Cramlington Town Council clash with Police and Crime Commissioner over anti-social behaviour

The town council has been in a dispute with PCC Susan Dungworth for several months over issues around police cover and anti-social behaviour.

The local authority has invited Mrs Dungworth to attend meetings to discuss concerns, but the commissioner is yet to do so. Issues stem from the end of funding for Project Shield in Cramlington following significant reductions in the number of incidents.

The commissioner initially wrote to the council in April to address concerns that had been raised with her office. She said Blyth and Ashington had been recommended as key ASB hotspots for Northumberland instead of Cramlington.

Furthermore, she said she does not meet with town and parish councils due to the large number that fall within the Northumbria Police force area. Cramlington Town Council has now published its response in full.

An open letter to the commissioner included the following: “It was noted in your response regarding Project Shield that it was identified that Blyth and Ashington were the highest priority locations. However, I would ask you to clarify whether the removal of Cramlington’s hotspot designation was in any way influenced by the inability of Cramlington Town Council to contribute financially to Project Shield.

“Project Shield was, by your own figures, a significant success – a 32% reduction in serious violence and 52% reduction in ASB in Cramlington. It is therefore difficult to understand why funding has ceased entirely rather than being maintained in successful areas.

“We wish to be clear that we fully support the work of our local Neighbourhood Policing Team, and we recognise the efforts they make. However, our concern remains that they are under-resourced for the demands placed upon them, and we would strongly advocate for the introduction of a second policing team to provide the level of support our community requires.”

Government funding for the project ended this year, but the commissioner drew on other funding to allow the initiative to continue in a “restructured” way. However, Cramlington was no longer seen as a hot spot.

Mrs Dungworth’s initial letter included the following: “Cramlington town centre was identified as an ASB hotspot November 2023 to April 2025 due to local data and insights. Through Project Shield, data-led methodology is aligned with targeted patrols to make streets safer and communities stronger.

“For 2025/26, the Home Office issued more specific criteria for determining hotspot locations, which identified Blyth and Ashington as the highest priority locations when applying the new criteria. When the county council was consulted, they recommended the same areas.

“However, additional patrols continue to be deployed to the whole of Cramlington, where appropriate, through the Project Shield transport element. Further policing resources can be targeted to Cramlington, if deemed operationally necessary.

“It is true that I have been invited to attend Cramlington Town Council and that I have politely declined the invitation. There are 162 town and parish councils in Northumberland alone and I am sure that you appreciate that it would be impossible to attend all council meetings across the six local authorities that I represent.”

Responding to the latest letter, a spokesperson for the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner said:“The PCC has yet to receive any letter in response to the detailed update she provided to Cramlington Town Council back in April addressing all concerns raised.

“Yesterday she met with the council leader to discuss policing matters across the whole of Northumberland and will continue engaging with local residents and partners supporting work to deliver safer streets and stronger communities.”