Big Community Conversation questions and answers - Northumbria Police

NTSP Big Community Conversation Questions and Answers

Please see a list of the questions you can find below. Please scroll down to find the answers to each question.

1. What is being done to tackle anti-social behaviour, especially involving youths, bikes, scooters, and public spaces?

2. Why is police visibility so low in local communities, and when will we see more officers on foot patrol?

3. How are the police addressing the growing use of illegal motorbikes, e-scooters, and quads on pavements and in parks?

4. What is being done about the rise in drug-related activity, including cannabis farms and street-level dealing?

5. Can we have more local police stations reopened, and more PCSOs or dedicated community officers reinstated?

6. What are the plans for increasing safety and police presence on the Metro and around transport hubs like Northumberland Park?

7. How are you supporting vulnerable groups – such as elderly residents, women, and the homeless – to feel safe in public?

8. What is being done about recurring crime such as shoplifting, vandalism, and low-level disorder that goes unpunished?

9. Can the police do more to address noise issues from sirens, loud vehicles, racing, and fireworks in residential areas?

10. What role does the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office play, and what value does it add locally?

11. What technology or innovations are being used to improve community safety?

12. How do police prioritise calls and manage workload, especially for non-urgent crimes?

13. How are young people being educated or supported around crime prevention, especially in schools (e.g., vaping, gangs)?

14. Why are laws around cycling on footpaths, e-scooter use, or begging not enforced consistently?

15.How is recruitment being supported – and how can people join the police or specialised teams like SWAT?

16. What is being done to ensure crimes are taken seriously regardless of the age, race, or background of the suspect?

17. How do the police plan to tackle misinformation online and rebuild public trust?

1. What is being done to tackle anti-social behaviour, especially involving youths, bikes, scooters, and public spaces?

North Tyneside Area Command has several multi-agency operations in place to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) in which we work closely with our partners to combat ASB in locations within the borough and take action against those who cause ASB which damages our community.

Operation Respect sees us work with our Local Authority partners to conduct joint visits to young people and their families who are involved in causing ASB to educate and deter them from continuing.

Operations Early Bird and Coastwatch are specifically targeted at our coastal areas and public spaces to deter, prevent and combat ASB, keeping North Tyneside a great place to live, work and visit.

Operation Apollo is our multi-agency operation in place to tackle the anti-social usage of motorcycles, E-Scooters, and E-bikes.

2. Why is police visibility so low in local communities, and when will we see more officers on foot patrol?

Our officers are in the community, and we have local officers based within North Shields, Whitley Bay, Wallsend and Killingworth. We have recently developed a local outreach office within the North Shields Transport Hub with the support of the Local Authority, and our front office has been open in Whitley Bay since 2024. Officers regularly patrol on foot in the Wallsend, Whitley Bay and North Shields areas at key times and are highly visible during our policing operations such as Operation Coastwatch.

3. How are the police addressing the growing use of illegal motorbikes, e-scooters, and quads on pavements and in parks?

We recognise the impact that the use of illegal motorcycles, E-Scooters and quad bikes can have on an area and in our community.

We have Operation Apollo in place in North Tyneside where we undertake concerted activity to patrol the areas, identify those involved and act where possible. Reports of motorcycle-related ASB are taken seriously by our Neighbourhood Teams and to gather community intelligence we communicate with members of the public who report such matters.

Officers aim to identify victims and gather information or intelligence for the purpose of identification and pursuing of offenders. This is carried out with a view to protecting victims from harm created by offenders and to deliver a high quality of service through investigation, engagement and achieving positive outcomes for the public.

Officers target offenders with the intention of gaining a prosecution and implementing measures to disrupt and prevent re-offending by consideration of legal powers, diversionary interventions and use of Civil Orders.

Officers identify repeat offenders and investigate offences to achieve a positive outcome. This also includes considering alternative outcomes alongside the Criminal Justice System which include Criminal Behaviour Orders and Partnership Collaboration on Tenancy Enforcement.

We aim to offer reassurance to members of the community through positive action against perpetrators of motorcycle ASB and publicising any positive outcomes in local media and on our own social media channels.

4. What is being done about the rise in drug-related activity, including cannabis farms and street-level dealing?

We would encourage members of the community to share any information regarding suspected drug-related activity with their local officers or via the “Tell Us About” function on our website. Something you've seen or heard | Northumbria Police

Members of the public can also send us a direct message on social media or use the live chat or report forms which are both on our website. For those unable to make contact via those ways, please call 101.

We act on community information and intelligence by executing warrants to search addresses and have discovered numerous cannabis farms over the last year. Whilst it is not always possible to reply to every member of the public who reports confidential information, we do publicise our results in the media to demonstrate what we are doing about the issues that matter to our community.

5. Can we have more local police stations reopened, and more PCSOs or dedicated community officers reinstated?

Happily, I can report that in the last year we have seen Whitley Bay front office open to the public again at certain times and on certain days. We also have the outreach office in the North Shields Transport Hub which offers a vital presence within the North Shields Town centre.

We have received an increase in our staffing numbers for Police Community Support Officers in our policing family in North Tyneside because of a recent uplift and recruitment campaign which will greatly assist in our visible presence across the borough. Our Neighbourhood Policing Teams are staffed to the allocated numbers with no current vacancies, with dedicated community officers in place. Those officers’ details can be found at the following link: North Tyneside | Northumbria Police

6. What are the plans for increasing safety and police presence on the Metro and around transport hubs like Northumberland Park?

We have identified the Metro network and transport hubs as key locations within our community. We have a specific multi-agency operation under the Safer Transport Plan to address crime and ASB across the Metro and transport hubs. This operation runs all year round and is supported by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, operator Nexus and Northumbria Police, including our specialist Metro Unit. Our local Neighbourhood Policing Teams regularly incorporate Metro stations and transport hubs into their patrol activity both in uniform and plain clothes patrols.

7. How are you supporting vulnerable groups – such as elderly residents, women, and the homeless – to feel safe in public?

Northumbria Police is actively supporting vulnerable groups — including elderly residents, women, and the homeless — through a range of targeted strategies and partnerships aimed at improving public safety and community confidence.

Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)

Northumbria Police has a comprehensive strategy to tackle VAWG, which includes:

Relentless pursuit of perpetrators and prioritising victim safety.
Operation Soteria to improve investigations into rape and serious sexual offences.
Operation Ebrius and Operation Franklin to enhance safety in nightlife settings and address spiking incidents.
Dedicated domestic abuse advisors in control rooms and multi-agency support hubs to provide immediate and tailored support.
Training frontline officers to better identify and respond to stalking and harassment

Support for the Homeless and Vulnerable in Urban Areas

North Tyneside Area Command is seeking to develop a multi-agency initiative which:

Combines police enforcement with support services like drug and alcohol specialists.
Increases visibility through uniformed and plain-clothes patrols.
Targets repeat offenders while offering intervention and support for those facing homelessness or addiction.
Enhances safety in transport hubs and nightlife areas

Community Engagement and Inclusion

Northumbria Police’s Engagement Strategy focuses on:

Tailored engagement with diverse communities to identify vulnerabilities.
Collaborative problem-solving with local groups and stakeholders.
Inclusive recruitment and training to reflect community diversity.
Transparent communication and data sharing to build trust and legitimacy

8. What is being done about recurring crime such as shoplifting, vandalism, and low-level disorder that goes unpunished?

North Tyneside Area Command has implemented Operation Paradise which is directed at targeting prolific thieves who steal from retail premises. These individuals are targeted because of their offending patterns and receive increased police attention. We utilise all powers at our disposal, including the use of Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs), to curtail their offending. We also work closely with retailers and the business community to make it more difficult for their shops to be targeted and their staff impacted by these offenders. We have achieved a number of custodial sentences for repeat offenders through the operation and our Neighbourhood Policing Teams focus on shop theft as a priority.

Rates of criminal damage in the borough have reduced in the last 12 months by 14 per cent and remain low. We also work with the Local Authority to remove graffiti as soon as possible. Our approach to low-level disorder is captured within previous questions referencing ASB.

9. Can the police do more to address noise issues from sirens, loud vehicles, racing, and fireworks in residential areas?

Noise complaint issues are predominantly a Local Authority-led response however Northumbria Police can help to address noise issues from sirens, loud vehicles, street racing, and fireworks in residential areas through a combination of enforcement, community engagement, and partnership working. Here's how we are currently tackling these concerns:

Targeting Vehicle-Related Nuisance

Northumbria Police recognises that anti-social vehicle use—including street racing, cruising, and stunt driving—is more than just a noise issue; it poses safety risks and disrupts communities

Our approach includes:

Enforcement against illegal street racing and cruising, especially when vehicles block roads or drive dangerously.
Seizing unlicensed vehicles such as mini-motos, trail bikes, and illegal e-scooters.
Monitoring hotspots for off-road misuse and stunt driving, which often occurs in car parks or public spaces.
Working with local authorities to restrict access to problem areas and install deterrents like barriers or CCTV.
Utilising our specialist Road Policing Units – Op Dragoon to address the above issues.

Responding to Fireworks and Siren Noise

While sirens are essential for emergency response, Northumbria Police aims to:

Minimise unnecessary siren use in residential areas during night hours when safe to do so.
Respond to fireworks complaints, especially when linked to antisocial behaviour or public safety risks. These are often handled in partnership with the Local Authority and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.

Noise Complaint Procedures

Residents can report noise disturbances to the Local Authority:

Local council environmental health teams, especially for recurring or non-criminal noise issues.
Northumbria Police conduct joint patrols and interventions during peak times (e.g., weekends, holidays) to address community concerns.

Community Engagement and Prevention

The Police and Crime Plan (2025–2029) prioritises:

Tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) as a key concern for residents
Listening to community feedback through surveys and consultations.
Funding local initiatives that promote safer streets and reduce nuisance behaviours.

10. What role does the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office play, and what value does it add locally?

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for Northumbria plays a pivotal role in shaping local policing, enhancing public safety, and ensuring accountability. Here's how it adds value locally:

Core Responsibilities of the Northumbria PCC

Public Representation

The PCC is elected to be the voice of the public in policing matters, ensuring that community concerns and priorities are reflected in policing strategies

Strategic Oversight

The PCC sets the strategic direction for Northumbria Police through the Police and Crime Plan, which outlines priorities such as tackling serious violence, supporting victims, and improving community cohesion.

Holding the Force to Account

The PCC monitors police performance, scrutinises decisions, and ensures resources are used effectively. This includes attending the Police and Crime Panel, publishing performance data, and reviewing inspection findings.

Funding and Commissioning

The PCC allocates funding to support crime prevention and victim services. This includes grants to local voluntary and community groups and commissioning services for victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, and other crimes.

Partnership Building

The PCC works with local authorities, health services, and community safety partnerships to deliver joined-up approaches to crime reduction and victim support.

Innovation and Community Initiatives

The office has led initiatives like:

Safe Haven vans for vulnerable individuals on nights out.
Pol-Ed education programmes reaching more than 250,000 students.
Street triage teams combining police and mental health professionals

Local Impact and Value

Victim-Centric Approach: Through services like Victims First Northumbria, the PCC ensures tailored support for those affected by crime.
Community Confidence: Initiatives such as LGBT Liaison Officers and hate crime awareness campaigns foster inclusivity and trust.
Crime Prevention: The PCC promotes early intervention and education to prevent crime, especially among young people.
Transparency and Engagement: Regular consultations, newsletters, and public meetings ensure residents are informed and involved.

11. What technology or innovations are being used to improve community safety?

Northumbria Police is embracing a range of technologies and innovations to enhance community safety, improve operational efficiency, and build public trust. Here are some of the most notable developments:

Drone Technology

Northumbria Police is deploying drones to act as “eyes in the sky” for crime prevention and public safety.

These drones:

Enhance surveillance in hard-to-reach areas.
Support search and rescue operations.
Provide real-time intelligence during incidents.

This technology boosts situational awareness and helps officers respond more effectively.

Project Shield

Launched in 2024, Project Shield is a multi-agency initiative targeting crime and anti-social behaviour in hotspot areas.

It includes:

Increased patrols and community engagement.
Use of analysts and intelligence officers to identify crime trends.
Seasonal planning to address spikes in violence and ASB.
Collaboration with youth services and the Violence Reduction Unit.

This project is funded by the PCC’s office and aims to build trust and reduce harm in communities. In North Tyneside we deploy Project Shield patrols into North Shields and Wallsend town centres.

Virtual Reality for Training

Northumbria Police has been praised for using virtual reality (VR) to train officers and simulate crime scenes.

This immersive technology:

Enhances investigative skills.
Improves decision-making under pressure.
Provides realistic scenarios for learning.

Independent Data Ethics Advisory

To ensure responsible use of technology, Northumbria Police works with an independent data ethics advisory committee.

This group:

Guides ethical deployment of AI tools.
Ensures human rights are central to tech initiatives.
Builds public confidence in digital policing methods.

12. How do police prioritise calls and manage workload, especially for non-urgent crimes?

Northumbria Police uses a combination of technology, triage systems, and strategic planning to prioritise calls and manage workload—especially for non-urgent crimes. Here's how we do it:

Threat, Risk, and Harm-Based Prioritisation

Calls to Northumbria Police are assessed using a Threat, Risk, and Harm (TRH) model. This ensures that:

Urgent incidents involving immediate danger to life or property are prioritised.
Non-urgent crimes are triaged and resolved at the earliest point of contact when possible.
Resources are allocated efficiently to match the severity and urgency of each case.

Live Video Call Service for Non-Emergency Crimes

To improve responsiveness and reduce pressure on frontline officers, Northumbria Police offers a live video call service for victims of non-emergency crimes.

This innovation:

Allows victims to speak directly with an officer via video.
Enables real-time sharing of evidence (e.g., images, documents).
Reduces the need for in-person visits, freeing up officer time.
Has received a 95 per cent satisfaction rate from users.

This service is victim-led, meaning individuals can choose between video or in-person contact depending on their comfort and needs.

Early Resolution and Problem-Solving

The Force aims to resolve calls at the earliest point of contact, especially for lower-risk incidents.

This includes:

Providing advice or referrals during the initial call.
Using digital tools to gather evidence and statements remotely.
Engaging with community partners to address recurring issues like anti-social behaviour.

Strategic Workforce Planning

Northumbria Police’s 2025 Strategy outlines efforts to:

Enhance investigative capacity and capability.
Improve officer wellbeing and efficiency.
Strengthen partnerships to share workload and improve outcomes

13. How are young people being educated or supported around crime prevention, especially in schools (e.g., vaping, gangs)?

Northumbria Police is deeply committed to educating and supporting young people around crime prevention, particularly in schools. Their approach combines immersive learning, early intervention, and multi-agency collaboration. Here are the key initiatives:

Pol-Ed Programme

Pol-Ed is a flagship educational initiative delivered in over 200 schools across Northumbria including in North Tyneside.

It provides:

Age-appropriate lessons on healthy relationships, staying safe, and understanding the law.
Topics include vaping, bullying, criminal exploitation, sexual offences, grooming, and anti-social behaviour.
Resources aligned with Department for Education statutory guidance, Personal, Social, Health and Economic Association frameworks, and Ofsted lines of enquiry.
Support for teachers through Continuing Personal Development sessions and expert-crafted materials.

The programme aims to prevent young people from becoming victims or perpetrators of crime by fostering resilience, awareness, and responsible citizenship.

Youth Trainee Detectives Programme

This immersive initiative targets vulnerable youth aged 11–14 and uses virtual reality (VR) to simulate real-life crime investigations

Key features include:

Recreating a real murder case to explore the consequences of knife crime and gang involvement.
Participants take on detective roles, analyse evidence, and attend mock court sessions.
Includes medical training on how to stop catastrophic bleeding and sessions with victims’ families to understand the ripple effects of violence.
Designed with trauma-informed practices and psychological oversight to ensure safety and impact.

This programme is a collaboration between Northumbria Police, Education Partnership North East, and other partners.

Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) Education Team

The VRU Education Team delivers interactive sessions in schools and youth groups, focusing on:

Knife crime, malicious communications, and child criminal exploitation.
A public health approach to violence prevention—treating crime like a disease by identifying symptoms, causes, and interventions

The VRU also commissions projects and funding opportunities to support youth engagement and community safety.

14. Why are laws around cycling on footpaths, e-scooter use, or begging not enforced consistently?

In North Tyneside, inconsistent enforcement of laws around cycling on footpaths, e-scooter use, and begging often stems from a mix of policy ambiguity, resource constraints, and community tensions. Some of the factors involved are:

Policy Ambiguity and Infrastructure Gaps

Cycling on footpaths is technically illegal unless the path is designated as shared use. However, many young cyclists resort to footpaths due to lack of safe cycle lanes, especially around schools like John Spence High.
Plans for new cycle infrastructure—such as the Preston Road cycle path—have not been approved due to local opposition, often from residents concerned about parking and traffic flow. This leaves cyclists with few safe alternatives, making enforcement of footpath cycling both impractical and unpopular.

Resource Allocation and Policing Priorities

Northumbria Police and North Tyneside Council often focus enforcement efforts on high-harm or high-visibility issues, such as violent crime or anti-social behaviour.
E-scooter use and begging, while regulated, may be deprioritised unless they pose a direct safety risk or are linked to broader criminal activity.

Public Health and Compassionate Approaches

In cases like begging, enforcement is often balanced with supportive interventions. The Local Authority and police can work with outreach teams to offer help rather than issue fines or move people on.
This approach aligns with broader strategies to reduce harm and promote community cohesion.

15.How is recruitment being supported – and how can people join the police or specialised teams like SWAT?

There are numerous and varied methods to join Northumbria Police, such as becoming regular response officers, detectives, neighbourhood police officers, Special Constables, police staff roles and volunteering opportunities. We are a large employer and encourage people who are interested to explore the opportunities available.

To become a specialist team member on our Firearms Support Unit (FSU) you would first become a regular officer and gain vital policing experience in a regular role, then develop to a firearms officer by applying internally and demonstrating you have the skills and abilities to fulfil the role, including high levels of fitness and professionalism.

Once within the FSU there exist opportunities to perform various specialised roles, including the Specialist Firearms Officer role, who are trained to a higher level and are the UK equivalent of SWAT.

In April 2025, we announced that we are looking to recruit an additional 95 police officers, 27 PCSOs and 30 Specials over the next year to increase our community policing presence.

Northumbria Police is currently the first, and only, Force in the country to offer a direct entry route into Neighbourhood Policing Teams, enabling new officers and staff to make a real difference in their local communities and tackle the issues that matter most.

Anyone interested in finding out more about careers with our Force should visit the following section of our website:

Careers - Northumbria Police

16. What is being done to ensure crimes are taken seriously regardless of the age, race, or background of the suspect?

Northumbria Police is actively working to ensure that crimes are taken seriously regardless of the age, race, or background of the suspect through a combination of strategic policies, oversight mechanisms, and cultural transformation efforts. Here's how we are addressing this:

Race Action Plan

Northumbria Police has implemented a comprehensive Race Action Plan to build trust with Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities and eliminate racial disparities in policing.

Key actions include:

Independent Scrutiny & Oversight Board (ISOB) to monitor disproportionality in Stop and Search and Use of Force.
Data dashboards to identify and address disparities in policing outcomes.
Training for over 1,000 officers on fair and lawful Stop and Search practices.
Community engagement with faith and cultural groups to improve understanding and reduce bias.

Diversity, Equality & Inclusion (DEI) Strategy

Northumbria Police’s DEI strategy embeds equality into all aspects of policing.

It includes:

Annual Equality Monitoring Reports to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
Commitment to eliminating discrimination across all protected characteristics, including age, race, gender identity, and disability.
Collaborative partnerships with local communities and internal staff networks to promote inclusive practices.

Police and Crime Plan (2025–2029)

The Police and Crime Plan prioritises:

Hate crime and community cohesion: ensuring all communities feel protected and respected.
Victims and justice: improving access to support and ensuring fair treatment regardless of background.
Engaged and responsive policing: focusing on transparency, accountability, and community trust.

The plan also commits to holding the Chief Constable to account for performance and fairness, with regular public reporting and scrutiny.

Inclusive Recruitment and Representation

Efforts to diversify the workforce include:

Targeted recruitment campaigns for underrepresented groups.
Mentorship programmes for ethnic minority staff.
Positive Action teams to support applicants from diverse backgrounds

These initiatives reflect a strong institutional commitment to fairness, transparency, and accountability in how crimes are investigated, and suspects are treated.

17. How do the police plan to tackle misinformation online and rebuild public trust?

Northumbria Police takes a multi-pronged approach to tackling online misinformation and rebuilding public trust, combining strategic leadership, community engagement, and digital resilience.

Standing Against Online Hate and Misinformation. As a Force, we routinely address online misinformation and actively work to educate the public when this occurs.

Cybercrime Prevention and Public Education

Northumbria Police is actively working to educate the public about online threats and misinformation through:

Cybercrime awareness campaigns, especially around scams and cryptocurrency fraud.
Advice from financial investigators urging residents to report suspicious activity and avoid falling for professional-looking scams.
A focus on prevention and early intervention, with officers trained to stay ahead of digital crime trends.

Engagement Strategy to Build Trust

The Force’s Engagement Strategy prioritises:

Transparent communication about emerging crime trends.
Inclusive engagement with diverse communities to understand concerns and tailor responses
Modern communication methods to share key messages and offer reassurance.
Scrutiny panels and feedback loops to ensure legitimacy and accountability.

This strategy helps counter misinformation by ensuring communities receive accurate, timely, and relevant information directly from trusted sources.

Police and Crime Plan (2025–2029)

The plan outlines a commitment to:

Engaged and responsive policing that listens and adapts to public concerns.
Community cohesion and hate crime prevention, with a focus on education and support
Transparency and accountability, including quarterly performance reporting and public consultations.

The PCC’s office also funds community-led initiatives to promote digital literacy and resilience against misinformation.