Police and Crime Commissioners are elected to give a strong voice to local residents and victims of crime and to deliver what matters to local people.
I have over 20 years crime and disorder experience to bring to this important role. This includes working for the Army, Fire, Police, Emergency Planning College and local authorities in both County Durham and the Tees Valley where I have managed uniformed and non uniformed staff and community safety partnerships.
However, in serving and representing the whole community, it is important that people speak – and I listen!
I believe that knowing what people see as their crime and community issues gives me a strong mandate to deliver what matters to local people across County Durham and Darlington. Engaging with the community is central to my approach and that is why I opened up the survey on crime and policing.
1,211 people responded and presented a wide range of views. Some were a surprise but most underlined what I either knew or suspected. What was particularly valuable was the hundreds of individual comments people made, highlighting particular areas they would like me to address.
Over the coming weeks I will set out how I intend to address these priorities, but in the meantime I thought I would share some useful information and contact details that relate the identified priorities.
In the run up to the election I will be analysing the details of the survey to help provide a plan to address the issues of most concern to people. This will be so that – if elected – I can hit the ground running and get action moving that will help.
As your PCC I will work with police, partners and the community and voluntary sector to;
The survey results highlighted anti-social behaviour was the top priority and the area residents were most concerned about.
Durham County Council and Darlington Council have dedicated information pages on their websites that address anti-social behaviour, how it can be reported and what action can be taken.
www.darlington.gov.uk/your-council/community-safety-team/civic-enforcement/anti-social-behaviour
However if you need immediate assistance you can call 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Drug use or dealing was residents second highest priority. The survey revealed it’s an issue that is much more in the public eye than many may think. 63% of respondents saw this as a priority.
For advice and support about drug and alcohol services in County Durham and Darlington contact:
www.wearewithyou.org.uk/services/darlington-at-stride
The next three of the top five priorities were: Fly tipping (49.8%), Speeding (49%) and Vandalism (41%).
Environmental crime including fly tipping, litter, dog fouling, dog theft and vandalism, can blight communities and cause alarm and distress. Preventing and prosecuting environmental crimes can be challenging because of difficulties in detection, law enforcement and prosecution but we have seen the positive impact WhatsApp and Facebook pages have made in identifying perpetrators which has enabled the police and local authority officers to pursue offenders and take enforcement action.
Recently we have seen the increased Facebooks posts highlighting dogs that have been stolen locally, regionally and nationally and also the communities amazing response helping to return these dogs to their owners.
As your Police and Crime Commissioner I will promote, encourage and support residents to report issues, share local intelligence and involve them in crime prevention activities in their area.
The survey highlighted that many found reporting crime was not easy and this needs to be addressed. As your Police and Crime Commissioner, I will take steps to make it easier for the public to make contact with the police and give residents the confidence to report crime and share intelligence so we can pursue those responsible for crime and disorder.
Environmental Crime
Durham Neighbourhood Wardens
Wardens have the powers to issue fixed penalty notices for environmental crimes, where appropriate, for a range of issues:
- Litter
- Flytipping and failing to clear waste dumped on privately owned land
- Dog fouling
- Abandoned vehicles
- Graffiti
- Flyposting
- Allowing a dog to stray
- Allowing dogs into designated fenced off play areas where dogs are not permitted
- Failing to put a dog on a lead when asked by an authorised officer
- Illegal business waste storage, transporting, treatment and disposal
- Illegal household waste storage, transporting, treatment and disposal
- Discarding chewing gum causing environmental concern
- Abandoned shopping trolleys
Call:
Durham County Council 03000 261 000
Darlington Civic Enforcement Team
The team utilise powers devolved from the police and are concentrating their efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour, fly tipping, littering, dog fouling and parking issues.
https://www.darlington.gov.uk/your-council/community-safety-team/civic-enforcement/
Call
Darlington Council 01325 405 111
Clean and Green issues
Durham County Council has recently introduced Fix and Find Service to work with community groups and councillors to take a pro-active approach to Clean and Green issues around the county.
Find and fix focuses on areas which require multiple tasks to be undertaken in order to being the public space back into good order and can include but not exclusive cutting back vegetation, repair/replace street furniture, painting street furniture (benches) graffiti removal, removal of fly-tipping, removal, replacement and installation of dog bins.
Call:
Durham County Council 03000 261 000
Speeding
If you are concerned about an existing traffic calming scheme or dangerous road junction you can register your concern online at:
If there is immediate or imminent danger to a pedestrian or road user.
Call:
Durham County Council 03000 261 000
If you are concerned about speed of traffic this should be directed towards Durham Constabulary
Call:
Durham Police 101 to find out when your next pact meeting is or to raise your concerns about speeding in the area.
