Police target violent crime

“Tackling violent crime is a priority, day in, day out”

Police will launch a major crackdown on violent crime over the May Day weekend.

Following a noticeable spike in violent crimes in the northeast on the same weekend 12 months ago, a week of intensive action is taking place in an attempt to prevent crime and deal more robustly with offenders.

High-visibility patrols have been increased across the north-east, and bail checks are being carried out along with inspections of licensed premises in an attempt to prevent offences.

Domestic violence victims will also be visited to ensure their safety and to provide personal advice, while high tariff offenders will be contacted to ensure they are complying with court orders.

The action being taken is the latest part of operation PINE – an overarching project to combat violent crime in all its forms in the region.

Chief Inspector Murray Main, the northeast division’s strategic lead for violent crime, said: “Operation PINE is the division’s continual commitment to keeping people safe from violent crimes.

“It involves the deployment of additional officers, national resources and partner agencies within the community to bring violent offenders to justice and prevent further offending.

“Tackling violent crime is a priority, day in, day out for us.

“However targeted action like this is crucial to show those offenders who think they might get away with it that there really is nowhere to hide.”