The three hubs in Hendon, Pennywell and Concord and Sulgrave, have brought council teams, Northumbria Police, community groups and other partners together under one roof to tackle local concerns around anti-social-behaviour.
Focussing on priorities identified by residents in each area over the summer, the new hubs will build on the success of similar partnership projects, such as SAIL in the city centre, SARA in Southwick and HALO in Hetton and Easington Lane.
Louise Bolt, Neighbourhood Operations Manager at Gentoo, said: “At Gentoo, we’re proud to play our part in making Sunderland’s communities safer. By working closely with Sunderland City Council, Northumbria Police and local partners in these new Community Safety Hubs, we can respond directly to residents’ concerns and tackle anti-social behaviour together.
"This joined-up approach means we’re not only addressing issues quickly but also building stronger, more resilient neighbourhoods where people feel safe and supported."
Councillor Michael Mordey, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "We know that tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for our residents.
"That's why we've done a huge amount of listening in our three new community hub areas over the summer to identify the community safety priorities and issues that matter most to our residents in each area.
"Past experience has shown how tackling anti-social behaviour effectively requires strong collaboration. That's why we're working in partnership with the police, fire service, Gentoo, and Together for Children, because it allows us to make a real difference in our communities.
"These new hubs build on the success of our SAIL, SARA, and HALO projects, which have had a massive impact in the communities they're based in.
"Working together in our new hubs in Concord & Sulgrave, Pennywell, and Hendon will not only deliver joined-up support but strengthen local networks and help us to keep our city safe."
ASB includes verbal abuse and harassment, or threatening behaviour; and other public nuisances such as rowdy behaviour, public drunkenness, noisy neighbours, and environmental crimes such as littering and fly-tipping, graffiti and vandalism.
Councillor Kelly Chequer, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Safer Communities at Sunderland City Council, added: "This is all about putting residents’ voices at the heart of making Sunderland safer.
"Hundreds of residents shared their priorities with us over the summer and we’ve listened carefully to what matters most to everyone who took part.
"We know anti-social behaviour is a real concern for residents, but by working in and with our communities, our new hubs will be able to tackle these priorities at a local level.
"With their mission to act on residents’ feedback, they can respond to real needs in Concord & Sulgrave, Pennywell, and Hendon and make a real difference in the communities they serve."
Chief Superintendent Mark Hall, Sunderland’s Area Commander, said: “The new multi-agency hubs are based on the projects and success already experienced in Southwick, Hetton and Sunderland City.
"We are working extremely closely with our partners including Community Safety colleagues at Sunderland City Council to tackle the issues that matter the most to you, in our communities.
"The police activity, including dedicated patrols in specific areas are as a direct result of members of the public reporting crime, anti-social behaviour and providing community intelligence.
"The intentions of the introduction of the new Community Safety Hubs are to tackle the issues most impacting on our local communities, to reduce crime, anti-social behaviour and improve community confidence."
Over the last year, residents have seen real benefits from three projects the new community safety hubs are based on. Incidences of ASB have dropped by around a third in the city centre and Southwick areas, and by a fifth in the Hetton and Easington Lane hub area.
Dozens of community protection notices, warnings and acceptable behaviour agreements have also been issued across the three areas.
Each of the new hubs in Concord & Sulgrave, Pennywell, and Hendon has its own community safety officers, community safety specialists and community engagement lead as well as dedicated police and other partner support.
