Northumbria Police praised for innovative approach to crime prevention

An inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) further highlights how the force works with partners to combat anti-social behaviour.

The PEEL report published today on Wednesday (May 14) also recognises the success of Operation Capio – a dedicated initiative to tackle motorcycle-related crime.

The report also praised a scheme aimed at preventing children becoming involved in knife crime – known as a Trainee Detective Programme – as innovative practice.

The ground-breaking project focuses on the tragic death of 18-year-old Connor Brown, who was killed in Sunderland, and educates young people about the dangers of knife crime. During the course virtual reality technology is used to transport the participants to the crime scene.

The report recognises continued improvements in answering 999 calls. Since the inspection even greater improvements have been made and the force is now exceeding the HMICFRS target for answering emergency calls.

The inspection, which concluded in December, has also highlighted the positive impact of new ways of working which have been implemented over the past 12 months.

Most notably, this includes increasing the number of area commands – from three to six. This recognises that communities have their own identities and issues which matter most to them. Moving to this structure allows the force to best respond to these needs.

The new model will also help ensure it can better meet both current and future demands.

However, the report does raise areas for improvement and the force have already made progress in addressing these and this work will continue.

This includes replacing ageing IT infrastructure – with significant investment being made on a new force-wide system which will help improve the service provided to the public and drive efficiencies.

The report also recognises inconsistencies in some areas – but the force has reiterated its commitment to providing the highest levels of service to all, especially victims.

Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said: “I am delighted the inspectors have highlighted innovative practice, including around how we prevent and deter crime.

“If we can help prevent someone from becoming a victim – or stop someone becoming involved in crime that is a positive outcome for all.

“Significant improvements have also been recognised in our 999 call answering – and this is vital so we can continue to be there for those who need us most.

“I am pleased the report further recognises the efforts we are making, alongside our partners, to tackle anti-social behaviour including our response to motorcycle-related crime.

“Our new ways of working, including moving to six area commands also means we are better meeting the needs of our communities – and tackling the issues which matter most to you.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our officers, staff and volunteers for their efforts and commitment, and to our communities for their continued support.

“We are absolutely determined to deliver an outstanding service to all.”

Northumbria police and crime commissioner (PCC) Susan Dungworth said: “As PCC, I want us to be doing all we can to deliver safer streets and stronger communities for everyone and there are many strengths highlighted in this report that show Northumbria Police is already doing great work to help achieve this.

“The Trainee Detectives Programme, which I help fund through the Violence Reduction Unit, is a great example of how we are working together to educate and prevent crime to help create resilient communities for the future.

“I have made being an engaged and responsive police force a priority in my Police and Crime Plan to keep this as a real focus going forward.

“My office will continue to play a key role in monitoring delivery and performance through my new scrutiny programme to ensure the policing response is both efficient and effective and I am confident under the chief constable’s leadership further improvements will follow.”

HM Inspector of Constabulary Michelle Skeer said: “I am pleased with some aspects of the performance of Northumbria Police in keeping people safe, reducing crime and providing victims with an effective service. I am satisfied with most other aspects of the force’s performance, but there are areas in which it needs to improve.

“Northumbria Police is one of the largest police forces in the country and serves a population of almost 1.5 million people. It covers a diverse region of more than 2,000 square miles, which ranges from urban environments to large rural areas. It also includes areas that are among the most deprived in the country. A higher than average proportion (23.3 per cent) of neighbourhoods in Northumbria are in the top ten per cent most deprived areas for employment across England and Wales.

“In the 2023/24 financial year, the force received funding equivalent to £275 per resident. It receives 17 per cent of its funding from council tax precept. This proportion is one of the lowest for forces in England and Wales where the average is 35.6 per cent. The rest of the force’s funding comes from government and non-government grants.

“The force has slightly higher than average levels of demand for service. In the year ending December 31, 2024, it received 183 emergency calls per 1,000 population. This is at the higher end of the range expected for forces in England and Wales. In the year ending September 30, 2024, the force received 295 non-emergency calls per 1,000 population. This is higher than the average for England and Wales of 226 per 1,000 population.”

She added: “I am pleased to see that the force has made a distinct improvement in answering 999 emergency calls promptly. In the year ending October 31, 2024, it answered 86.7 percent of its 999 calls within ten seconds. The force has steadily improved performance on this measure and in November 2024, met the required 90 per cent standard for the first time. It has also reduced the time it takes to respond to emergency incidents. The force needs to maintain its focus on improving the service it provides.

“The force has seen considerable change since our last PEEL report. It has a new chief officer team and operating model. This new model has increased the number of area commands from three to six, each of which is aligned with a local authority area.

“I recognise that during the riots of August 2024, Northumbria Police had to respond to serious and violent disorder. These events required large amounts of resources to be deployed locally, regionally and nationally. At the time of this inspection, investigations relating to this disorder were ongoing, and arrests were still being made.

“I am pleased to see that the force continues to treat the public well. The force has a good understanding of disproportionality when using police powers and gathers effective data. This allows it to monitor its use of powers, making sure the public in Northumbria is treated fairly.

“The force needs to improve its use of protective orders to better protect victims of domestic abuse. It also needs to follow national guidelines under the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (also known as Clare’s Law) when making disclosures about domestic abuse perpetrators.

“The force is effective in retaining new recruits and provides opportunities for officers and staff to develop and make progress. It has a good understanding of barriers to career progression for under-represented groups, and this has led to the introduction of effective development programmes.

“The force has recognised the need to replace an ageing IT infrastructure and plans to invest in new systems. This is an ongoing process that is scheduled to be completed in 2026.

“There are areas of work where the force could improve the level of service it provides to the public. But I am optimistic that the force’s leadership and management will provide those improvements.”