Anti-social behaviour in Gateshead has fallen sharply after two years of targeted police work funded by a £4 million government investment. Adult offences dropped by 19% between April and December 2025, from 2,843 to 2,294, while youth incidents fell 17%, from 671 to 609. Overall crime also dipped by 1%, with recorded incidents down from 14,151 to 13,971.
The programmes, known as Project Shield and Project Guardian, have put more officers on patrol in hotspot areas, carried out stop and search operations and weapon sweeps, and run community events. Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth said the work was delivering meaningful change. “I want people to feel that their streets are safer, and their community is stronger,” she said.
Residents appear to be noticing the difference. The proportion of people in Gateshead who think their neighbourhood has worsened fell from 37% to 34% in the same period. The Project Guardian patrols, funded by the Home Office’s Knife Crime Concentration Fund, aim to cut knife crime by a third over two years. Alongside enforcement, the work involves the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit and youth services to steer young people away from trouble.
With summer usually bringing a seasonal rise in anti-social behaviour, Gateshead Council and Northumbria Police say they are already planning extra activity in town and city centres to keep the momentum going.
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