Police team net award for ‘passion and determination’
A police team who have helped locate more than 220 missing people and protected hundreds of vulnerable victims have had their work recognised.
Northumbria Police’s Southern Harm Reduction Team (HRT) have, since August 2019, played a key role in keeping vulnerable people safe as well as targeting prolific offenders in South Tyne side and Sunderland.
Since being formed, the team have helped locate 224 missing people – in areas as far afield as Thailand, Italy and Iran – and also worked with NHS organisations to coordinate a regional approach towards helping vulnerable victims and offenders.
In the last 12 months, the team have also secured prison recalls against 38 serial offenders who have breached their licence and used civil legislation to secure injunctions and criminal behaviour orders to tackle persistent alcohol or drug-related crime – especially domestic violence.
In recognition of their outstanding contribution, the team – based at Millbank Police Station in South Shields – received the ‘Protecting the Vulnerable’ award at Northumbria Police’s Southern Area Command Awards.
HRT leader, Insp Don Wade, said: “The passion and determination shown every day by the team as they look to protect some of the most vulnerable people in our region is nothing short of outstanding.
“The last two years in particularhave been very hard for everyone, but what has been so humbling is seeing the people of the North East pull together to look after each other and show the community spirit that this region is famed for.”
He added: “I would like to thank everyone who considered the team for this award – and we will continue to do everything we can to make sure the most vulnerable people in our communities are given the best possible support that they rightly expect and deserve.”
Officers from across Sunderland and South Tyneside attended last week’s event which saw more than a dozen awards issued.
Superintendent Barrie Joisce, of Northumbria Police, added: “We see examples of outstanding policing by individualsandteamseverysingle day – so it’s important that we took the time to reflect on some of the major successes andrecognisethoseinvolved.”