Police praise for community
Police have hailed the work of community organisations in Washington for providing activities for young people and helping reduce antisocial behaviour.
Northumbria Police representativesatthelatestmeeting of the Washington Area Committee said antisocial behaviour reports in recent months had fallen by almost a fifth compared to the same period last year.
Along with highlighting a number of force initiatives, praisewasgiventothenumber of organisations putting on activities for young people.
Inspector Steve Passey, speaking to the Sunderland City Council panel on Thursday (June 30), said: “Antisocial behaviourisactuallydown19% sincelastyear,Icanonlyattributethattoallthegoodworkthe Washingtonareahasdoneover the last 12 months.
“There is a lot of youth provision that goes on in Washington which isn’t replicated across the city.
“We’ve also got a number of antisocial behaviour initiativesthatthepolicehaveputin across Washington and each one is bespoke to the needs and what’s happening in that area and all the actions are recorded.”
It was noted that overall incidents have increased since the previous area committee meetinginMarchthisyear,but thiswasexpectedbypolicedue tothe“lighter,brighter,warmer weather” attracting more youngpeopletoplayoutdoors.
Current hotspot areas in Washington being targeted by police include “in and around Lambton,FatfieldandTheGalleries.”
Insp Passey added each area has a dedicated neighbourhood officer who is working withpartnerorganisationsand parentstohelpdivertpotential culprits away from trouble.
And the force has already had success in deterring some repeat offenders.
He said: “We’ll continue to do that work with our partners and our partners in the voluntary sector as well to divert them.
“A couple I’m glad to say have been diverted away and we’renotseeingsomeoftherepeat offenders that have been in the last six months.
“But if we can’t work with the person we will use the law, we will pursue them through the criminal justice system.”
Examples given of recent “success stories” in Washington included work seizing motorcycles used to commit antisocial behaviour, and educating the individuals.