Northumbria's Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth has updated her Police and Crime Plan, introducing three flagship programmes, one of which focuses on helping women break the cycle of reoffending. The refresh follows thousands of conversations held over the summer through the Commissioner's Community Catch up Consultation, involving residents, community groups and partners.
The updated plan sets out a vision for policing, crime prevention and victim support across Northumbria, with the new programmes targeting areas where long-term action is needed most.
New flagship programmes
The three flagship programmes are Hate Crime, Improving Women's Safety in Public Places, and Supporting Women Away from Custody. The Hate Crime programme aims to increase confidence in reporting, improve support for victims and bring communities together in the face of division and intolerance, with the goal of building safer, more resilient communities.
The Improving Women's Safety in Public Places programme responds to feedback from women and girls who have consistently said they do not always feel safe in public spaces. It will bring together policing, local authorities, transport providers and community organisations to improve safety, challenge harmful behaviours and prevent violence against women and girls before it happens.
Supporting women away from custody
The Supporting Women Away from Custody programme will focus on preventing further offending, reducing the use of custody and helping women access the support they need to turn their lives around. It recognises that many women in the criminal justice system have experienced trauma, abuse and significant disadvantage.
The plan also enhances areas within the original six priorities, reflecting what people have said matters most. These include an engaged and responsive police force, covering neighbourhood policing, victim contact and officer wellbeing; crime and anti-social behaviour, including tackling electric motor bikes and scooters, safety on public transport, and adults taking or dealing drugs and drinking in public places; and serious violence and organised crime, working with partners to tackle illicit trade on high streets.
Priorities and accountability
Further priorities cover violence against women and girls, including online crimes and behavioural change programmes; hate crime and community cohesion, supporting communities at times of heightened national tensions; and victims and justice, working with perpetrators, reducing reoffending and diverting from custody.
Susan Dungworth said: "My ambition for local people remains simple: safer streets, stronger communities – this means we have fewer victims and that more offenders are brought to justice and guided away from further offending."
She added: "This refreshed Plan has been shaped by the people of Northumbria - it's been a busy summer, with lots of conversations, meetings and roundtable events. While residents have told me we are focused on the right priorities, they have also been clear that there is more to do to keep communities safe and tackle the issues that matter most to them."
Dungworth also stated: "We have made real progress, but we can't stand still. I want to use the time ahead to drive meaningful change, challenge organisations to deliver and ensure we leave a positive and lasting legacy for our communities."
She concluded: "These flagship programmes are where I want to make a distinctive and lasting difference. They are about bringing partners together, tackling the root causes of harm and focusing on prevention, not just enforcement. Just as importantly, this Plan is about accountability. I will continue to hold Northumbria Police to account for delivering against the commitments in this Plan, because the people of Northumbria deserve to see real results. Everything in this Plan is driven by one goal: creating safer streets and stronger communities, now and for everyone growing up here in Northumbria."
