New officers helping keep Cramlington safe
21 Dec 2023 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
A new team of Community Safety Officers have started work in Cramlington – working with police and partners to cut down anti-social behaviour (ASB).
It comes after the council secured grant funding for ASB hotspot and transport initiatives run by Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness’ office as part of the Home Office’s Safer Streets programme.
Using a data and intelligence led approach, an area of Cramlington in and around the town centre was identified as a priority area.
Additionally transport hubs throughout the county have been identified and as focus areas to both address anti -social behaviour and also to seek to make such spaces safer places for women and girls.
A team of four Community Safety officers are now working in the area, engaging with local people, community services and businesses and providing a visible presence to help deter unwanted behaviour.
The officers will work closely with Northumbria Police, Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service, Housing providers and other partners and operate flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and can also be deployed to certain hotspot areas if issues are identified.
Taking a problem-solving approach and being based with Northumberland Communities Together it is hoped that their collective presence, approach and efforts will make a real difference to communities in Cramlington and across the wider county.
Councillor Gordon Stewart, Northumberland County Council Cabinet Member for Looking After Our Communities, said: “Our county has a well-deserved reputation for being a safe place to live, but like anywhere we do see issues of anti-social behaviour which can affect people’s quality of life.
“Cramlington town centre was identified as a hotspot, and although it’s a small number of young people, we are committed to tackling the issue.
“These new officers will be a visible presence in and around the town, working alongside police and other partners, to deter unacceptable behaviour.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness said: “We don’t want this really small minority spoiling Cramlington for others.
“Extra officers is what local people want to see and we are delivering this, as best we can, to boost visibility, deter crime and really engage with local people. Funding has previously been secured through my Violence Reduction Unit to put extra officers out on patrol in in the area too and it had a significant impact and I hope this latest focused activity will repeat that and really help with fighting and preventing crime in the area.
In a joint statement, Cramlington County Councillors whose wards are covered by the new patrols, said: “We warmly welcome the support given by this new team.
"We pride ourselves on having a good friendly town where people get along and respect each other, and are not prepared to let a very small minority spoil things for everyone else.
“We look forward to seeing the officers out and about in the community over the coming months.”
Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service Area Manager Joe Haustead added: “Our absolute priority is the safety and wellbeing of our residents and of local communities.
“We know that effective partnership working is vital to reducing crime and disorder and ASB. This multi-agency partnership demonstrates the commitment by us all, that by closely working together we will address this problem.
“No one organisation can address the range of underlying causes or drivers of crime and ASB. However, together the organisations represented in this partnership can identify and understand the problems within the community and work together to find solutions.”