Making Communities Safer

Addressing domestic abuse and tackling anti-social behaviour are just some of the top priorities set to be endorsed this week as part of South Tyneside's Community Safety Partnership Plan 2021-24.

'Making Communities Safer' outlines the Borough's multi-agency approach to reducing crime, disorder and re-offending by setting out key priorities for the next three years. It also reflects on the achievements delivered under the previous plan.

It is a requirement that the Community Safety Partnership Plan is refreshed every three years and is reviewed annually to reflect national and local trends in crime and anti-social behaviour.

Members of South Tyneside's Borough Council will be asked to approve the Plan for 2021-24 at its meeting taking place this Thursday (24 June).

Councillor Ernest Gibson, Lead Member for Area Management and Community Safety, said: "South Tyneside's Community Safety Partnership Plan plays an important role in reducing crime across the Borough.

"Under the previous Plan, we have seen a 20 per cent reduction in crime reported to Northumbria Police and a 45 per cent fall in reports of youth-related anti-social behaviour. A staggering 97 per cent of residents also said they feel safe, or fairly safe, where they live.  

"These are really positive outcomes and are the result of a strong co-ordinated approach to tackling crime and disorder, not to mention the valuable support of our local communities. These new priorities - as set out in our refreshed Plan - are also based on data and intelligence provided by our partners, and just as importantly, feedback from our residents.

"The Plan also acknowledges the significant and ongoing impact of Covid-19 on our communities and highlights the need for a strong, safe and resilient community spirit and the importance of protecting vulnerable groups and individuals.

"It is inevitable there will always be crime in our communities, but we are committed to doing all we to make our communities safer and tackle the issues which affect our residents the most. By working together with the Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness and our community safety partners, we can continue to maintain low levels of crime in the Borough and help people feel even safer."

The key strategic priorities identified for 2021-24 include:

• Reducing crime;
• Addressing domestic and sexual Abuse;
• Putting victims first;
• Dealing with antisocial behaviour, and
• Delivering community confidence.

The Community Safety Partnership is made up of South Tyneside Council, South Tyneside Homes, Northumbria Police, Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue Service, National Probation Service (Northumbria), South Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group. South Tyneside Foundation Trust, the Northumbria Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and South Tyneside College.

Making Communities Safer also aligns with the Council's core priorities, set out earlier this year, to support families and our older and more vulnerable communities, to create the conditions for recovery and investment and to support our town centres, high streets, villages and hospitality.