Programme of activity continues to tackle serious violence across Northumbria area
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.
This activity forms part of the collective response to addressing the causes and impact of violent crime across the Northumbria Police force area, bringing together the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit and partners to work collaboratively under the Serious Violence Duty.
In recent months, officers have delivered an additional 778 hours of uniformed patrols through Project Guardian – using intelligence and crime data to focus activity in areas where it can have the greatest impact.
The Violence Reduction Unit’s dedicated education team have reached more than 1,300 young people with knife crime awareness inputs, while a further 117 have been supported by Student Champions with targeted interventions covering knife crime, exploitation and drug-related harm.
The focus deterrence model continues to identify those responsible for serious youth violence in communities, with 36 young people now receiving tailored intervention and support to address their needs.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth said: “This is just some of the activity underway to tackle serious violence and I’m pleased with the progress we’re making.
“Enforcement is vital, but so is prevention. That’s why through Northumbria Police, our Violence Reduction Unit and partners, we’re targeting those responsible for violence, removing dangerous weapons from our streets, intervening with those showing signs of vulnerability and reaching young people early to increase their awareness and prevent them being drawn into crime.”