Tag: durham police

Durham PCC Calls For Local Opinion Over Crime Prevention

By on 2nd February 2016in Have Your Say

The Institute of Directors in the North East is bringing together all three of the region’s Police and Crime Commissioners, to allow the region’s business community to actively participate in the debate on crime prevention and enforcement…

The event, which is open to all business people, will be held in the Durham Centre at Belmont Business Park between 4pm and 7pm on Thursday 25th February. It will include talks by the region’s three PCCs; Vera Baird QC, Ron Hogg, and Barry Coppinger, alongside experts on cyber security, human trafficking, and slavery. The three PCCs will also lead seminars to hear the views of business people from their respective areas.

David Cliff, Vice-Chairman of the IoD in the North East, who is completing a four year study into Police and Crime Commissioners, said: “Businesses in the North East are rightly concerned about crime. On average, one in three are affected by economic crime each year. On top of age old concerns about the security of their premises and employees, there are modern issues like cyber-crime, which costs the UK £27 billion a year, and workplace bullying.

“Good policing provides a stable environment for our businesses to operate in, and is at the heard of cohesive communities, so getting our PCCs and business leaders together is a positive thing for the North East as it can boost both our security and prosperity.

“Ron Hogg, Police and Crime Commissioner for County Durham and Darlington, said: “It is really important that businesses tell us what their priorities are for reducing and preventing crime. The nature of crime is changing, and this will be an excellent opportunity to plan together how to address it. I hope as many business people as possible are able to attend.”

To book tickets for the event, which cost £10 plus VAT and are free to IoD members and their guests, email Sukie Ranken on iod.northeast@iod.com.

Durham Police Request Residents’ Views Over Funding

By on 11th January 2016in Have Your Say

Residents have the opportunity to give their views on the police budget for 2016-17, thanks to a public consultation launched this week…

Between 11th and 27th January, members of the public can have their say in the annual consultation, either online or at a number of public events across County Durham and Darlington.

The Police and Crime Commissioner for County Durham and Darlington, Ron Hogg, proposes an increase of 1.98% to the amount of Council Tax which goes to the police service. This increase equates to just £3.22 over the year, or 6p a week for the average house in Band D.

Ron said: “As PCC I am responsible for setting the police budget. In the recent Comprehensive Spending Review, the Government indicated that it expects PCCs to increase the precept by up to 2 per cent when setting their budget for 2016-17.

“They also stated, as a result, the overall national policing budget will be protected in line with inflation. However, the amount of funding coming to local policing from Government is still reducing year on year.

“The total provisional grant received by Durham in 2016-17 will be £457,127 less than in 2015-16. The small increase I am proposing will raise approximately £520,000 and help to keep the equivalent of eleven Police Officers on the street.

“I am committed to ensuring that the police have the resources they need to continue to provide an excellent service to the public. The survey is short and will only take a minute or two to complete. I encourage residents to get involved and let me know their views.”

The survey and details of the public events are available on Ron’s website, www.durham-pcc.gov.uk, and are available on Facebook or Twitter. You can also give your views by telephone at 03000 264 631.

Police And Fire Services Agree Landmark Deal To Work Together

By on 12th December 2015in Local Biz

A landmark deal has been signed by Durham Constabulary and County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service…

The “Statement of Intent” sets out the two organisations’ intentions to work more closely together and to enhance co-operation and collaboration.

They hope this will further improve the already excellent service they provide to the public, as well as saving them money.

Police and Fire already work well together operationally, and share estates and facilities such as a joint station at Newton Aycliffe and training centre at Bowburn.

But this deal marks a step change in how they will work together.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Ron Hogg, said: “The people of County Durham and Darlington already benefit from having outstanding Police and Fire and Rescue Services.

“I believe there is great potential for closer collaboration to improve services even further, and to help us manage through the tough financial times that are ahead. I am committed to making swift progress with the Fire and Rescue Authority so that we can achieve improvements and savings quickly, for all our benefit.”

Chair of the County Durham and Darlington Combined Fire Authority, Councillor Michele Hodgson, said: “We already have a very constructive relationship between the fire and rescue service and police in this area. Providing an efficient and effective emergency response for the communities of County Durham and Darlington is our number one priority; any proposals that aim to help us do this must be carefully considered.”

 

Stuart Errington, Chief Fire Officer for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We welcome this opportunity to explore all of the options for collaboration. There is a strong base to build on as we already have strong relationships, and work very closely with the police operationally, in training, on special projects and by sharing facilities and expertise. We will consider any proposals which will safeguard frontline services and, when and where appropriate, support further collaboration.”

Chief Constable of Durham Constabulary, Mike Barton, said: “Stuart Errington and I have worked closely together for several years. This puts our working together on a more formal footing, and will allow us to improve the service we provide to the public.”

Councillor Joy Allen, Chair of the Police and Crime Panel, said: “Partnership working between emergency services is second to none in the region. This statement of intent formally cements these productive and professional relationships, which will deliver tangible benefits to both services, and more importantly help protect valuable front line services.”

Areas on which the services will look to collaborate include estates and assets, control room, safety initiatives, training, back office functions, and community engagement.

Click here to view the Statement of Intent.

Durham Police And Crime Commissioner Slams Government Funding Error

By on 9th November 2015in Local Biz, What's New?

 

Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg has slammed the Government for miscalculating how much money Durham is likely to receive to Police County Durham and Darlington from next year. At present Durham Constabulary receive £80m from the Government for policing services.

The Government have recently announced a review to the way funding is distributed across all Police Forces.

The latest information, which was received Friday 6th November, shows that Durham would only receive £70m per year in future years. This represents a reduction of £10m per year, which is 12.5%. This does not include any additional funding reductions as a result of this month’s comprehensive spending review.

Mr Hogg said: “I am both angry and bewildered as to how the Government can say that we can police County Durham and Darlington with £10m less to spend each year. I have written to the Government in the strongest terms stating that they should abandon this whole process and leave the current funding formula alone as it is causing too much instability, not only for Durham but also for other Forces.

“Durham is the highest performing Police Force in the Country and this is what the public expect, however continuation of this is dependent upon the Government taking a sensible view as to the level of funding we need.  Currently the Government’s view totally lacks this common sense approach.”

Click here to read Ron Hogg’s letter.

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