Police force wide summer safety initiative launched in Gateshead town centre
Gateshead is one of several areas getting enhanced by Northumbria Police and partner action this summer, as the force rolls out the Government's national 'Safer Streets' campaign.
Since its launch a year ago, Project Shield has delivered impressive improvements in its focus areas. It is hoped this summer's continued efforts will help drive crime down further.
When joining patrols in Gateshead town centre, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth welcomed the Home Office's campaign.
She said: "The primary goal of the Safer Streets Summer Initiative, with its focus on town centres is to drive down crime and disorder through increased visibility and robust action. It's a real opportunity for Northumbria to build on the good work already being delivered, like Project Shield.
"During the summer months when it's warmer and the nights are lighter, we know more people are out and about in our town centres and this always leads to higher levels of both daytime and nighttime ASB and crime. And so, we have been coming together planning a range of activity, working closely with partners like Gateshead Council and the other local authorities to try and get ahead of any problems. We all hope it will help prevent or deter crime, whilst also improving overall feelings of safety.
"People's concerns look different in different areas; that's why a lot of our efforts are around problem solving - responding to the specific needs of our local communities. For our coastal towns it might be preventing large groups congregating at the seafront causing ASB, or for our retail centres it might be working with partners to focus on identifying prolific and repeat offenders.
"We really want to deal with the issues that cause the most concern for local people so we can take action and deliver safer streets and stronger communities."
Ahead of the summer holidays, some local schools have been receiving tailored inputs and campaigns aimed at children and teenagers, focusing on reporting crime, personal safety and ASB. An example of this enhanced collaboration with educational providers has been dedicated neighbourhood officers at Gateshead College and across secondary schools talking to young people with a focus on ASB and knife crime. This includes signposting for those interested in summer activities and volunteering opportunities.
The town centre manager and ambassadors, employed by Gateshead Council also continue to improve visibility and engagement with residents and businesses, focusing on quality of life issues, early intervention and improving the environment.
Councillor Angela Douglas, Chair of the Gateshead Community Safety Board, said:"Project Shield has established a stronghold for a successful Safer Streets Summer Initiative campaign force wide, showcasing how partnership working and community engagement can have an incredible impact on the issues that matter most to residents.
"Here in Gateshead, we're continuing to make strides in bringing together neighbourhood policing teams, local businesses and our wider communities to not only tackle ASB and serious crime, but to prevent it.
"By investing in tools like our new WalkSafe app, which can be used to quickly contact our town centre Ambassadors, report anti-social behaviour and identify safe spaces nearby, we're making the most of the project funding to address safety concerns in our priority area.
"We'll be continuing to develop this work over the summer, amplifying the Home Office initiative to deliver safer streets and stronger communities."
Other key operations running as part of the Summer Streets Initiative include Operation Capio which tackles motorbike disorder, Operation Impact which is all-visibility days of action and Operation Coastwatch which focuses on pockets of ASB at the coast.
Superintendent Scott Cowie, Northumbria Police's Serious Violence lead, said: "Tackling serious crime and anti-social behaviour remains one of our Force priorities and it is something we are absolutely committed to. We appreciate that the lighter evenings and summer months see an increase in ASB incidents, but let us be clear that everyone should feel safe and secure when out and about in our city and town centre locations.
"Alongside our partners, through Project Shield we use a range of tactics at our disposal to reduce crime by identifying offenders, seizing weapons and making arrests where necessary. We also carry out engagement activity to deter any of our young people who may be becoming involved in criminality.
"The public tell us that our extensive work in this area is having a tangible and positive impact on their lives and thanks to the £1.8million of renewed funding for 2025/26, we're doing everything we can to continue the progress made.
"My message to those in our communities is that if there are issues with serious violence and anti-social behaviour in your area then please don't stay silent. Get in touch with us via our various channels so that we can build on our ever-growing intelligence picture and take the appropriate action."
Gateshead is one of several areas getting enhanced by Northumbria Police and partner action this summer, as the force rolls out the Government's national 'Safer Streets' campaign.
Since its launch a year ago, Project Shield has delivered impressive improvements in its focus areas. It is hoped this summer's continued efforts will help drive crime down further.
When joining patrols in Gateshead town centre, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth welcomed the Home Office's campaign.
She said: "The primary goal of the Safer Streets Summer Initiative, with its focus on town centres is to drive down crime and disorder through increased visibility and robust action. It's a real opportunity for Northumbria to build on the good work already being delivered, like Project Shield.
"During the summer months when it's warmer and the nights are lighter, we know more people are out and about in our town centres and this always leads to higher levels of both daytime and nighttime ASB and crime. And so, we have been coming together planning a range of activity, working closely with partners like Gateshead Council and the other local authorities to try and get ahead of any problems. We all hope it will help prevent or deter crime, whilst also improving overall feelings of safety.
"People's concerns look different in different areas; that's why a lot of our efforts are around problem solving - responding to the specific needs of our local communities. For our coastal towns it might be preventing large groups congregating at the seafront causing ASB, or for our retail centres it might be working with partners to focus on identifying prolific and repeat offenders.
"We really want to deal with the issues that cause the most concern for local people so we can take action and deliver safer streets and stronger communities."
Ahead of the summer holidays, some local schools have been receiving tailored inputs and campaigns aimed at children and teenagers, focusing on reporting crime, personal safety and ASB. An example of this enhanced collaboration with educational providers has been dedicated neighbourhood officers at Gateshead College and across secondary schools talking to young people with a focus on ASB and knife crime. This includes signposting for those interested in summer activities and volunteering opportunities.
The town centre manager and ambassadors, employed by Gateshead Council also continue to improve visibility and engagement with residents and businesses, focusing on quality of life issues, early intervention and improving the environment.
Councillor Angela Douglas, Chair of the Gateshead Community Safety Board, said:"Project Shield has established a stronghold for a successful Safer Streets Summer Initiative campaign force wide, showcasing how partnership working and community engagement can have an incredible impact on the issues that matter most to residents.
"Here in Gateshead, we're continuing to make strides in bringing together neighbourhood policing teams, local businesses and our wider communities to not only tackle ASB and serious crime, but to prevent it.
"By investing in tools like our new WalkSafe app, which can be used to quickly contact our town centre Ambassadors, report anti-social behaviour and identify safe spaces nearby, we're making the most of the project funding to address safety concerns in our priority area.
"We'll be continuing to develop this work over the summer, amplifying the Home Office initiative to deliver safer streets and stronger communities."
Other key operations running as part of the Summer Streets Initiative include Operation Capio which tackles motorbike disorder, Operation Impact which is all-visibility days of action and Operation Coastwatch which focuses on pockets of ASB at the coast.
Superintendent Scott Cowie, Northumbria Police's Serious Violence lead, said: "Tackling serious crime and anti-social behaviour remains one of our Force priorities and it is something we are absolutely committed to. We appreciate that the lighter evenings and summer months see an increase in ASB incidents, but let us be clear that everyone should feel safe and secure when out and about in our city and town centre locations.
"Alongside our partners, through Project Shield we use a range of tactics at our disposal to reduce crime by identifying offenders, seizing weapons and making arrests where necessary. We also carry out engagement activity to deter any of our young people who may be becoming involved in criminality.
"The public tell us that our extensive work in this area is having a tangible and positive impact on their lives and thanks to the £1.8million of renewed funding for 2025/26, we're doing everything we can to continue the progress made.
"My message to those in our communities is that if there are issues with serious violence and anti-social behaviour in your area then please don't stay silent. Get in touch with us via our various channels so that we can build on our ever-growing intelligence picture and take the appropriate action."
