Today (Friday 31 January), Chi Onwurah MP met Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Susan Dungworth to discuss the fight against crime in Newcastle, and particularly child sexual exploitation and grooming.
This meeting follows extensive engagement between the MP, the PCC and Northumbria Police on child sexual exploitation in Newcastle.
With the government’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill making its way through Parliament, Chi vowed to “continue to fight against the scourge of child sexual abuse in Newcastle.”
In 2018, Chi called a debate in Parliament after Northumbria Police’s Operation Sanctuary and the Spicer Review uncovered extensive sexual abuse in the city. Today’s meeting was the latest in Chi’s years-long campaign against grooming gangs.
At the meeting, Chi also raised the issue of knife crime and gang violence in Scotswood and Benwell. In November 2022, 14-year-old boy David Gault was fatally stabbed in Elswick.
The pair also discussed widespread concerns about anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping.
Earlier today, the Home Office announced an additional £100m for neighbourhood policing. Northumbria Police’s budget will rise by £27m for the financial year 2025-26.
Chi Onwurah MP said:
“Child sexual exploitation devastates lives. Over the years I have met with and listened to victims, survivors and advocacy groups to support their fight for justice.
Every week, constituents write to me about crime blighting our communities, whether that’s knife crime or anti-social behaviour.
I won re-election in July pledging safer streets, and I am determined to keep working with Northumbria Police, the PCC, the Government, and the Council to make good on that.
Today’s confirmation of a £27mn budget increase for Northumbria Police is an important step towards that.”
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