PCC joins families and road safety campaigners to remember lives lost and devastated by road tragedy

Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen joined grieving families, MPs and road safety leaders for a moving service to remember victims of road tragedies on the region’s roads.

The service, held at Durham Cathedral on Sunday (23 November), marked World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims and saw police officers from the force’s Roads Policing Team and their counterparts in Northumbria and Cleveland coming together with local dignitaries to remember the many who have been killed or seriously injured on the roads.

It also marked the closure of Road Safety Week (16 to 22 November) – an annual campaign dedicated to promoting road safety awareness and advocating for safer roads and responsible driving behaviour.

Led by The Revd Canon Michael Hampel, Vice Dean and Precentor at Durham Cathedral, the service included a performance of Sleep, Dearie, Sleep by bagpipes by Major David Clement QPM from the 101 Regiment of the Tyneside Scottish Association, and readings by Det Con Natalie Horner, KPM Investigator in Durham Constabulary’s Serious Investigation Unit, and Phil Grieve, the PCC’s Victim Care Officer.

The programme for the event included a tribute to the PCC and her office for working with the Cathedral to organise the service.

Durham Constabulary’s Male Voice Choir also performed You Raise Me Up as guests were invited to write down a name, memory or message of reflection for those who have lost their lives on the roads on oak leaf cards which were collected and later offered on the altar as Amazing Grace rang out on the bagpipes.

Following prayers, Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen addressed guests and paid tribute to the courage and strength of the families grieving loved ones.

“While the circumstances that bring us together are tragic, I do know your presence has provided warmth, comfort and solace for those around you,” she said.

“Together, we can hold on to the hope that out of the darkness, change will emerge. Change that will protect others from the same heartbreak that you and your families have endured.”

The PCC, who is National Lead for Roads Policing on behalf of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), said she remained a Commissioner that always put victims first and thanked the victims and families who had shared their experiences during the course of her road safety work to help her understand their journey and make improvements for future victims.

She told guests these insights had paved the way for the appointment of her dedicated Victim Care Officer Phil Grieve who works from within the force’s Road Safety Team to support victims, witnesses and families of serious and fatal collisions at their lowest ebb, helping them to navigate their new reality.

The PCC emphasized that behind every single statistic is a devastated, heartbroken family whose lives will never be the same again, and that her road safety work is always driven from the perspectives of victims.

“I have made it my mission that these victims will not be forgotten. The unbearable toll of human tragedy on our roads simply must serve as a provocation for transformation,” she said.

“I can assure you that I will not give up. I will not miss a single opportunity to save a life or prevent a road injury that is avoidable.

“I will keep on finding new ways of making our decision-makers listen and learn from those who have experienced loss first-hand.

“We owe it to you, and we owe it to all past victims, to create a future where no one is killed or harmed on our roads. Your voices will count.”

The service, attended by the Mayor of Durham, Cllr Gary Hutchinson, and Vice-Chair of Durham County Council, Cllr Jackie Teasdale, concluded with a blessing with guests invited to light candles as they left.

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