Newcastle Central

Anti-social behaviour around Old Eldon Square, Blackett Street and Northumberland Street

In order to combat anti-social behaviour (ASB) this summer we implemented Operation Toon Watch. Toon watch is a multi-partner coordinated approach to tackling ASB in the city centre. Partners such as Newcastle City Council, NE1, Eldon Sq, Universities, The Gate, CCTV operators have all worked together to ensure a coordinated and proportionate response to ASB.

Activities include, uniformed patrols, plain clothed patrols, knife arch deployments, CCTV monitoring for any large groups gathering, Community and Safety Engagement van deployed in the city to engage with the public.

Officers have been utilising dispersal powers and Community Protection Warnings.

Project Guardian is providing extra patrols focused on prevention and early intervention.

We have engaged parents early in any intervention using the Graded Response process with the City Council, notifying parents through letters and home visits.

The partnership have meet by-weekly to coordinate deployments in hot spot areas.

Serious Violence in Newcastle City Centre

We have a proactive Operation Spear team focused on reducing serious violence in the city centre. They identify key individuals early, target offenders, and use measures such as remand applications, conditions, Community Protection Warnings, and Criminal Behaviour Orders to disrupt offending. Through City Safe partners, we also identify individuals who would benefit from diversion and intervention. As a result, serious violence has reduced by 10% year-on-year. Project Guardian will also see additional uniformed presence in the city centre, to prevent and deter serious violence.

Sexual Offending in the Night-Time Economy

We run a focused night-time economy plan every Friday and Saturday, with uniformed officers in high-footfall areas.

Operation Cloak deploys both uniformed and plain-clothes officers to deter sexual offending and intervene early, while Operation Salus targets vehicle-related risks.

Officers are briefed to spot vulnerability and provide immediate safeguarding. Our Safe Haven van operates in the Bigg Market from 10pm–4am with police and medical support.

As we welcome our new university students during Freshers weeks, we will have additional officers deployed in the city NTE from Sunday 20th September until Thursday 24th September, which will include our Safe Haven hub in the Bigg Market, officers will visible of foot in the areas of the Bigg Market to support and also prevent offending through early intervention and observations.