Free crime alerts
South Tyneside residents can now receive free crime alerts and news from Northumbria Police.
Hundreds of borough residents are already benefitting from the community messaging service after signing up to receive information via email, text or landline telephone.
The system has been set up forcewide as part of the ongoing commitment to improve communication between the police and the community. In South Tyneside, it also aims to give people information specific to their local area.
People have the option to register as individuals or on behalf of a group such as Neighbourhood Watch, Shopwatch or Pubwatch.
Neighbourhood officers will be giving out leaflets to encourage more people to become part of the scheme and find out more about: crime in their area; action taken by police and partners to tackle crime; appeals for witnesses or help to trace missing people and events and opportunities to meet your Neighbourhood Policing Team and have your say about crime in your area.
Superintendent John Chappell, from South Tyneside Area Command, said: "Community messaging is another way to engage with our residents in South Tyneside.
"This doesn't replace face to face contact with the public - the scheme helps us to reach out to people in ways that are more convenient for them.
"And by improving the flow of information between the police and the community, we can all make a greater impact in the prevention and detection of crime."
If you're interested in signing up to community messaging contact 03456 043 043 extension 65933.
The details of those registering will be stored within a computer database and grouped by geographic area. Details will only be used for community messaging purposes.
Chat to Inspectors online
South Tyneside residents are being given a chance to have their say on crime and community issues from the comfort of their own home.
Online Police and Communities Together meetings are being launched in the borough allowing people the chance to have their say on crime and community issues from the comfort of their own home.
The first of the two-hour web chats was held in April for the Riverside and West Shields area.
Neighbourhood Inspector Peter Sutton hosted the virtual meeting which ran from 6pm to 8pm.
Further meetings will be held for Jarrow and Hebburn, on Tuesday, May 17 and Boldon, Cleadon, Whitburn and East Shields, on Wednesday, June 15 headed by the Neighbourhood Inspectors for the areas.
The online meetings will give residents the opportunity to ask questions and find out about what police are doing in their area.
Neighbourhood Superintendent John Chappell, from South Tyneside Area Command, said: "Our Neighbourhood Policing Teams are committed to listening to community concerns so that we can address them - the online meetings offer another way for people to get in touch.
"Residents can log on and hear about police work in their area to tackle issues they see as a priority, as well as raise any concerns they have about crime and disorder."
To get involved in the online meetings, visit the South Tyneside online meetings page of our website and click on the relevant South Tyneside meeting link. People wanting to participate can also set an email reminder.
Meetings will also be advertised on South Tyneside Area Command's Facebook and Twitter pages.
Police push home safe Internet message
Police in South Tyneside are giving advice to parents to ensure their children stay safe on the Internet.
Officers are teaming up with borough schools to give out leaflets to parents giving guidelines and advice on the use of social networking sites such as Facebook, twitter and bebo which youngsters spend a lot of time communicating on.
Because of this, it's important parents are aware of how to use the Internet safely as a means of communication and of what their children are doing online.
Inspector Peter Sutton said: "The Internet is an essential tool and social networking sites are a popular way for young people to communicate.
"We feel it's important youngsters reap the benefits of the Internet but we need to make sure they stay safe online and know how to use it responsibly.
"These leaflets give practical advice for parents on social networking sites, a lot of which are relatively unregulated.
"We would advise parents to talk to their children about the dangers of chatting to people online, agree with them that they will not to give out any personal details to anyone and tell them to never meet with anybody they meet online.
"There are also IT solutions available which enable parents to monitor what their children are doing online.
"If parents are worried in any way, they should contact police."
Further information can also be found on our Ebeat site - www.ebeat.org.uk.
Nuisance bikers tackled
Police in South Tyneside are tackling nuisance bikers using nature reserves as race tracks.
Patrols have been stepped up in and around the burn area of West Boldon and Boldon Colliery, as well as Marsden Quarry in South Shields, to target bikers riding illegally and putting lives at risk.
The initiative follows concerns raised by residents living nearby over illegal bikers riding round the grasslands.
Off-road bikes and mini motos, which can reach speeds of 40mph, can only be ridden on private land with the landowner’s permission.
Dave Hudson, Neighbourhood Inspector for the areas, said: "The illegal use of off-road bikes and mini motos is an issue we take very seriously.
"We know these riders cause a lot of concern for residents, not only impacting on their quality of life, but also in terms of their safety.
"We have a number of powers available to assist us in tackling these illegal riders and officers will not hesitate to use them.
"Illegal use of these bikes could also prove very costly for the owner, especially if they are repeatedly being seized."
Anyone who sees bikes being ridden illegally, or knows where they are being kept, are asked to contact police on 03456 043 043.
Picture courtesy Shields Gazette
Residents get sheducated
Residents living on a South Tyneside estate attended an event to beat the shed burglar.
Neighbourhood Beat Managers joined forces with South Tyneside Council's community safety team to host a crime prevention event for residents living on Westoe Crown Village.
People also got advice on securing their shed so they can avoid becoming the victim of opportunist thieves and were able to place orders for crime prevention devices such as shed bars and alarms.
The event was organised following recent shed burglaries in the area, but it's also a timely reminder to think secure as thieves like to take advantage of the warmer weather and lighter nights when people may leave their sheds open or gates unlocked while busy gardening.
Dave Hudson, Neighbourhood Inspector for the area, said: "In response to recent shed burglaries we have stepped up patrols in the area, particularly overnight, to target and deter thieves which seems to have had the desired effect.
"However, we also wanted to encourage people to take on board crime prevention advice so they can do their bit to keep thieves at bay.
"Most people don't realise the value of property stored in sheds and garages until it is stolen.
"Gardeners continue to store high value equipment such as tools, lawn mowers, power tools and bikes in sheds and outhouses without adequate security.
"Not only can householders lose their valuable property, but garden tools can also be used to break into homes.
"I would ask the public to be more vigilant and take extra security measures in and around the garden such as using quality padlocks and locking garden side gates.
"Bikes in particular need additional security locks and chains within the garage or shed, as they are increasingly becoming the target for thieves. All property should also be security marked."
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Northumbria Police are now adding local information to our Facebook pages.
This gives you the opportunity to keep up to date with local news and events, and is another way to find out more about what we are doing in your local area.
We are also posting regular news updates and upcoming events to our Twitter feeds.
To join and take advantage of any of these FREE services please use the links below:
Get involved with Facebook here:
Keep up to date with Twitter here:
Contact us
If you'd like to meet and speak to your local neighbourhood officer you can also come along to an informal police drop-in surgery where you can talk to your local neighbourhood officer about any policing concerns or to ask crime prevention advice. Check out forthcoming dates by logging on to the force website.
Look out for the Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meetings across South Tyneside, where members of the community are invited to meet with their local officers and discuss any policing concerns. These meetings, publicised on the force website, help residents to know who their local officer is and how to contact them. Representatives from the local authority will also be present to deal with your queries.
We also need your help in continuing to make South Tyneside a safe place to live, work and visit. If you see anything suspicious or have any concerns then get in touch by phoning 03456 043 043 ext 69191 and asking to speak to your local neighbourhood policing team. You can also Email us or call in to your local police station:
South Shields Police Station
Millbank
Station Road
South Shields
NE33 1RR
Opening hours: Open 24 hours