KIM MCGUINNESS: Fighting crime has to start with the prevention of crime

“In the last few years, we’ve seen Government promise more police officers: the reality is the numbers will only replace around a half of those lost – their plans don’t go anywhere near far enough.”

Calls were coming in thick and fast - needing to be answered, needing police officers. The response isn’t always as quick as we want it to be, but it’s been an area in which we are investing and recent inspection findings show we are starting to deliver improvements.

But that’s just it, to deliver improvements you have to invest. Crime is evolving, demand is growing, and we need to be able to meet that demand.

Keeping you and your family safe is the number one priority for me and for Northumbria Police, but to do that we need a well-resourced police force.

Sadly, Government austerity means we are still way behind where we should be. We had an entire decade where Government didn’t replace staff. Northumbria Police lost more than 1,100 officers. Gone. £148m in budget cuts were forced on Northumbria Police – it’s fair to say we have been one of the hardest hit forces in the country.

In the last few years, we’ve seen Government promise more police officers: the reality is the numbers will only replace around a half of those lost – their plans don’t go anywhere near far enough.

So, what else can we do to keep out region safe? Well, for me and for many others out there, prevention is key. In many disadvantaged areas austerity has left some young people to simply fend for themselves.

We’ve seen the youth clubs close, the Sure Start centres shut down.

We need to bring an end to this lack of opportunity. We need to remove the barriers of deprivation. This is how we prevent crime. This is how we’ll see crime fall.

And if you want to know what all that looks like in action - Sunderland’s Foundation of Light and the YOLO project are a great example.

I want us to present young people with an alternative to criminality.

This is why I’m helping fund my Violence Reduction Unit, a team set up to steer people away from crime. Where I can, I’m making sure funding gets to where it’s needed.

Restoring our youth clubs, helping grass root sports projects, and supporting family services.

We need to reach young people before they get caught up in the criminal justice system. Fighting crime starts with preventing crime.