Positive Partnership Action Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour in Hendon

Whether working with young people or parents-how positive partnership is tackling anti-social behaviour.

On Friday 18 November, we saw Northumbria Police and Sunderland City Council joined forces to carry out a dedicated evening of action in the area. The targeted activity was aimed to address a handful of reports made to both agencies around small pockets of anti-social behaviour and disorder in recent weeks. 

One report was made earlier this month and saw police called to a larger gathering of around 30 young people in the area, which resulted in fireworks being set off near them. Officers from Hendon Neighbourhood Policing Team teamed up with neighbourhood wardens and enforcement from the council to carry out high visibility patrols in a bid to detect and disrupt crime. 

This also saw a Dispersal Order put in place and a specialist drone used to help get a better view of any emerging issues in the surrounding streets, and the results of this dedicated operation were positive. They saw officers engage with a number of young people in the area with some being taken home and advice given to parents. 

Other activity included a team to identify a young person who was in breach of their Anti-Social Behaviour Agreement (ABA)- as well as a moped being seized, and the rider reported for having no insurance, helmet or licence. 

Sergeant Mark Ellis, of Northumbria Police, said: “ Our dedicated evening of action is just one way we are addressing the concerns reported to police and partners by residents. I was really pleased to see such positive engagement taking place on the night with young people in the area.

“I would ask parents and carers to continue to engage and work with us- please speak to your children about where they are heading, what they are doing and the potential consequences of getting mixed up in this type of activity. Ultimately, we need your support to tackle anti-social behaviour in Hendon and to help ensure that young people in the community are safe. 

“This activity of course is not just a one-off and we would like to reassure those living and working in the area that patrols and partnership working will continue. However, we would also ask members of the public to continue to be our eyes and ears on the ground and report any intelligence to the police or the most appropriate agency”. 

Councillor Graeme Miller, Leader of Sunderland City Council and Chair of the Safer Sunderland Partnership, said: “The City’s Council’s neighbourhood wardens and enforcement officers will continue to work closely with the police, other agencies and with residents as anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated. 

“One of the most important matters is in all of this reminding residents to share information with us and report any issues as what they provide helps us take positive action and tackle nuisance such as these and others who cause and create anti-social behaviour”. 

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuiness, said: “My office and Violence Reduction Unit will keep on with work throughout the Force area to support our police in fighting and preventing crime. In addition to successful police crackdowns, we need to be doing all we can to improve lives and keep kids out of trouble in the first place. From education in schools to commissioning services and funding projects that provide kids with opportunities and support, all this work needs to continue”. 

If you see anything suspicious in your community, always report it to the police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page on our website or by calling 101. In an emergency, or if a crime is taking place, always ring 999.