A major operation aimed at reducing antisocial behaviour on the Tyne and Wear Metro is to return this summer. Operation Coastwatch is a joint operation with North Tyneside Council working alongside Northumbria Police and Nexus and will run from April to October.
Included in the operation are extra foot patrols, preventative work on Metro services and at stations to disrupt and stop any disorder before it reaches communities.
New figures show that there was a 17.4% drop in antisocial behaviour for 2023/4 compared to the same period in the previous year, with reported incidents falling from 590 to 489, the lowest since recording began a decade ago.
Michael Hood, Neighbourhood Inspector of Northumbria Police, said: “We know that the anti-social behaviour of a few can have a detrimental impact on our communities – and that’s why we run dedicated operations with our partners all year round to minimise incidents and tackle any disorder head-on.
“In North Tyneside specifically, we will be re-launching the very successful Operation Maple which reaped some fantastic results previously. This sees uniformed and plain-clothed officers riding the Metro network during busy periods in our coastal areas to provide a visible policing presence, offering reassurance to the public and swiftly dealing with any pockets of disorder.
“Then in the coming months, we will again be supporting Operation Coastwatch which is an incredibly successful long-standing partnership with the council and Nexus, and has helped reduce anti-social behaviour rates year-on-year.
“These operations will be supported by our Maritime Policing Unit, who also play an invaluable role, using their expertise on the water to quickly attend incidents and keep people safe.
“I’d like to thank everyone for their ongoing support, and by working together, we can continue to effectively tackle anti-social behaviour and minimise criminality in our coastal areas and at our transport hubs.”