Next Debate

Newcastle Debates: Stronger together: How can we build a North East safe for all?

Date and time: Wednesday 16 October 6.00-7.30pm (Doors open at 5.30 pm)

Venue: Curtis Auditorium, Herschel Building, Newcastle University

Newcastle University will host the first in a series of debates inspired by the Government’s five missions.

The new Labour government has committed to halving serious violent crime and raising confidence in the police and criminal justice system. At the same time the country has experienced a summer of significant social unrest.

Here in the North East of England, while there were pockets of racially-motivated violence, we saw an overwhelming response from our local community who came together united in defiance of the few who sought to divide us.

Join us for 'Stronger together: How can we build a North East safe for all?', when our panel of experts will discuss strategies to ensure North East streets are safe for all.

Panellists:

Susan Dungworth, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner
Deputy Chief Constable Jayne Meir, Northumbria Police
Faty Kane, Executive Director, The Angelou Centre
Professor Peter Hopkins, Leverhulme Major Research Fellow and Professor of Social Geography, Newcastle University

The panel will be chaired by Jane Robinson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Engagement and Place, Newcastle University.

Book your place from 1 October

Event Information

Location: Curtis Auditorium, Herschel Building, Newcastle University

Date: Wednesday 16 October 2024

Time: 6.00pm – 7.30pm (Doors open at 5.30pm)

Cost: Free

Who is it for: Anyone with an interest in Newcastle upon Tyne and the North-East.

Q&A: When you register for this event you will have the chance to submit your question for the panel

Twitter: If you would like to tweet about the event please use #NewcastleDebates

Meet the Panellists

	Susan Dungworth, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth has been the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner since May 2024, when she succeeded Kim McGuinness. Susan is a former youth justice worker and community activist. In the 2019 general election, she was the Labour candidate in Blyth Valley and served as the member for Hartley until 2021.
	Deputy Chief Constable Jayne Meir, Northumbria Police Jayne started her policing career with the Metropolitan Police in 1996. During her time there, she was involved in numerous operations. They include supporting the response to the July 7 terrorist attacks in 2005, and coordinating Counter Terrorism policing for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. After 20 years’ service with the Metropolitan Police, Jayne transferred to West Midlands Police in 2016, to become the local policing commander for Wolverhampton. She then became Director of Intelligence in 2018, before being appointed as an Assistant Chief Constable in May 2019. In October 2023, Jayne was appointed Deputy Chief Constable for Northumbria Police. She is responsible for Business Performance and Standards. This includes our departments of Professional Standards, Corporate Development, Force Transformation, Legal, and Communications and Engagement.
	Faty Kane, Executive Director, The Angelou Centre As Executive Director, Faty leads the strategic development of the Angelou Centre, ensuring the delivery of their comprehensive services and specialist support for women from black and racialised minority ethnic groups. As one of the few remaining black-led women's organizations in the North East of England that provides both emergency and transitional accommodation, she actively engages with local and national authorities. Faty’s role includes influencing policies and advocating for culturally appropriate prevention and response strategies for women, children, and young people from racialised minorities who are survivors or at risk of domestic violence and abuse.
	Professor Peter Hopkins, Leverhulme Major Research Fellow and Professor of Social Geography, Newcastle University Professor Hopkins is a leading social geographer with an international reputation for his research on race, religion, gender, and youth. He has played a key role in the development of an international field of research focused on Muslim identities and Islamophobia. He is currently a Leverhulme Major Research Fellow at Newcastle University (Sept 2023 - Sept 2026).
‌	(Chair) Jane Robinson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Engagement and Place, Newcastle University Jane Robinson joined Newcastle University in 2019, having previously been COO at Durham University and CEX of Gateshead Council. She leads the University’s Engagement & Place Strategy, focussing on building partnerships to enhance our contribution socially, economically and culturally.