Public invited to pose questions to Chief Constable on efforts to tackle violence against women and girls

Police and Crime Commissioner for County Durham and Darlington, Joy Allen, is inviting residents to pose their questions to the Chief Constable as she prepares to host her monthly accountability meeting.

The Commissioner's Public Accountability Meetings are one of the ways the PCC holds the force to account for performance and helps to maintain transparency and build trust with the public.

This month's meeting, due to be held on Thursday 17February, will focus on the issue of violence against women and girls and will summarise the work of the force and the future planned approach to tackle the issue.

Commissioner Allen is encouraging residents to get involved by submitting their questions for the Chief Constable and her senior team ahead of the meeting.

A full recording of the meeting, including questions and answers, will be uploaded on YouTube following the session.

Residents can submit their questions by visiting: https://DurhamPCC.welcomesyourfeedback.net/VAWG

Commissioner Allen is working hard to enhance support for victims of crime and violence to increase their confidence in reporting incidents.She is also backing work led by the force through Project Soteria which brings together leading academics from across the UK with police officers to improve the investigation and response to rape and serious sexual offences including challenging and disrupting repeat offenders.

Commissioner Allen said: "The safety of women and girls is a matter which concerns us all and it is important to me that we are doing everything possible to reduce risk and vulnerability.

"I have pledged in my Police and Crime Plan to tackle abuse, exploitation and violence in all its forms. I aim to develop a violence against women and girls' strategy to steer the partnership work already underway to make women and girls safer. The Safer Streets 3 fund has provided over £450,000 to help tackle violence against women and girls and is a good example of collaborative working across organisations aiming to review the local picture and effectively address the issue. I want to seek innovative solutions to deal with perpetrators and ensure that victims have the necessary access to appropriate timely support. I would like local people to help influence that work.

"One of my top priorities as Commissioner is to listen to what our residents have to say. Your feedback and opinions matter tome and can help me make County Durham and Darlington a safer place for everyone."

The deadline for submitting questions is on Monday the 7th of February.

The meeting is available to view on YouTube here: 17th February 2022 Public Accountability Meeting Violence Against Women and Girls Meeting - YouTube