Family feud sparks rise in crime and leads to police operation involving firearms units

A "lengthy dispute between families" in the Coalfield area of Sunderland has prompted a spike in violent crime, councillors have been told.
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A Sunderland City Council meeting was told that family feuding has prompted a spike in violent crime in the area covering Hetton, Houghton and Shiney Row.

According to police, stakes have increased in the ‘lengthy dispute’ between groups in the area.

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Firearms units, dogs and even mounted officers have all been deployed as part of efforts to calm the situation, with bosses now hopeful their actions have cooled tempers.

According to a report prepared for Sunderland City Council by Northumbria Police: “Violent crime continues to rise [in the Coalfield], with a significant number of offences due to a lengthy dispute between families which has recently escalated.

“Tensions are now easing following police intervention and a number of arrests.

“A patrol plan and area command operation remain in place, with local officers continuing to be supported by deployment of Operations resources (mounted, traffic, firearms, dogs).”

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The update from officers was presented to members of the city council’s Coalfield Area Committee, covering Copt Hill, Hetton, Houghton and Shiney Row, which met last night (Tuesday, September 29) by videolink.

According to the report, there were 681 instances of ‘violence against the person’ in the area between April 1–September 7, of which 18 resulted in ‘serious injury’.

This also highlighted a rise in domestic violence during the national lockdown earlier this year, although this also fell as restrictions were eased.

Officers also predicted a rise in reports of anti-social behaviour related to new COVID-19 regulations.

However, while many offences rose compared to the same period last year (2019), thefts and burglaries saw a fall.

This has been at least partly put down to a ‘prolific offender’ who was charged earlier this month (September) and has been held on remand since.

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