Here we are – at the end of 2017, it’s unbelievable how quick the year has gone by! It’s certainly been a busy year with many demands.
In a couple of weeks time, I will receive Northumbria’s funding settlement from government to provide policing in our region. As you know, our force has seen the government take more than £124 million from our budget since 2010 – any further cuts will have a devastating effect on the services we provide. I have lobbied the Home Secretary to urge her to put a fair funding deal on the table – she cannot expect council tax payers to pick up the cost for what the government should be funding. I have also written to all the regions MPs urging them to support my campaign to urge Amber Rudd to deliver what our region is entitled to – I’ll keep you posted on developments!
Despite all these challenges our police officers and staff continue to go above and beyond what is expected of them, and this has been reinforced through a recent independent report which found Northumbria Police has a positive culture with an excellent understanding of the demand for the services provided
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) carried out its annual assessment and I’m delighted
Northumbria received a ‘Good’ rating overall.
In the three separate areas assessed at as part of the inspection, the force was rated ‘Good’ for understanding its demand, ‘Good’ for how well it uses its demand and ‘Good’ for how well the force is planning for the future.
I will continue to ensure Northumbria Police has an excellent understanding of the demand for our services and improve even further the well-developed processes to uncover demand that is less likely to be reported.
I’m under no illusions that it is our workforce that have enabled Northumbria to achieve this grade, I am immensely proud of all our staff and thank them for all their efforts.
We will continue to invest in the priorities that matter to you and your family, I’m hoping that the funding settlement to be announced will allow me to do so. Neighbourhood policing remains a priority of mine – I have worked closely with the Chief Constable to squeeze every penny out of every pound to ensure we protect it.