them to develop
crime. we would a disease, recognising the
symptoms, understanding the causes and
then stopping its transmission, helping
resilience and seek out support services
at the earliest opportunity. By utilising
those with lived experiences to develop
We live in a safe region, and part of
the reason for that is because across
many different sectors there are people
people to avoid it and giving people the relationships with families and knock down dedicated to keeping the North East safe.
I will continue to fight for a well- tools they need to tackle it. previous trust barriers, we aim to reduce As your Police and Crime Commissioner
resourced police force to ensure public the burden on frontline services such as I will coordinate this early intervention
safety, but we cannot simply arrest our There is a strong commitment across the police. and prevention approach and implement
way out of crime. As your Police and Northumbria to tackle the root causes a serious violence and criminal
Crime Commissioner I have worked with of violent crime and in the years ahead, One way I will help keep people, especially exploitation strategy to ensure we are
the Chief Constable to ensure we are the prevention element of the region’s young people, out of crime is support for all working together to prevent crime.
violence reduction efforts will focus on a youth services. Effective youth diversion
intervening to stop crime in its tracks.
package of measures to reduce crime. can reduce crime and create better One key way to prevent crime is by working
One key tool in that mission has outcomes for young people. But after a with local councils and their Community
This will include taking a direct approach decade of austerity, youth services are Safety Partnerships, and I will continue to
been the Violence Reduction Unit. I to intervening with those who are showing already cut back. There is strong evidence work with these organisations as a key part
established this team with the belief signs of vulnerability or are on the fringes that early involvement in the criminal of delivering on your priorities.
that if we improve lives we can prevent of criminal/anti-social activity. This will justice system significantly increases the
crime, especially violent crime. take the form of direct intervention with likelihood of young people reoffending,
16 Police and Crime Plan / 2021–2025 Your priorities. Preventing crime. 17
Reducing reoffending. Roads policing.
In some cases, the police and other I will work with probation and other Many of you have expressed your where local residents have asked for
criminal justice organisations are dealing services to promote changes which concerns about people driving too fast them and there is intelligence to suggest
with people for who criminality is already are known to reduce reoffending such and not paying attention to the roads in they will make a difference. We will do all
a way of life. A small number of repeat as opportunities around employment, your neighbourhood. Every year too many we can to keep neighbourhoods safe.
offenders are responsible for a significant training and education. We will seek to lives are lost on our region’s roads due to Road safety doesn’t just concern those
proportion of all crime. As is the case engage at the earliest opportunity and reckless, dangerous or criminal motorists. behind the wheel either, and from
nationally, evidence shows that short- support and guide individuals to access So, our objective is clear – reduce harm on what you’ve told me we need to keep
term custodial sentences are ineffective services to address their issues. the roads and promote safer driving. promoting the message that roads are
in terms of rehabilitation and desistance a shared space for all users. As well as
from crime. 64.5% of prisoners released Access to employment and training is I will work with the Chief Constable working with others to offer advice to
from sentences of less than 12 months widely recognised as a significant factor to enhance our road safety initiatives vulnerable road users, helping them to
reoffend within one year. This is much in relation to offending and successful throughout both our rural and urban drive safely and responsibly, we need to
higher than the 38% who reoffend after rehabilitation. By providing additional areas. We will also make sure Northumbria ensure action will be taken against those
serving a community-based sentence. For support to address the need, we are Police’s long-standing commitment who endanger other road users and
dangerous criminals, prison should always increasing the likelihood of individuals to road safety through Operation pedestrians.
be an option, but we need to explore out- maintaining engagement with support Dragoon continues to address your
of-court action for others, where swift services and reducing offending behaviour. concerns. Together, we will develop
justice can benefit everyone. fresh educational campaigns and carry
I will develop and implement a strategy out targeted enforcement. While we
There is local evidence to suggest that on reducing reoffending which continue to focus on education, cameras
most victims are happy with the outcome understands and addresses factors which are another tactic to help tackle those
of a conditional caution which requires can lead to criminal behaviour including unwilling to follow the rules. Speed
the offender to engage in a rehabilitative mental health and substance misuse. camera vans will be out in the areas
intervention and makes sure the offender
faces up to the impact they have had on
the victim.
18 Police and Crime Plan / 2021–2025 Your priorities. Preventing crime. 19Supporting people through
the justice system.
Whether you are a victim of crime or a improve the experience of everyone
witness, I understand that navigating seeking justice. This is why I have, and will
the criminal justice system can be continue to, lobby government to roll-out
daunting, and as your Police and Crime an innovative Northumbria pilot scheme,
Commissioner, I want to put victims and which has seen the success of offering
witnesses at the heart of the criminal free and independent legal advocacy to
justice system. I will work with partners complainants of sexual violence and abuse.
to ensure a fair, just and effective
progression of cases. In particular, work As was evidenced in a report by
will continue to improve the timeliness Loughborough University, it would cost
and effectiveness of domestic abuse trials the government just £3.9 million annually
within Northumbria Magistrates’ Courts. to get legal help to victims in need, in
England and Wales. We’ve seen how
The Victims’ Code of Practice sets out doing this has improved best practice in
a level of service victims should receive police and CPS responses, and improved
from the criminal justice system. As the overall victim experience. Committing
PCC, I will monitor Northumbria Police’s funding to this would be a small price
performance against the code and
Your
to pay to help improve conviction rates
ensure they comply with the things and treat victims with the respect they
you said were most important to you deserve. I will do all I can to continue
including: speaking out for victims so we can
priorities.
improve lives and prevent further crime.
•w ritten acknowledgement that a crime
has been committed;
• an assessment of your support needs as
a victim of crime;
•opportunity to make a Victim Personal
Statement telling us how the crime has
affected you;
Improving As part of this commitment,
I have reformed how victim
services are delivered, to ensure
• feedback on the progression and
outcome of your case; and
• the Victim Contact Scheme that, if
lives. there is a support team there to
help those feeling vulnerable after
being a victim of crime.
needed, provides advance notification
of a prisoner’s release.
Crime, and the fear of crime, can At present, a priority for us all remains
I have also committed to taking money the impact that COVID-19 has had on
cause far-reaching damage both to illegally earned by criminals and giving
individuals and local communities. the progression of cases through the
it back to local communities. I set up Criminal Justice System. Locally, I have
I want to make sure no one suffers a community fund that uses money commissioned a Recovery Group where
alone, and that there is always recovered from criminals to benefit the police, CPS and courts are working
support available for victims of crime grassroots projects, and over the course together to reduce delays and provide
or parts of our region that have been of this Police and Crime Plan I will top up opportunities for victims and witnesses
hit by crime. that fund with money recovered through to give evidence remotely.
the Proceeds of Crime Act.
I’m also committed to influencing, where
I can, the bigger picture. By changing
the whole system nationally, we can
20 Police and Crime Plan / 2021–2025 Your priorities. Improving lives. 21Stalking and harassment. a diverse range of backgrounds to better Mental health. Use of force and
reflect the communities we serve.
I am pleased that Northumbria Police After a decade of austerity and cuts to stop and search.
have pioneered new ways of investigating My vision for equality, diversity and public services, mental health concerns I know that for the public to have
stalking, harassment and coercive control inclusion is one where everyone is treated are a regular feature of day-to-day confidence in the police, there needs to be
using a range of advanced technologies. fairly and with respect, and has the right policing. Like other forces, Northumbria trust that the police will treat them with
Welcome improvements have also been to the same opportunities, freedoms and is now routinely dealing with the respect, make fair decisions and take time to
made to the risk assessment process. equal access to services. We value and consequences of reduced availability of engage and explain their actions.
celebrate the differences of individuals mental health services. Northumbria Police
Stalking, whether in person or online, is a and communities by embracing people’s have been responding to an increase in Some areas of business cause concerns for
distressing and potentially life-threatening different perspectives, ideas, knowledge complex cases in which their frontline communities and can impact on confidence
crime and must be taken very seriously. and cultures to strengthen communities. officers are acting as the first point of and trust in a significant way. We all know
I will work with Northumbria Police to By recognising the benefits of a diverse contact to people with mental health that for the police, the power to stop and
ensure that relevant legislation and workforce where difference is welcomed, needs that are in crisis. search people who they suspect of being
powers are effectively adhered to, and people can use their unique talents to involved in crime is an important crime-
measured in my scrutiny process. I know provide services that meet the needs of Alongside this pressure, our victim support fighting tactic. As part of my scrutiny
that many victims of stalking want to see diverse communities across Northumbria. services report that mental health is the programme, I will ensure that stop and
concerning behaviours result in immediate main support need being presented by search is only used when police have
action – to protect the victim and As part of this commitment, I will ensure victims and referrals to specialist mental sufficient grounds to act thereby protecting
effectively deal with the perpetrator. With the police recruitment process reflects the health services remain high. communities. Where there is disparity
thorough training, officers will be able to diversity of our region. Your force should between different racial groups, the police
intervene and take action at the earliest look like your community. Northumbria Police will continue to will work to reduce this rate.
opportunity. promote mental health awareness and
work with other emergency services to When fighting crime, there will sometimes
Community cohesion make sure that people facing a mental need to be a use of force, such as handcuffs.
Hate crime. and extremism. health crisis get the appropriate support. On your behalf, I will monitor the use of
But this will not in itself solve the problems force by Northumbria Police. I want to
Tackling hate is an area in which we It is crucial that people get on well we face. I will continue to lobby for better
are leading the way – with a nationally know that they understand where and how
together, respect differences and work resourced mental health services. these tactics are used, any disparity in their
acclaimed Hate Crime Champions Scheme. towards achieving shared goals.
This programme helps people explore the use and that ongoing internal and external
impact of hate on victims and the wider scrutiny can see that force, when used, is
Working with communities is at the heart Complaints. applied lawfully and proportionately.
community, the barriers to reporting and of what Northumbria Police does. I will
the best ways to seek help. I take complaints about Northumbria
continue to support all efforts working with
Police very seriously and want to
While I am proud to be Police and Crime
partners to strengthen relations, understand
make sure that the service provided to Environmental policy.
issues and improve cohesion. As well as
Commissioner of such a welcoming region communities is professional, effective and Northumbria Police is a major employer
actively tackling extremism, I will ensure our
made up of many diverse communities, efficient. and provider of services to the community,
force continues to build on collective efforts
there are always some people who want to prevent vulnerable people from being and its activities and operations will
to incite hatred and that’s completely It is important your complaints are inevitably have an impact on the
drawn into extremist activity.
unacceptable. I want all victims to feel listened to and that you receive a timely environment. I will continue to ensure the
listened to, whoever you are, whatever response from Northumbria Police. Often force works to reduce its carbon footprint,
your background. I want you to know that complaints can identify areas where especially in areas such as building design
Northumbria Police are here for you and service delivery can be improved and I or supply chain issues.
we are committed to ensuring that all receive regular reports from Northumbria
victims get the right support to overcome Police that tell me how many complaints
their experience. have been received. These can identify any
trends in complaints, disparity between
I recognise the importance of reaching out different communities or geographical
to those communities who are perhaps areas within Northumbria and most
uncomfortable contacting the police. importantly any learning that Northumbria
We will do all we can to strengthen Police have identified from analysis of their
relationships with all communities and complaints process.
we will continue striving to recruit from
22 Police and Crime Plan / 2021–2025 Your priorities. Improving lives. 23Your plan
in action.
Anti-social
behaviour.
Anti-social behaviour is a concern in many parts of
I will improve this by:
our region; it is one of the most frequent issues reported
to the police and undoubtedly impacts on the lives of • Working with your councils to build ASB are identified and get a prioritised
many people. joint ASB task forces, ensuring every response. I will ensure these are used
local organisation plays their part to their full effect to support victims of
ASB concerns include the behaviour of some neighbours, in working alongside the police to ASB and that you can find out about
people behaving in a loud and disorderly manner, public address concerns about ASB. I will this easily.
drinking or drug use, dog fouling, littering and riding of support the roll out of this approach
motorbikes. The people involved often concentrate in to some of our most affected • Continuing to hold senior police and
public areas such as parks and can impact on the sense communities. Such projects are local authority leaders to account for
of safety of the wider community. already established in Gateshead and their response to community concerns
Southwick and are being developed in around ASB, my expectation is that the
Northumbria Police are committed to addressing anti- Ashington, Wallsend and other areas. public will get a prompt and effective
social behaviour in both urban and rural settings. We These are working. Let’s establish response with these organisations
know that to do so effectively requires working with more. jointly taking ownership to address the
others including local councils, youth services, housing causes and prevent repeat incidents.
providers, schools and further education providers, • Ensuring your ASB concerns are acted I will continue to support investment
businesses and the voluntary sector to understand the on, the police and local authorities, in in youth services and diversion
causes and intervene to change behaviour. consultation with my office, will review programmes to provide young people
and redevelop the ASB case review with life opportunities.
We saw the benefits of working together like this during process to ensure repeat incidents of
the COVID-19 pandemic, when reports of anti-social
behaviour increased. The police deployed dedicated
task forces and met weekly with each local authority to
discuss the response in that area and coordinate work I will publish regular crime and
with businesses, public transport providers, education
and voluntary sector organisations. policing data to show you –
Every three months, I will tell the public exactly how many incidents of ASB the police have
dealt with, whether this has gone up or down and what is being done to keep crime down.
24 Police and Crime Plan / 2021–2025 Your plan in action. Anti-social behaviour. 25Your plan
in action.
Reducing
crime.
At the core of my work for the public is a simple aim; I am
elected to ensure the police fight crime and keep you safe.
And whether that is alcohol-fuelled incidents in our city
centres on a night-time or theft in our rural and farming
communities, your priorities must be translated into policing
targets and outcomes.
After a decade of austerity and cuts to the force worth
£140m, the police have never been under greater pressure in
their work to reduce crime. But I am proud that Northumbria
I will ensure the force
Police have maintained our region’s reputation as one of the
safest places to live. Crime and anti-social behaviour can
continues to fight crime by:
damage and destroy lives, and the public want to see crime
reduced. • Reducing the volume of crimes • Prioritising crimes that present
committed and ensure Northumbria the greatest risk of harm to
The consequences of even a single offence can be continues to have a lower recorded vulnerable people.
devastating and widespread; going beyond the immediate crime rate compared to other
victim to impact on the lives of wider family, friends and similar forces. • Ensuring the force has the technology
communities. Myself and the Chief Constable will continue to and training needed to keep our streets
work together to reduce these crimes. • Monitoring levels of crimes being safe while maintaining a focus on
committed and ensuring the police and serious and organised criminals.
others are tackling them.
I will publish regular crime and
policing data to show you –
How many crimes are being committed in different parts of the Northumbria force area.
26 Police and Crime Plan / 2021–2025 Your plan in action. Reducing crime. 27Your plan
in action.
Preventing
violent crime.
Getting more police officers on our streets and in our
neighbourhoods is one way to tackle violent crime, but it
is only one part of the solution. We need a plan to prevent
people, particularly young people, getting into a life of violent
crime. If we offer people an alternative, alongside a targeted
focus on those already routinely turning to violence, we can
make a real difference.
I will improve this by:
That’s why I set up a Violence Reduction Unit to ensure the
police are not alone in standing up to violent crime and I am • Ensuring the Violence Reduction Unit • Lobbying government for more
committed to its long-term success. Response Strategy to reduce serious and funding to ensure the Violence
violent crime is clear and co-ordinated Reduction Unit can continue to
across the Northumbria force area. make a difference.
• Encouraging partners to improve data • Ensuring the force targets the
and intelligence sharing practices, illegal drugs trade and the crime
which will allow for more effective that follows this.
targeting of interventions and
resources for those areas most in need. • Supporting organisations seeking
to help people out of gangs and the
cycle of crime.
I will publish regular crime and policing data
to show you the result of efforts to reduce –
The number of crimes involving serious violence with a knife, and the number of
hospital admissions for knife-related serious violence.
28 Police and Crime Plan / 2021–2025 Your plan in action. Preventing violent crime. 29Your plan
in action.
Neighbourhood
policing.
Early intervention keeps crime down, and the best way to
achieve this is with trusted neighbourhood police officers
and staff. The Chief Constable and I have agreed that
neighbourhood policing is a top priority, alongside working
with other organisations such as local councils to help keep our
streets safe and intervene in anti-social behaviour.
But after ten years of government austerity and spending
cuts, maintaining a local neighbourhood police service has
I will continue to back your
not been easy. The force have had to make some difficult
decisions in order to prioritise use of officers and staff out in
neighbourhoods by:
our communities. I stand by these choices, and, for example,
when it comes to deciding between having a police station • Protecting frontline policing and giving • Engaging with communities to build
open at 3am or having officers out in your local community, I the force the resources to deter, detect relationships and to provide safety
back a visible police presence. I will also back residents looking and deal with criminals. advice, education and guidance, in
for increased CCTV in some areas, where funding allows. particular to young people, vulnerable
• Committing to investing in people and marginalised communities.
Whether it’s in a rural village or a city estate, neighbourhood and supporting neighbourhood I will ensure information is always
policing is the key to safer streets. I will ensure it is easy for policing teams. provided in a way everyone can access.
people to find out who the officers and PCSOs are in their
area. Different neighbourhoods will often have different needs
and by having a local policing team that understands the area,
we can tackle local problems at the source. The force will
continue to focus on problem-solving with our partners in our I will publish regular crime
communities.
and policing data to show –
How local residents feel about the police – including the results of regular satisfaction
surveys including public confidence data and police insights reports. If satisfaction levels
fall, I’ll ask the force to explain why and what it will do to rebuild that relationship.
30 Police and Crime Plan / 2021–2025 Your plan in action. Neighbourhood policing. 31Your plan
in action.
Support for victims.
Being a victim of crime can undermine a person’s confidence
and make them unhappy or frightened. It can affect a
person’s outlook on life, that’s why it is so important that we
put victims at the heart of policing. We absolutely have to put
victims first and make sure we are doing things right by them.
I will improve victim support by:
I plan to further enhance the delivery of victim support • Introducing a new co-ordinated and • Asking the police to effectively
services across Northumbria, by streamlining the whole streamlined approach to supporting cooperate with our communities
process, making things simpler and doing everything we victims of crime from report to court, so information about crime within
can to ensure that all victims receive the help they need. In ensuring consistent professional input neighbourhoods can be shared but
doing this, we will deliver genuine end-to-end support for all and effective communication with also to build trust and confidence for
victims, including those pursuing a route through the criminal victims. victims to report crime and be assured
justice system, resulting in an improved offer to victims and of Northumbria Police’s ability to
witnesses across the Northumbria Police area. • Investing in Victim Services to give protect them and their local values.
people a greater chance of coping with
Everyone involved in the criminal justice system wants the the impact of crime and recovering • Supporting the introduction of a
best for victims. One route to this is restorative justice. This from their experience. multi-agency victim hub, set up to
is where victims get a chance to get answers to questions support our most vulnerable and
and tell their offender how they have been affected. It also • Encouraging the police and criminal exploited victims.
gives offenders a chance to understand what they have done, justice system to develop trauma
how it affects others and a chance to make amends for their informed practice so the support
behaviour. We have evidence to show that it makes a real options made available to victims best
difference in helping victims to recover from their experience meet their needs.
of crime.
My challenge is to make high-quality restorative justice
available to all victims of crime in Northumbria by linking I will publish regular crime and
together Victims Services, offender-focused organisations
and a wide range of agencies. policing data to show you –
Protecting vulnerable victims is absolutely the number one
Every three months, I will tell the public exactly how many victims of crime have
priority for Northumbria Police and I will continue to make
been supported, how many are satisfied with their service from Northumbria
sure this focus remains clear.
Police and how we are meeting obligations in the Victims’ Code of Practice.
32 Police and Crime Plan / 2021–2025 Your plan in action. Support for victims. 33Your plan
in action.
Tackling domestic abuse I will improve this by:
and sexual violence. • Continuing to develop my Workplace around healthy relationships, and other
Domestic Abuse Champions Scheme, issues such as knife crime awareness.
so more than ever, workplaces can
Violence and abuse can blight communities and lead to recognise abuse and offer support to • Continuing to build on the work of the
devastating consequences. It has a traumatic and long-lasting their staff, building on the important Violence Against Women and Girls
impact on victims, families and wider communities. Domestic role that friends, families and strategy to bring together our vision,
abuse is one of the biggest contributors to violent crime communities can play in connecting ambition and actions to tackle violence
locally and nationally and PCCs have a hugely important loved ones to the right help and against women and girls in one place,
lead role in tackling this. support as early as possible. strengthening our work to change
attitudes, improve prevention and
Domestic abuse and sexual violence can affect anybody – • Working with partners to focus on where possible rehabilitate offenders.
regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality or disability. perpetrators of abuse, providing
I will make it my business to encourage people to come behaviour change and stabilisation • Introducing focussed and regular
forward and report it, support them through their experience work to the highest harm/high risk challenge sessions with the Chief
when they do, and oversee Northumbria Police’s role in domestic abuse perpetrators. By its Constable and his team where we
bringing those responsible to justice. very nature, this will result in improved explore together what has been
safety and feelings of safety for achieved and what more needs to
Children must not be the forgotten victims of abuse and the survivors and their children. be done to best support victims and
right support is crucial and must be there at an early stage to improve criminal justice outcomes.
help avoid trauma in later life. • Enhancing the role of the VRUs
Education Team who have a key role
to work with schools and communities
I will publish regular crime and
policing data to show you –
Every three months, I will tell the public exactly how many victims have reported these
crimes, how many of these are repeat incidents and how many victims are satisfied with
their service from Northumbria Police. I will also focus on criminal justice outcomes and
will tell you how we are performing as a criminal justice system to bring crimes to justice.
34 Police and Crime Plan / 2021–2025 Your plan in action. Tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence. 35How funding is allocated
to policing services:
Resources. Roads
Investigative
support
2.3%
Operational policing
support 5% 2.3% Police and Crime
Our police need the right resources to For Northumbria, 82% of total funding Commissioner
deliver on your priorities and keep you and comes from central government, the 0.5%
your community safe. I will do all I can to highest proportion of all forces in England
make sure Northumbria Police have the and Wales. The remaining balance is raised
resources they need and are efficient and locally through the precept. Criminal justice
cost-effective in the service they provide. arrangements
The current financial climate remains a
6%
Northumbria Police receive two main difficult one. The last 12 months have
sources of funding; grant income from reinforced just how important our police
central government and the part of council force is and we continue to need resources
tax which is allocated to the police called to deal with the ongoing pressures
the ‘police precept’. presented by the Coronavirus pandemic.
The last decade saw unprecedented cuts
Additional funding is sometimes made to the government’s policing grant and
available by the government to help Northumbria was the hardest hit of any
encourage new ways of working. We are force in England and Wales, with the
always eager to explore innovation to expectation that the shortfall would be Intelligence
deliver better services and to save public met through the local precept. 6.8%
money, and for this reason we are keen to
bid for some of these extra resources. We Local precept income is therefore essential
have been very successful. to grow our force back and keep serving
the public to a high standard.
The Office of the Police and Crime Local policing 48.1%
Commissioner has been successful in Part of my role as Police and Crime
securing Innovation and Transformation Commissioner is to set the annual police Dealing with the public
Grants in excess of £11m over the last four budget and determine the level of precept 9.3%
years. These awards have been used to required for our force area.
focus on a number of key areas, ranging
from early youth intervention to preventing My Medium Term Financial Strategy
serial perpetrators offending, reflecting our describes the financial direction of my
ongoing commitment to fighting crime, office and the force over a four-year Public protection
preventing crime and improving lives. period. The strategy demonstrates an 9.3%
affordable position, balancing costs
with available resources and provides an
overarching framework for police budgets Investigations
over the medium-term. I will make sure 10.4%
your money is spent as effectively as
possible.
36 Police and Crime Plan / 2021–2025 Resources. 37You can also read
