Your Police. Your Say. Make Your Voice Count.

When people talk to me about policing, they rarely talk in headlines or statistics. They talk about the things that affect their daily lives.

Anti-social behaviour that makes them feel uncomfortable in their own street. Speeding cars and dangerous driving outside schools and villages. Not seeing a police officer when they feel they need one. Noise, nuisance, intimidation, or repeat problems that wear people down over time.

These issues may seem small to some, but for the people living with them they matter deeply. And they should matter to those responsible for setting policing priorities.

As Police and Crime Commissioner for County Durham and Darlington, one of my key responsibilities is to decide how policing is funded and what it focuses on each year. Around 30 per cent of police funding comes from council tax, so local people have a real stake in how that money is used. That is why I a masking residents to have their say.

Policing faces increasing pressures. Officers are dealing with more complex crime, rising anti-social behaviour, violence linked to alcohol and drugs, and the very real dangers caused by speeding, drug driving and careless driving on our roads. At the same time, costs are rising, and resources are stretched.

There are no simple answers, but the right decisions can only be made if they are informed by the people policing exists to serve.

This public consultation is your opportunity to tell us what matters most to you. Whether it is more visible neighbourhood policing, tougher action on anti-social behaviour, greater focus on road safety, or better support for victims - your views will help shape the priorities for the year ahead.

It is also a chance to say what action you want to see taken. Policing is not just about responding when something goes wrong; it is about prevention, visibility and working with communities to stop problems escalating in the first place.

Too often, people feel their concerns are not heard or that decisions are made without understanding local realities. I want to change that. I want policing in County Durham and Darlington to reflect the experiences of people who live and work here - in our towns, villages, and rural communities.

Taking part is quick and straightforward, but it makes a real difference.

The consultation is now open and will close at 5pm on Thursday 15^th January2026.  You can share your views online by visiting:  https://tinyurl.com/495wv9sm/.

This is your chance to shape policing priorities, influence how resources are used, and help ensure that issues like anti-social behaviour, police visibility and dangerous driving are taken seriously.

It is your police, so have your say and help your communities safer, stronger, and more resilient to alcohol and drug related crime and anti-social behaviour.

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