Residents and businesses are being invited to share their feedback on a new policing blueprint to improve public safety and reduce harm over the next four years.
Following extensive consultation with local people online and face-to-face at public events, Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen is finalising her Police, Crime and Justice Plan 2024-29 and is giving the public a final chance to have their say on her ambitions for a safer County Durham and Darlington.
The public put their trust in Joy Allen once again last May, electing her as their Police and Crime Commissioner with an overwhelming majority after she had successfully delivered on her first plan.
The Commissioner has always emphasised how important it is for local people to determine the direction of policing and crime prevention over the next four years.
In addition to a countywide survey on her Plan and engaging with the public at events, she hosted an online poll asking residents for their views on the precept – the amount of money they pay towards policing through their council tax. The results are important for helping the Commissioner to make budget decisions for the first year of the Plan and beyond.
The Commissioner has stressed that investment is crucial for sustaining visible and effective policing and for funding the improvements in her Plan that the public have called for.
There was strong backing for an increase, with 60% saying they would support an extra £15 per year or more (for a Band D property).
Joy Allen has vowed to tackle the issues that blight people’s lives and cause them most concern, has responded to their views. She is focusing on issues such as drug dealing, drink/drug driving and road safety, knife crime, child sexual exploitation and anti-social behaviour, particularly the nuisance of off-road bikes and e-scooters, that featured highly in the responses to consultation.
Her Plan puts victims of crime at the front and centre of her work, with a drive for swift and effective justice and improved support services. This is strengthened by a crime prevention push designed to bring partners together to curtail crime and bring those responsible to justice.
Joy Allen said: “Victims, residents and businesses have been consulted at every stage of the development of my Plan and the resulting draft focuses on the issues that local people have frequently identified as increasing their fear of crime and detrimentally impacting their quality of life.
“I am determined to make a difference and invest in solutions that will have a meaningful consequence on their lives. Of course, this must mean holding more offenders accountable for their actions but what is clear is that enforcement by itself will not be enough. This is why I will prioritise getting people the help they need at the earliest opportunity so we can eradicate the motives for crime and stop victims suffering unnecessarily.
“While this Plan already aligns with the expectations and needs of the public, I would welcome further comment before publication. As Commissioner, I am here to represent the voice of the public and fulfilling my responsibilities of listening and acting on their concerns will remain top of my agenda.”
People can access the survey, which will close on 13 February 2025 at 5pm, here.
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