Police will now patrol student areas every night of the week following an increase in funding to Operation Oak by Newcastle’s two universities.

This change comes as a direct consequence of the coronavirus pandemic, with Newcastle University vice chancellor Chris Day stating that the increase in police presence will help to “keep students and residents as safe as possible during these difficult times.”

Police will therefore cover patrols in Jesmond, Sandyford, Heaton and Ouseburn in an attempt to control anti-social behaviour (ASB) and the flouting of lockdown rules.

According to Newcastle University, this will also “help maintain good student-resident relations”. However, comments made by both students and residents suggests very little improvement.

James Knox, an admin of Jesmond Anti-Social Behaviour Group, a Facebook group, has said that changes to Operation Oak have “not made a difference” to ASB, and that student-resident relations are “not even a thing”.

Knox added: “Residents are reaching their limit in terms of anti-social behaviour and this is mostly perpetuated by students.” However, he does agree that for residents, “Operation Oak is a welcome measure, but not as effective as the now defunct council noise team.”

Students are also unimpressed with the changes made to Operation Oak. Naomi Nelson, a student at Newcastle University, has expressed her anger at locals “tarring all students with the same brush.”

“Most students want to have a community in which we can have positive interactions with locals, but it feels as though we are not treated as adults or with the respect we deserve,” she said.

Emily Harrison, a Northumbria University student living on Glenthorn Road, said: ‘‘Police have been patrolling the back alley of my house every night for the past week. I have witnessed them peering over gates and questioning students who are sitting in their back yards. It feels like a complete invasion of my privacy.”

The Jesmond Residents’ Association (JRA) have yet to publicly comment on the changes, though they said in spring 2020: “Despite the additional patrols there doesn’t seem to be an improvement in residents experience of ASB.”

Residents experiencing anti-social behaviour can contact the police through text message on 07504898148. If the noise is being caused by students, contact Newcastle University on 0191 208 3176.