A message from Durham Police and Crime Commissioner... Safer, stronger, more resilient communities – why being prepared matters to us all.

A message from Durham Police and Crime Commissioner... Safer, stronger, more resilient communities – why being prepared matters to us all.

When Storm Arwen battered County Durham in 2021, thousands of households lost electricity, heating and communications. Some communities were left struggling for weeks.

What stood out for me was the extraordinary way local people pulled together. Neighbours checked on neighbours. Volunteers delivered supplies. Community groups supported vulnerable residents, often going above and beyond to help complete strangers.

It reinforced something I have always believed: the greatest strength of our communities is the people who live and work in them. That’s why my vision as Police and Crime Commissioner is to work together to deliver safer, stronger and more resilient communities.

That commitment runs throughout my Police, Crime and Justice Plan. Resilience isn’t simply about preparing for storms, floods or power cuts. It’s about building connected communities where people look out for one another, feel safe and have a genuine say in local decisions.

Recent calls for greater national preparedness remind us that emergencies, extreme weather and disruption to essential services can affect any of us.

The Government’s emergency preparedness advice encourages everyone to take five practical steps: prepare essential supplies; plan for communication failures; protect vulnerable households; know your risks; and look out for others.

These aren’t expensive or complicated measures. Small steps can make a big difference.

That’s why I’m encouraging everyone to join Keep in the Know, our free messaging service. By signing up, you can receive local crime alerts, safety advice and information to help prevent crime, protect yourself and others.

Together we can make communities across County Durham and Darlington safer, stronger and more resilient.