An Update from Durham Police and Crime Commissioner...
BRIEFING 04
Knife Angel’s visit offers a message of remembrance and warning
The long-awaited arrival of the Knife Angel to Newton Aycliffe kick-started a month-long programme of education and awareness activity warning of the consequences of carrying knives.
The national monument, created by artist Alfie Bradley from the British Ironwork Centre and made using 100,000 blunted blades, became a focal point for positive engagement between young people, the Police and our communities throughout June, providing a platform for parents and caregivers to initiate difficult conversations about street violence and illuminating the enormity of the challenge we face as a society to eradicate its harm..
Climate change top of the agenda in Decarbonisation Summit
I recently joined criminal justice experts, emergency services partners and academics for the County Durham Decarbonisation Partnership Summit as part of a joint push for stronger local action to address climate change.
With 2015-2024 officially the warmest decade on record, the event examined the implications of increased storm severity and extreme weather events on local infrastructure and services, and how we as partners can work together to mitigate these risks within the boundaries of limited funding
Haulage firm shares poignant ‘Life is Precious’ message across the UK
A striking trailer wrap, courtesy of Katem Logistics Ltd, has been unveiled as part of a road safety campaign I am backing, highlighting the fatal consequences of the ‘Fatal Four’ driving offences- mobile phone use, seatbelts, drink/drug driving and speeding.
The Durham-based firm has offered its full support to the Life is Precious campaign, founded by Mari Johnson following the death of her mother, Elaine Sullivan, and stepfather, David Daglish, from Seaham, on the A1 (M) in 2021 after a lorry driver ploughed into their vehicle.
Durham nets extra £1m for serious violence and ASB ‘hotspot’ patrols
At least 900,000 hours of extra patrols by Police, PCSOs and other uniformed safety officers and volunteers will be delivered across the force area over the next 12 months as part of efforts to eradicate serious violence, knife crime and ASB from our communities.
My office secured an extra £1m from the Home Office to step up visible patrols in locations which have the highest prevalence of knife crime, serious violence and ASB to deter crime and ensure communities feel confident and safer. This boost will be warmly welcomed by residents, 25% of which placed policing visibility as a top priority in my recent consultation.
Fighting for safety changes to protect young people on our roads
In both my national role, I jointly chaired a pivotal road safety webinar calling for urgent measures to protect more young drivers and passengers on our roads.
As Joint Portfolio Lead for Roads Policing on behalf of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), I joined my APCC colleague, Warwickshire PCC Philip Seccombe, for the online event, which drew an international panel of experts and policymakers including representatives from Young Drivers of Canada who shared insights from their success reducing young driver casualties.
Protecting retailers and shopworkers from crime and ASB
I can proudly report a significant drop in ASB and shoplifting incidents in Darlington following the introduction of new CCTV security pods funded by my office.
Darlington Neighbourhood Policing Team recently trialled the pods, designed and manufactured by Safer Group, in three key retail locations of the town which were being repeatedly targeted with ASB and shoplifting. During the six-week pilot, incidents fell from 21 to just one, saving Durham Constabulary nearly £20k and bringing immeasurable reassurance to local retailers.
Time to Act: Reducing Alcohol Harm, Saving Lives and Cutting Crime
On the 8th July I attended the launch of the latest report from the House of Commons All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) Drugs, Alcohol and Justice.
Alcohol places huge pressure on police, NHS staff, ambulance crews, and our communities. It is a factor in up to 40% of police incidents, a third of ambulance callouts and contributes to 39% of violent crime in England. Balance North East estimate that alcohol is costing the North East £1.5 billion a year.
That’s why I strongly support the APPG’s call for a long-overdue national alcohol strategy and have already called for this in my Police, Crime and Justice Plan. The time to act is now.
The Hidden Dangers of Ketamine Use: A drug on the rise.
I urge parents to share the hidden dangers of ketamine use in the hopes to stop another family going through the experiences of one heart-broken mother from our region, who approached me to ask if I could share her story. Her and her son’s lives have both been irrevocably changed as a result of him taking drugs.
Nearly 300,000 people used ketamine last year – the highest number ever recorded. Ketamine is a powerful anaesthetic with hallucinogenic effects. But its long-term damage is often misunderstood. Every conversation we have, every warning we share, every young person we reach could save a life.
I was delighted to be invited to open this years conference at Durham University, celebrating 20 years of the PORSCH Network. This involved a group of incredible researchers and practitioners across the North East and Yorkshire who are working to improve offender health, reduce reoffending, and build safer, healthier communities.
As Durham Police and Crime Commissioner, I know just how important this work is.
Many people in our justice system are struggling with addiction, mental health issues or trauma. By understanding the root causes of offending, and acting on the evidence, we can break the cycle and change lives for the better.
A huge thank you to everyone involved in PORSCH for your dedication and impact over the past two decades. Here’s to the next 20 years of progress!
Congratulations Victims’ Champions,
Michael and Andrea!
Commissioner Allen and Deputy PCC Graham Hall awarded Victims' Champion, Michael Banks, and ASB Champion, Andrea Patterson, with Certificates of Recognition for all of their hand work for victims across County Durham and Darlington.
Michael and Andrea are proud to work with our communities to support victims of crime and get them the help and support they need to be able to deal with the impact of crime.
One of Durham Constabulary’s firearms officers has been nominated for a National Police Bravery Award.
Responding to a high-risk domestic incident, Officer A was attacked with a machete while trying to rescue a victim held hostage by a violent and armed offender. Despite being seriously injured, he carried on, putting the victim’s safety first and helping to detain the suspect.
His actions were nothing short of heroic.
I’m proud to support his nomination and to recognise the courage, professionalism, and selflessness shown by officers like him every day.
