January 2011 news roundup in
British Sign Language

 

Christmas campaign leads to crime drop

Residents got a late Christmas present when new figures showed burglaries and robberies had fallen after the force's festive campaign.

The "Don't Let Thieves Steal Your Christmas" initiative started in November, with the aim of helping people to avoid becoming the victims of thieves over the holidays.

The campaign saw an overall 5% fall in acquisitive crime, which includes theft, robbery, shoplifting, thefts from motor vehicles and house burglaries.

Chief Inspector Bob Ryan, said: "We wanted everyone to have a happy holiday and not fall victim to petty thieves.

"As part of the campaign officers took part in activity to disrupt crime, catch thieves, and seize stolen goods.

"Together with local shopping centres and high street stores we also gave advice to the public about keeping their Christmas gifts out of sight, either in their car windows or at home.”

During the campaign period the number of burglaries fell by 10% and robberies by 17%.

Drink drive figures released

More than 1,300 drink driving tests took place over the festive period  - with a fall in the number of motorists breaking the law.

Between December 1, 2010, and January 1 this year, the number of tests carried out by police was up 37% compared to the same period the year before.

However the number of positive or refused tests fell from 94 to 88, a decrease of 3%.

Acting Chief Inspector Sarah Pitt said: "Although it's encouraging that an increasing number of people who were stopped were heeding the drink drive message, there clearly remains a number of people who still think they won't get caught.

"Those who have failed drink drive tests are facing a minimum of a year's driving ban, a fine, huge increases in insurance premiums and difficulties in hiring cars.

"In many cases it can lead to them losing their job and even their home, but their actions may have had even more tragic consequences as they are putting their own and other people's lives at risk.

Although the campaign has ended, officers continue to routinely carry out tests following collisions or when an officer suspects that a driver is drunk.

Acting Chief Inspector Pitt added: "As a force we will continue to enforce the law in relation to drink driving as part of our everyday business. This tough stance is not just taken at Christmas but goes on for the entire year."

Sunderland v Newcastle match

Meanwhile a major policing operation took place for the Sunderland versus Newcastle derby game in January.

The majority of fans at behaved well but a small number were intent on causing trouble.

Around 48,000 supporters attended the match at the Stadium of Light where there was a large police presence.

Despite warnings to troublemakers in the run up to the game, some fans still caused problems.

Disappointingly, 24 arrests were made before, during and immediately after the match for offences including drunk and disorderly, disorderly conduct and going into the playing area.

Match Commander Temporary Chief Superintendent Steve Neill, said: “The crowd was mainly good natured and the overwhelming majority wanted nothing more than to enjoy the action on the pitch in an atmosphere free from violence and disorder.

“However, there were still some troublemakers who were determined to spoil things for the genuine fans.

“We had anticipated the potential for disorder and had the resources in place to deal with it swiftly and firmly.

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