Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen is celebrating the achievements of a groundbreaking crime diversion scheme developed in County Durham that improves life chances for offenders.
As the ‘Founding Father’ Durham Constabulary’s DCI Andy Crowe created Checkpoint 10 years ago as an opportunity to reduce reoffending and break the cycle of crime – long before police forces nationally adopted the public health approach to crime.
The voluntary diversionary scheme –which has been implemented by 12 other forces including one in Australia – targets low to moderate level offending at the earliest stage of the criminal justice process and is particularly successful with offenders who have drug issues or who may be at risk of developing problems with drugs in the future.
So far, more than 4,000 individual interventions have been undertaken across the force area in the past 10 years.
Those eligible for the scheme work with Checkpoint navigators to access multiple services within the community including those specialising in health and mental health, drug and alcohol recovery services, community support groups, financial support services and employment support organisations with the ambition of tailoring help to where it is needed most.
Support might include helping someone into drug treatment services to tackle addiction and escorting them to meetings through to supporting someone who suffers with anxiety which is impacting how they engage with the community.
Checkpoint navigators conduct a thorough one-to-one assessment upon referral, helping them to understand why the person has entered the criminal justice system and what services they need to turn their lives around.
Joy Allen said: “I am really proud to see what Checkpoint has achieved over the past decade and the countless lives that have been changed through this scheme.
“Durham Constabulary saw the value in a holistic approach to offending long before it was more widely adopted, recognising that offenders are often victims of circumstance who need specialist support to break harmful cycles of behaviour. Given that much of the crime on our streets is driven by alcohol or drugs, this is a powerful tool for helping offenders confront their problems early, before offending becomes entrenched.
“Checkpoint has stood the test of time and is even more effective and relevant today, providing solutions that are proven to work. Well done everyone who has been involved in its inception and delivery over the past decade.”
To qualify for Checkpoint intervention an offender must be aged over 18, live in the force area and admit the offence or the officer has sufficient evidence to charge. The scheme is open to all, not just first-time offenders, and previous convictions are irrelevant so long as other criteria are met.
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Picture Shows: PCC Joy Allen with DCI Andy Crowe
Background information:
The programme has been recognised at the highest levels and was awarded the 2019 Goldstein Award for problem-solving in policing at a ceremony held in Santa Cruz, California beating competition from around the world.
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