SAIL project making Sunderland City Centre safer as anti-social behaviour falls significantly

The Sunderland Altogether Improving Lives (SAIL) project was launched by Northumbria Police, the Violence Reduction unit and Sunderland City Council in 2022. SAIL continues to make a real difference in the city centre by reducing anti-social behaviour and making the community safer. The project brings together a wide range of partner agencies under one roof to deliver a coordinated, long-term approach to tackling issues that matter to residents, businesses and visitors.

Latest figures show that between June 2024 and May 2025, the city centre has seen major reductions in key issues:

• All ASB is down 32%
• Youth ASB down 20%
• Alcohol Related ASB down 28%

Other types of crime have also seen notable reductions during the same period, including a 22% drop in theft and handling, a 23% decrease in vehicle crime, and a 13% fall in serious youth violence.

SAIL works with many partners including Sunderland City Council's Neighbourhood Enforcement, Housing and Environmental Service together with officers from Northumbria Police, Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit and British Transport Police. By working together with these key partners and other organisations such as NHS, Gentoo, Wear Recovery Sunderland, Youth Drug and Alcohol Project (YDAP) and Sunderland BID (Business Improvement District)., SAIL has been able to make a real difference to Sunderland city centre.  

Councillor Kelly Chequer, Sunderland City Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Safer Communities, said: "These numbers show the incredibly positive impact the SAIL project has had on our city centre."

"By working with young people to deter them from committing anti-social behaviour, and reducing overall crime in the city centre, this partnership is helping create a cleaner, safer and more vibrant place."

The SAIL project further develops the working relationships between Sunderland City Council, Northumbria Police, the Violence Reduction Unit, Sunderland BID and other key partners to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Sunderland.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth said: "These are fantastic results, and a powerful example of what can be achieved when we come together with a shared commitment to tackling the issues that matter most to our communities.

"I'm really pleased to see the difference the SAIL project is making in Sunderland City Centre. By tackling anti-social behaviour, and reducing crime, this partnership is helping create a safer, and more welcoming place for everyone who lives, works and visits the city.

"The strength of the SAIL project comes from having a range of partners based in the city centre, working together to respond to issues in a proactive way. It's not just about enforcement, it's about building trust, supporting young people, preventing crime from happening, and making sure residents and businesses feel heard and supported.

"This is exactly the kind of approach we need to build safer, stronger communities for everyone."

Chief Inspector of Communities, Gemma Calvert, from Northumbria Police said: "It's great to see the continued impact the SAIL partnership has in the local community - it's a testament to the hard work and dedication of our neighbourhood officers and partner agencies.

"As a Force, we have a real focus on tackling anti-social behaviour in Sunderland and these latest figures show clearly the progress that we're making together.

"And while these results are welcoming ones, we know that our work is far from over.

"We'll continue to work alongside each other to have a positive presence in the community, including educating and building trust with young people - doing all we can to divert them from getting involved in crime and anti-social behaviour."

SAIL works closely with the businesses in the city centre and Sunderland Business Improvement District (BID).

Chief Executive of Sunderland BID, Sharon Appleby said: "SAIL is a brilliant project and since its launch has shown excellent results.  It is so important that businesses in the city centre see the issues of ASB and general crime being taken seriously by everyone and it builds confidence in the trading environment.  This is such a key initiative given the transformation journey the city centre is on as we try and attract new businesses to locate here."

The SAIL project builds on the success of the award-winning SARA project in Southwick and HALO project in Hetton which were set up to work with local communities and help build a sense of ownership and pride in the area at the same time as tackling a range of issues including anti-social and criminal behaviour, environmental crime, unemployment and poor mental health.

Residents are encouraged to work together with projects like SAIL and continue reporting ASB. You can report ASB easily online at: Anti-social behaviour - Sunderland City Council. Together we can make Sunderland a safe place for everyone.