Crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) continue to fall thanks to collaborative community safety projects in Newcastle.
In the city centre, the City Safe hub has seen ASB down almost 12 percent, and crime overall down more than 6 percent in the past year.
While in the west, north and outer west and east of Newcastle the Empowering People in Communities (EPiC) teams have engaged more than 11,350 residents and businesses to identify and tackle the issues affecting them.
Cllr Peter Lovatt, Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local services, said: “We know how important issues of crime and anti-social behaviour are to everyone, and the City Safe and EPiC initiatives shows the really positive impact authorities can have by working closely together in tackling that.
“It is great to see the council, police and partners side by side in hubs at the heart of our communities, from where they are best placed to listen to local concerns, build relationships and visibly tackle issues that matter to residents.
“These latest figures show the partnership continues to go from strength to strength, making our city a more welcoming place to live, work and visit; and ensuring some of our most vulnerable citizens receive the help and support they need.
“We can as a city be proud of the work that is being done, and I would encourage everyone to work with us to ensure we have the safe, clean and welcoming neighbourhoods we all want to live in.”
What are City Safe and EPiC?
Launched in May 2024, the City Safe hub at City Library, brings together Newcastle City Council, Northumbria Police, NE1, youth justice, probation and harm reduction services.
Working from a single location on a day-to-day basis it has allowed information to be shared more easily, and for greater joint working to target problem areas and individuals, improving the city’s busiest streets for all.
EPiC was launched in 2023, initially in the west of the city, but with hubs now also in the north and outer west, and east.
Community safety officers engage with members of the community; organise community events – of which there have been 96 in the past 12 months; and have carried out almost 1,500 “walkabouts” and days of action.
That helps to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, and sees the team delivering community-led projects, improving public spaces or increasing community participation and pride, leading to more engagement and volunteering.”
Chief Inspector Dean Hood, who leads on Newcastle Communities in Northumbria Police, said: “As a Force, we are committed to tackling the issues that matter most to our communities – and that includes anti-social behaviour.
“We carry out targeted activity year-round to drive down pockets of disorder and keep people safe, with teams such as City Safe and EPiC playing an integral role.
“Thanks to their dedication to problem solving, while working in collaboration with key partners, we have already seen significant reductions in ASB and crime in hotspot areas.
“Rest assured, our work is far from over yet – and we would urge businesses, residents and visitors alike to keep working with us so we can make a positive difference.”
Report a crime
To report a crime, you can send Northumbria Police a direct message on social media or use live chat and report forms on the Force’s website. To do so visit www.northumbria.police.uk/ro/report/
Those unable to make contact in these ways can call 101. In an emergency, or where a crime is taking place, always dial 999.