Vera Baird DBE KC

Chair Criminal Cases Review Commission. Member Women’s Justice Bd.
Ex Victims’ Commissioner, Solicitor Gen & PCC. Fellow St Hilda’s Oxford. Writer. Labour Party

Author: VBoffice

  • Christmas Message from Vera Baird QC

    Christmas is an opportunity when most people get to spend time with their families and friends, we get to enjoy ourselves, reminisce about what has happened over the year and enjoy a mince pie or two! Sadly, criminals don’t take time off, that is why Northumbria Police has been sending known burglars Christmas cards – letting them know, we know where they are and what they are up to. Police officers and staff along with other emergency service staff will be working across the festive period and I am very grateful to them, as their efforts allow us to enjoy time with our families knowing that they are working to keep our communities safe.
    When you are out and about over the festive season and you see your local bobby on the beat – wish them a Merry Christmas, they’ll appreciate it.
    2015 has flown by, we have had many challenges but despite them all the Chief Constable and I have ensured that we have protected neighbourhood policing as I know this is a service you value. We have re-located police bases in to the heart of the community – right across Northumbria, making your police officers more accessible. We have continued to deliver for victims of crime, with satisfaction levels at 92%, this reinforces that we put victims of crime at the heart of everything we do. As Police & Crime Commissioner, I will start the new year looking at all budgets to see how we can absorb the cost of further cuts to our police budget – we can talk about that in a few weeks time.
    As I sign off, thank you for your continued support. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for a neighbour who may be on their own. Keep warm, secure and stay in touch.
    Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2016

    Vera

    Vera Baird QC

  • Remarkable U-turn forced on government by PCCs.

    Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird, commenting on today’s Spending Review in which the Chancellor agreed to protect police funding in real terms over the next four years said:

    “This is a remarkable u turn. Only a few days ago sources close to the Chancellor showed him determined to cut policing by up to 25% again, giving rise to fear that we would lose much of the neighbourhood policing our public values so highly.

    “A concerted campaign by police and by Police and Crime Commissioners of both major political parties, heavily supported by the public has made George Osborne quickly come to terms with the post-Paris reality. It would have been the height of irresponsibility to slash funding causing the loss of thousands more police, on top of the 17000 already lost nationwide at a time when the French are increasing their force by 5000 officers. More police not less are needed if we are to prevent and, if the unthinkable happens, to cope with the kind of scattered but co-ordinated attacks we saw in Paris and Mali in the last two weeks

    “As ever the devil is in the detail. A letter from the Home Secretary this afternoon says that there will actually be a small cut of 1.3% over four years. It also indicates no funding to pay for the increase in cash for counter-terrorism announced, nor for the pledged enhancement to mobile communications, nor to fund collaborative back office savings. That suggests that these funds will be sliced off the top of our cash once it has been received. This could well mean less cash for local policing after all.

    “We will know Northumbria’s share of this funding in December. We really deserve a larger share than we currently receive. Following the government’s failure to complete a new funding allocation formula, our next challenge will be to make sure that we get that extra share and not the reduction of £16M which their latest proposal – now abandoned – would have led to.

    “Meanwhile it is good that Osborne has listened and while there are still cuts to be made from the last budget reductions, Northumbria Police will be sufficiently funded to continue the excellent job it does to protect the public.”

  • WINNER – Living Wage Leadership Award 2015

    Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird, has been chosen as the winner of the Living Wage Leadership Award 2015 for the North East region.

    The Living Wage Foundation organise these awards to recognise the life changing impact individuals have made by leading the way on the Living Wage Campaign within communities.

    The awards are part of Living Wage Week 2015, a national celebration of responsible pay for everybody, running from 1st – 7th November.

    Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird, said: “In the current economic climate it is imperative that we do everything we can to help lower paid workers as they face rising living costs. That is why I made it one of my commitments when elected to ensure we pay the Living Wage and we achieved this by bringing the cleaning contract back “in house” so we could pay them the Living Wage.

    “I have always been a strong advocate of the Living Wage and will continue to be, I’m proud to be a champion of this initiative and I am delighted to receive this award.”

    The Living Wage Foundation wants to celebrate the huge and diverse group of people who support the Living Wage Campaign.

    Beth Farhat, Regional Secretary for the Northern TUC said: “Congratulations to Vera and well deserved too, one of Vera’s first commitments as police and crime commissioner was make sure that the lowest paid in her workforce received the living wage, making a real difference to the quality and wellbeing of peoples lives.  Thank you very much for championing the Living Wage.”

    Living Wage Foundation Acting Director, Sarah Vero, said: “Congratulations to Vera on being named the Leadership Award winner for the North East region. The voices of people are at the heart of our organisation, and it is wonderful to have Vera leading the way in her region. We want to celebrate the individuals making a real difference to families and communities across the UK. Thank you very much for celebrating the Living Wage.”

    The Living Wage is an hourly rate set independently and updated annually. The Living Wage is calculated according to the basic cost of living using the ‘Minimum Income Standard’ for the UK. Decisions about what to include in this standard are set by the public; it is a social consensus about what people need to make ends meet.

    Vera Baird QC – Living Wage Leadership Award Winner 2015.

    Employers choose to pay the Living Wage on a voluntary basis. The Living Wage enjoys cross party support.

    One Leadership Award winner has been named in each region of the UK: Scotland; Wales; Northern Ireland; the East Midlands; the West Midlands; the East of England; Yorkshire and the Humber; North East England; North West England; South East England; South West England; and London.

    The awards judged by an independent panel of community leaders from Citizens UK, national community organising charity and home of the Living Wage campaign.

  • ‘Surrender your Knife’

    Three regional Forces are joining together to raise awareness of the dangers of knife-related crime and ensure we all stay safe.

    Northumbria, Cleveland, and Durham Police are working with the ‘Surrender a knife’ organisation to encourage the surrender of knives which may otherwise be used in crime throughout the next two weeks.

    The British Ironwork Centre is also supporting the campaign by providing secure knife bins across the country which can be used by anyone to deposit knives or other bladed/pointed weapons.

    Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird, said: “While we are fortunate that we don’t have the same knife problem here in Northumbria as in some areas of the country; one knife carried is one knife too many.

    “That’s why we’re coming together as a region to support this national campaign and demonstrate our commitment to public safety.

    “In the wrong hands a knife can be a deadly weapon and this initiative will let people who want to dispose of a knife do so safely.

    “It’s great to be joining up with my fellow commissioners to take a proactive approach to keep knives off our streets and our region safe.”

    Detective Chief Inspector Helena Barron understands there isn’t a knife crime culture or issue within Northumbria but believes raising awareness is critical to keeping knife crime to a minimum.

    DCI Barron said: “We continue to use a combination of education, prevention and enforcement to ensure that knife crime in the force remains low.

    “As well as taking tough enforcement action we’re carrying out reassurance work in the community. We will continue to visit schools, retailers and other partners to educate people about knife crime and, over the next few weeks, we will be taking the opportunity to highlight some of this valuable work.

    “I’d like to reiterate that we don’t have the same scale of problem as other parts of the country, but we know there are public concerns and this initiative is primarily about addressing those concerns.

    “People who carry knives are just as much at risk of harming themselves as well as others, and they are also at risk of being arrested, charged to court, and possibly sent to prison.

    “As part of the campaign we will be providing disposal bins in stations for members of the public to come along and voluntarily dispose of any knives they may be in possession of.”

    There will be bins allocated to the following police stations in Northumbria:

    Central

    Forth Banks

    Gateshead

    Northern

    Middle Engine Lane

    Hexham

    Bedlington

    Southern

    Millbank

    Southwick

    Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland, Barry Coppinger said:  “We are proud to support this national initiative which will help to raise awareness about the damage and destruction that knives can cause. Over the next two weeks members of the public will have the opportunity to surrender knives safely and anonymously.   Removing knives from our streets will help protect our communities and provide a safer environment for the whole area.

    Ron Hogg, Durham’s Police and Crime Commissioner, is supporting the amnesty. He said: “This is an ideal opportunity for residents who have unwanted knives in their household, to dispose of them in a safe and responsible way. I encourage residents to use the knife bins during the amnesty, available at various police stations across County Durham and Darlington.”

  • Challenges Facing Policing.

    When the House of Commons returns, one of the first jobs MPs will have to do is to respond to George Osborne’s proposed cuts of up to 40% to government departments. If the Home Office is faced with a 40% cut to its budget, it will have devastating effects on how we police Northumbria. Be under no illusion, the decisions taken by the Chancellor will impact on how we police. Since 2010, the Tories have removed nearly £120 million from the Police budget, this has resulted in 16% fewer police officers than in 2010 and 25% less police staff.

    Policing is more than just catching criminals – Theresa May seems to think because crime is falling, it is perfectly acceptable to cut police budgets. WRONG! Here in our region, on a typical day officers deal with over 200 Anti-Social Behaviour incidences and 81 cases of domestic abuse, police officers are call to respond to approximately 26 incidences involving people with mental health issues, 40 road traffic collisions, helping find over 20 missing people and dealing with over 42 stop and searches. All of these examples are more than catching criminals – they are jobs that our police staff do day in day out, sadly the Home Office don’t appreciate these important tasks and continue to focus on one part of the many duties of a police officer.

    There are nearly 1.5 million residents in the Northumbria force area. I work closely with the Chief Constable, Steve Ashman, to ensure we get it right. Despite the financial difficulties, police officers and staff continue to go the extra mile to serve local communities. There efforts are recognised by residents as overall satisfaction remains high, and the force is placed first nationally for ease of contact (98.8%), follow up (88.8%) and over service is (92.2%). If we get it wrong, we now have a dedicated triage team who can help deal with any issues that are raised within a matter of a few hours. We really do keep the public at the heart of everything we do.

    The priorities in the Police & Crime Plan are just as important now, as they were when you helped shaped them at the beginning of 2013. Northumbria Police have worked hard to address them. HMIC acknowledged that how Northumbria Police deal with Anti-Social Behaviour is outstanding. The force works closely with partners to tackle issues head on and ensure that all vulnerable victims receive extra support. Initiatives such as working in partnership with housing providers to tackle youth ASB has paid dividends. Anti-Social Behaviour remains high on our agenda and will continue to do so. I want all crimes to be reported, if you are experiencing Anti-Social Behaviour – REPORT IT. If the police know about it, they will tackle it.

    Our work in addressing Violence Against Women and Girls continues to go from strength to strength. Domestic and sexual abuse happens mostly behind closed doors meaning that it is something of a hidden crime. Therefore it’s vitally important to raise awareness of what domestic abuse is, what help and support is available for those suffering from it, and making it easier for victims to contact someone to get help. We are delivering this with partners and will continue to do so.

    Due to financial pressures on the force, I have had to look at ensuring our police bases offer excellent value for money, whilst being in convenient locations and accessible. The new police base in the White Swan Centre, Killingworth, is an excellent example of this. We have brought the police to the heart of the community and the neighbourhood teams maintain the excellent relationships they have built up with residents. I continue to look for savings right across the board, you may have seen a recent report by the Taxpayers Alliance, that my office has made the biggest cost savings (compared to the cost of the former police authority) out of all Police & Crime Commissioners – to date, in excess of £3 million has been saved, just from my office costs alone.

    I can assure you that I will continue to work with all partners to ensure Northumbria receives the best deal possible. It’s a tough challenge – but I’m determined that the priorities you set in the police and crime plan are delivered and exceeded.

  • Trade Union Bill.

    Trade Union Bill
    18th September 2015

    A few days ago, Parliament debated the Trade Union Bill. I expressed my grave reservations that the Bill gives the regulator (the certification officer) powers to impose fines on unions of up to £20,000 and would involve the police in dealing with union requests.

    As the government continue to cut the budgets of police services across England and Wales, they are pushing ahead and consulting on ludicrous plans contained within the Trade Union Bill. I want local police officers out on the streets of Northumbria doing what they do best – protecting and supporting our communities, not arresting someone because unions haven’t given two weeks’ notice if they intend to use a loudspeaker or carry a banner during a strike

    The world of Twitter, Facebook and blogs is to allow people to express their opinions freely, as long as the comments are not defamatory, why do the police need to know what unions are planning to post on social media during a strike two weeks in advance is a waste of police time

    Since 2010, Northumbria Police force budget has been reduced by nearly £120 million, yet the demand of police officers and support staff continue to grow. It is expected that the Chancellor will announce even further cuts to the force budget in a few weeks’ time.

    The Prime Minister and Home Secretary need to get real. Attacking civil liberties and creating more unnecessary work for the police is not needed. MPs need to vote this bill down when it reaches the House of Commons for its second reading. Police Officers here in Northumbria have better things to do than use valuable time and resources to supervise peaceful pickets and social media.

  • Commissioner Baird speaks out on helping victims of domestic abuse

    Domestic abuse is not usually a one-off violent attack. More often it is a deliberate long-term use of coercion to control every part of someone’s life, It can be sexual abuse, financial control, constant criticism, isolation from family and friends, repeated threatening texts or stalking whenever the victim is out of sight – all are familiar tools adopted by the abuser. It undermines the victims confidence and freedom and it can leave long-term scars.

    Despite people knowing more about it these days, according to research by the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), 84 per cent of people surveyed do not feel able to help when they know someone is suffering from domestic abuse.

    The research also reveals that 31 per cent of British adults questioned knew a victim – maybe you do.

    While the CAB’s ‘Link in the chain’ report is right in acknowledging the role friends and family play in recognising that someone is suffering behind closed doors, the responsibility to help doesn’t just fall on those who are personally close to the victim, after all, they may be personally close to the perpetrator too.

    For this reason, we have looked for places, away from the family and home, where it might be possible to make help more available and have realised that the workplace is somewhere that many victims of abuse can see as a safe haven. On average we spend a third of our lives at work, there is therefore a huge opportunity for colleagues to pick up on the signs during what for many victims are the hours of respite from their suffering and where people might feel secure enough to talk to a friend or a colleague or ask for help.

    In Northumbria we have developed a draft workplace employers’ policy has been set up, ready off the shelf, which has been adopted by many organisations. It sends out clear signs that they will help any employee who is suffering from abuse and that they have all practical steps to support employees firmly in place.

    As part of this, we introduced the concept of a network of Domestic Violence Champions within each workplace, large or small. These champions, who are workplace colleagues, are there for men and women to confide in, or share concerns about others who they think may be suffering from domestic abuse. The champion, who receives full training, can then offer advice on the support available both within the organisation and from partner agencies. They are not expected to solve the problem themselves but calmly give ‘first aid’ and help to refer them on to skilled help. So far over 600 champions have been trained.

    One champion arranged with their employer for a victim’s calls to be screened, emails to be blocked and photos of the abuser left with reception so he could be recognised and appropriate steps taken. Someone now a successful businesswoman tells how her employer got to know of her plight with a determined abuser and secretly arranged to relocate her to a distant branch of the business; she regards this as likely to have saved her life. And every time a champion is trained it is another person raising public awareness of what this abuse is like.

    We can provide free training to raise awareness of domestic abuse and the impact it can have on individuals to employers and employees. Those who take this up have already seen results like the ones I have mentioned. Do join our efforts; this is everyone’s business and a little knowledge and support can make all the difference to the life of a victim who thought they were friendless.

  • Male Victims of Domestic Violence Supported by Commissioner Funding

    More male victims of domestic abuse will receive help and support following funding from Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird.

    Commissioner Baird has awarded £2,000 to Community Counselling Cooperative from her Supporting Victims Fund – a fund set up and made available to organisations that have the aim of helping victims cope and recover from their experience of crime.

    The not for profit organisation understands there’s a need for therapeutic support for male victims of domestic abuse. With this in mind, it wants to provide further support by seeing more male victims both for one to one therapeutic work as well as peer support groups.

    Community Counselling Cooperative also wants to increase awareness that men can also be victims of domestic abuse and that they too require support and advice which isn’t readily available in the area.

    The work carried out by the group so far has found male victims who have been physically beaten and financially abused as well as emotionally and psychologically targeted.

    It aims to provide emotional and psychological support to victims and information to give them options and choices; support victims through the criminal justice system and ensure they have an exit strategy at the end of the project.

    They hope to provide support to as many male victims in the area as possible using a team of trained and qualified therapists.

    Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird said: “There’s lots of help and support out there for female victims of domestic abuse but it has to be acknowledged that there is far less provision for male victims.

    “Because of this, it may be assumed there isn’t a need for this service for men, however this isn’t the case.

    “It’s so important that people understand that men can be victims of domestic abuse and do need help and support. Many men may suffer in silence thinking they won’t be believed or fearful of breaking the cycle of abuse and leaving a relationship for reasons such as not seeing their children again.

    “That’s why it’s essential we have groups like Community Counselling Cooperative who, in one year, aim to give 15 men access to one to one counselling and 20 men to be part of one or two peer support groups.

    “I hope the funding I’ve given the group will help them in this aim.”

    Simon Campbell, Director of Community Counselling Cooperative, said: “The Male Survivors of Domestic Abuse project is very pleased with the support that Vera Baird has given us.

    “Financially this enables us to really map out the extent of the problem in the region – as well as provide the therapeutic support to reduce the distress that this abuse causes.

    “Moreover by backing our project the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner is making a big, bold statement: Domestic abuse is a serious issue and can affect anyone at anytime.”

    For more information on the Community Counselling Cooperative visit communitycounsellingcooperative.co.uk

  • Resolve to continue pressure on drink and drug drivers

    Northumbria Police’s Commissioner and Chief Constable have spoken of their great concern following newly published figures showing people are still risking lives through drink or drug driving.

    But they have promised that they will continue to keep the pressure on anyone using the region’s roads and putting lives at risk through Northumbria Police’s Operation Dragoon.

    National figures for the month-long summer drink and drug campaign show that despite an extensive campaign during the World Cup people simply have not listened.

    “These figures are disappointing given the intensive campaign held over the World Cup,” said Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird.

    “There simply is no excuse for drink or drug driving and it’s unbelievable that people put their lives and other innocent lives at risk.

    “Their reckless actions bring pain and heartache to families and communities which last a lifetime and destroys the future of not only those whose lives are lost but also the people who take these actions.”

    Chief Constable Sue Sim said: “Drink or drug driving costs lives, it can have devastating consequences and long-term repercussions. Even a small amount of alcohol can have a serious effect on your driving ability.

    “We treat drink and drug driving as a serious matter and any motorist stopped at any time by a police officer in their day-to-day policing could be required to provide a specimen of breath or take a drug test.

    “Operation Dragoon is currently running and is aimed at making the roads safer for everyone. We will not stand by and allow dangerous drivers to put people’s lives at risk.”

    Nationally just under 1,000 of the failed tests involved under 25s.

    The Commissioner continued: “People must take responsibility for their actions and be fit enough to drive if they get behind the wheel.”

    She praised Northumbria’s recently launched Operation Dragoon, aimed at every road user, from drivers of any vehicles or motorbikes, to cyclists and pedestrians, raising awareness of road safety across all ages.

    “This campaign is all about getting the message out to all road users that their actions matter and ultimately could be a matter of life and death.

    “I know the Chief Constable is passionate about this operation and has made it a key issue for the force.”

  • Commissioner calls for profits to come to the region.

    Northumbria Police & Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird QC, has joined North Rock Foundation Chairman Alastair Balls’ call to the Chancellor to consider a “reasonable and fair” proportion of profits made by the Treasury from Northern Rock’s former holdings to come to the region.

    Vera Baird said: “The Northern Rock Foundation has helped many charitable organisations across the region and the money has been invested in develop to ease disadvantage, support the arts and tackle issues such as domestic abuse.

    “The Chancellor now has the opportunity to save the Foundation and show his commitment to the North East. George Osborne claims he supports the region, by delivering security for the Foundation he will show that he is listening to North East public opinion.

    “I have contacted the Chancellor, urging him to support the valuable work of the Foundation. The Northern Rock problems were a difficult time for the region and he now has a unique opportunity to ensure funding for the Foundation’s excellent work for many years to come.”