PCC unveils new safety blueprint putting victims of crime at the heart of criminal justice

Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen’s new Police, Crime and Justice Plan, setting out ambitious action to make County Durham and Darlington safer, stronger and more resilient to drug and alcohol related crime and anti-social behaviour will be implemented from 1 April.

The County Durham and Darlington PCC has considered the views of thousands of residents and businesses across the county in drawing up a new four-year blueprint that promises to get tough on the issues that bring misery to local people’s lives.

Vowing to keep victims of crime front and centre of her safety work, the Commissioner insists her new Plan – which starts today - will deliver a first-class service to victims of crime including faster justice, higher-quality care and support and improved police contact to build their trust and confidence.

It will also deliver robust action where the public want it most and help people to solve the issues that harm their lives and can manifest in offending if left unchallenged.
A Youth Plan is also in development by the Commissioner’s office and will be unveiled at a later stage.

Building on the emphatic success of her first term, the PCC focuses on six overarching themes: Victims, Safer People Safer Places, Safer Neighbourhoods, Safer Countryside, Safer Roads and Delivering a fair, transparent and timely local criminal justice system.  

Priorities such as Alcohol and Drugs, Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), Addiction including gambling dependency, Neighbourhood Policing and Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) take centre stage with the PCC pledging to work with partners at every opportunity to identify and protect those who are less able to protect themselves.

Her growing national roles will also bring additional strength to her local work to secure improvements and legislative reform that will enhance the journey of victims of crime through the criminal justice system and help bring more offenders to justice.

The Commissioner insists her approach will be dynamic and will draw upon the latest technologies and facilities – aided by the opening of the groundbreaking Durham Investigative Hub.

Joy Allen said: “This Plan has been driven by the people I’m elected to serve. The public’s priorities are my priorities, and I’m determined to deliver what they want.

“I am proud of the officers we’ve put back on our streets and I’m fighting to bring more. Visible and accessible neighbourhood policing is non-negotiable – 25% of residents who responded to the PCCs consultation in Durham and Darlington placed visibility as their top priority and I too believe that every neighbourhood deserves dedicated officers who know their patch, understand residents’ concerns and can tackle problems before they escalate.

“But we also need to understand why people turn to crime in the first place so we can eradicate the motives and prevent the ‘revolving door’ of crime. I am working with national leaders to reform the way we prevent and treat alcohol and drug addiction to lessen its impact on our communities and this will ensure Durham remains at the forefront of these changes.

“Road safety will remain a key area of focus, particularly speeding and drug/drink driving. Alongside stronger enforcement and education, I will continue to push for tougher legislation to deny dangerous drivers use of our roads to support the work officers undertake to combat serious and organised crime activities including drugs and county lines.

“There is already fantastic local work underway to improve the experience of victims of crime through the criminal justice system and through my Plan, this will continue. I have made it clear that victims of crime must be recognised, valued and active participants within our justice processes, and over the coming four years I will continue to put victims of crime at the centre of my work and ensure together we listen and learn from their voice.

“I want to see Durham Constabulary recognised as the best in the country at preventing crime and ASB. Through this Plan, I am seeking significant reductions in offending and reoffending, and more offenders brought to justice. The foundations have been laid, and I am confident we will continue to push the boundaries of success ever further in our favour.”

Durham Constabulary is already recognised as a pathfinder in several policing areas and the PCC has relentlessly campaigned for more funding to keep the force on a level playing field with other forces.

The PCC said she would continue to work with national decision makers in her role as Association of Police and Crime Commissioners’ (APCC) Joint Finance Lead to press for an overhaul of the current funding formula and to secure additional investment to take account of Durham’s unique socio-economic position and its higher demand pressures.

The Plan has previously been given the nod of approval by the Police and Crime Panel and is available to download here: https://bit.ly/DurhamPCP25-29.

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