Anti-social behaviour complaints across South Tyneside continue to rise during lockdown

The Gazette told last month how incidents had had more than doubled between March and April and were responsible for approaching half of all crimes reported across South Tyneside.

Northumbria Police stressed that a “significant proportion” of the 918 cases were suspected breaches of emergency covid-19 legislation such as house parties or gangs congregating outdoors.

Now May’s figures, which have been published by the Home Office, show that the number of anti-social behaviour incidents has risen by 36 to 954.

This accounts for more than 48 per cent of the overall 1,955 crimes logged across the borough’s three policing neighbourhoods.

Blackspots included Daltons Lane (18 incidents), Holder House Way (16) and John Reid Road (13), all in South Shields, and York Avenue, in Jarrow, where seven complaints were reported.

Northumbria Police have again said the figures should be viewed in context following the introduction of social distancing restrictions triggered by the pandemic.

They also insist they “will continue to take a proactive approach in tackling pockets of disorder”.

A force spokesman said: “We would continue to ask everyone to follow the modified regulations.

“Personal responsibility is now key. We all have a responsibility to respect our communities and our fellow citizens and we must not undermine everything we have sacrificed during lockdown.”

May’s overall figure for reported crime across South Tyneside, 1,955, is 100 cases higher than April’s 1,855 total and 237 cases higher than the 1,718 incidents recorded in May 2019.

The 954 instances of anti-social behaviour recorded in May compares to 412 cases 12 months previously.

Anti-social behaviour was then responsible for less than a quarter of all crimes reported across the borough.

The Northumbria Police spokesperson added: “We understand the corrosive and harmful impact that anti-social behaviour committed by a minority of individuals can have on the communities we serve.

“As a result, we will continue to take a proactive approach in tackling pockets of disorder and work closely with partners to ensure hotspot areas are identified and those responsible are appropriately dealt with.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world.

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you.

How to subscribe to the print edition:

It’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of.

Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.