Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit

05/06/2026

🔪 333 knives handed into police surrender bins
👮‍♂️ 106 arrests made
👩‍🏫 584 young people educated
👀 62 practitioners received knife crime awareness training
👮‍♂️ Targeted patrols underway through Project Guardian

Just some of the great results from the latest Sceptre, a national week of action tackling knife crime.

Northumbria Police have removed hundreds of dangerous weapons from our streets, making arrests, and disrupting violence before it escalates.

Through our Violence Reduction Unit and local partners, education and prevention work has been ongoing which sees us reaching young people early, listening to them, and making sure they are equipped to make safer, more informed choices.

This is all part of our year-round commitment to tackling serious violence, with intensified activity during initiatives like Sceptre.

🗣 Susan Dungworth - Northumbria Police & Crime Commissioner said: "Knife crime can have a devastating and lasting impact on individuals, families and communities, which is why preventing violence and keeping people safe remains a key priority in my Police and Crime Plan. We all have a role to play, whether that’s as parents, friends, teachers, youth workers, or police officers – and that means starting conversations early and offering support when it matters most. Together, we are building safer, stronger communities for everyone."

04/06/2026

Spotting the signs and starting early conversations is so important in tackling knife crime. 🗣

That’s why we deliver awareness sessions to practitioners working with young people, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to start those early discussions on the dangers associated with carrying and using knives.

During a recent session in South Tyneside, staff received insight into the laws and consequences of knife crime, as well as exploring factors that can increase a person’s vulnerability.

Through these informative sessions, we are increasing the number of people who can recognise potential issues and provide support to young people, helping to prevent them being exploited or becoming involved in violent crime.

For more about the sessions we deliver, ask us in the comments below 👇 or email [email protected] 📧

03/06/2026

Are you aged between 18 and 25❓
Do you visit bars, clubs, or venues in Newcastle City Centre❓

If so, we'd really appreciate just 10 minutes of your time to complete a short anonymous survey.

Project Alliance is working with students across Newcastle's universities and colleges to better understand experiences, awareness and support needs around spiking.

Your feedback will help shape future prevention and support across the region.

02/06/2026

Great to visit Howdon Hub last week and speak with young people taking part in the new outdoor gym project. 🏋️

Developed by members of the Family Gateway Youth Board, this fantastic initiative is creating a safe and positive space where young people can stay active, spend time with friends, and take part in activities designed by, and for young people.

🗣 Susan Dungworth - Northumbria Police & Crime Commissioner said: "It was great to see so many getting involved, with support from a dedicated coach, as well as preparing healthy drinks after completing food hygiene training – helping them build confidence, develop new skills, and make healthier choices in a fun and supportive environment. Funded through our Local Youth Fund, these gym sessions are a brilliant example of what can be achieved when we listen to young people."

Well done to everyone involved, it’s great to see the positive impact this project is having. 👏

27/05/2026

Our Violence Prevention Ambassadors Programme is an innovative online training initiative designed to address the root causes of serious violence in communities. 💻📲

It provides youth workers, practitioners, and community leaders with essential e-learning modules on knife crime, Joint Enterprise, youth violence, hidden harms, and county lines & exploitation.

Each course is designed to empower trusted adults, increasing their knowledge and equipping them with the skills to support young people in making safer choices.

Those who complete all modules will become a Violence Prevention Ambassador, joining a growing network of over 3️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ trained individuals committed to breaking cycles of violence and building safer, stronger communities.

Sign up via the link in the comments below 👇

26/05/2026

The importance of education… 🗣️

Last week, our dedicated Education Team visited Northumberland College to speak with students about the devastating impact knife crime can have on individuals, families, and communities.

Through our violence reduction awareness sessions, young people are given the opportunity to take part in open and honest conversations about the dangers and consequences of carrying and using knives.

These sessions are helping give young people the knowledge and confidence to make safe and informed choices.

To find out more about the sessions we deliver, email [email protected] 📧 or drop a comment below 👇 See less

22/05/2026

Education and early intervention play such a vital role in helping young people make safe, informed decisions.

This week, we joined partners from across the Northumbria Police force area, alongside representatives from the Home Office and Department for Education.

This provided an opportunity to share the work we are delivering in schools to educate children and young people around serious violence, including the dangers and consequences of knife crime.

By engaging with young people at an earlier stage, we can help raise awareness, and provide the knowledge and support needed to make positive choices.

We also highlighted the work of our Student Support Champions, who continue to make a significant impact through one-to-one and small group sessions with young people who may need additional support.

We are proud that this approach has been recognised in the Government’s recent plan to halve knife crime, reinforcing the importance of partnership working, prevention, and investing in support for young people.

By continuing to work together with schools, partner organisations, and local communities, we remain committed to creating safer streets and stronger communities for everyone.

21/05/2026

Project Guardian patrols are being rolled out this week, building on the extensive work in our communities to prevent serious violence, reduce knife crime and help keep people safe.

By using intelligence and local insight, we can ensure resources are in places where they will have the greatest impact – not only through Northumbria Police patrols and enforcement activity, but through meaningful engagement with communities.

Susan Dungworth - Northumbria Police & Crime Commissioner said: “As we head into the busy summer period, I want people to feel safe when they are out enjoying everything our towns and cities have to offer – and these patrols will provide a visible and reassuring presence.

“Prevention must remain at the heart of this work, and through the Violence Reduction Unit and our partners, we are continuing to work closely with youth services, schools and community organisations to educate, reach people earlier, and address the underlying causes of serious violence.”

20/05/2026

Project Alliance is working with students across Newcastle's universities and colleges to better understand experiences, awareness and support needs around spiking.

Are you aged between 18 and 25❓

Do you visit bars, clubs, or venues in Newcastle City Centre❓

If so, we'd really appreciate just 10 minutes of your time to complete a short anonymous survey.

Your feedback will help shape future prevention and support across the region.

19/05/2026

Knife crime can have a devastating and lasting impact on individuals, families and communities, which is why preventing violence remains a key priority.

Sceptre, the national week of action tackling knife crime, builds on the work taking place in communities all year round, and reflects our strong partnership approach to preventing violence, supporting young and vulnerable people, and tackling offending.

Northumbria Police are carrying out intensified activity, including targeted patrols and arrests in key areas, while our team, alongside partners, continues to educate young people, raise awareness, and support those most at risk.

Together, we can build safer streets and stronger communities for everyone. ✅

❌ Sceptre is back this week as we take part in enhanced action across our communities to further tackle knife crime.

Warrants are being carried out to arrest those suspected of violence, with weapons sweeps also taking place.

🛍️ We are also working with local authority Trading Standards teams, as test purchases are made to ensure retailers are complying with the law around the sale of knives 🔪

With our colleagues in the Violence Reduction Unit, we are holding engagement sessions at schools and colleges to emphasise to young people the dangers of choosing to pick up knives. This includes inputs from the Connor Brown Trust ❤️

🚆 Teams are also riding the rails on the Metro system to detect knife crime issues and engage with commuters.

❗ If you've got any unwanted knives, we are running the Pointless Knife Exchange Scheme, which allows eligible households and other settings the opportunity to swap pointed kitchen knives for new, high-quality, safer-design knives. These knives do not have a sharp-pointed tip.