Chair Criminal Cases Review Commission. Member Women’s Justice Bd.
Ex Victims’ Commissioner, Solicitor Gen & PCC. Fellow St Hilda’s Oxford. Writer. Labour Party
Postal votes have started to drop on doors across Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, I hope you will take a few moments to complete your ballot paper and give me your first preference vote. If you aren\’t voting by post you can vote at the Polling Station on May 5th.
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Vote Baird – Vote Labour.
Special guest Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird, was welcomed to Dunston Teams Amateur Boxing Club to see first-hand the excellent work being undertaken by the voluntary sporting group.
Since starting in 2012, the club now has 50 members and has become a hub for the local community – providing a place for young people to exercise, learn new skills and socialise.
Especially for Vera Baird’s visit, members held an exhibition where they showcased a range of training activities, sparring and pad work.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird, said: “I was delighted to be invited along to Dunston Teams Amateur Boxing Club to see first-hand the valuable work undertaken by the team. Forming this club was a great idea and it is clearly having a positive effect on the local community. I met a fantastic bunch of young people who spoke very highly of the club, its leaders and the positive opportunities it brings. It really is making a difference and I look forward to seeing this success continue in the future.”
Head Coach at the club, Ernie Blenkiron, said: “We’re very proud of everything the club and its members have achieved and it was a pleasure having Ms Baird along to see our facilities – we’re very grateful of her support for the work we’re doing. Boxing is based on discipline and respect – an ethos we aim to promote through our club. We are working hard to promote our boxing and fitness classes ensuring they are accessible to people of all abilities so that everyone in the community can enjoy them. Whatever your background and whether you’re young, old, male, female – everyone is welcome along.”
Constable Neighbourhood Beat Manager, Ryan Mark, said: “For me, this club ticks all the boxes – it provides youngsters with a sense of belonging and promotes a healthy lifestyle and respectful values. This club demonstrates such great community spirit and is a place where youngsters can come together and take part in sport in a safe environment, off the streets and reducing anti-social behaviour. As an officer, it\’s the perfect place for me to come down and engage with youngsters. We can chat in an informal setting and I believe it really helps build a sense of trust and to break barriers. It is always fantastic to come along and see what a fantastic job the volunteers are doing.”
Delighted to feature in the April edition of “The Crack” magazine, in the article I talk about my achievements as Police & Crime Commissioner, my priorities and even what my favourite police tv programme is – get your copy today!
A support team to help those affected by anti-social behaviour has been established in South Tyneside.
South Tyneside Council in partnership with South Tyneside Homes have recruited a group of five volunteers to provide support to victims across the Borough.
The Mayor of South Tyneside, Councillor Richard Porthouse, presented the volunteers with certificates to celebrate the completion of their initial training. The training equipped the volunteers with the essential skills needed to support victims affected by anti-social behaviour.
South Tyneside’s ASB victim support volunteering project is being supported by funding from Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Vera Baird. The project is part of her regional initiative which aims to offer advice and guidance to those affected by this type of offence.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird, said: \”Anti-social behaviour can affect anyone at any time and I am very grateful to all the volunteers and everyone involved in helping me tackle this issue head on and making a difference to the lives of victims. Protecting people from harm and helping victims are top priorities for me so I wish this project in South Tyneside every success.\”
The Mayor said: “It was a pleasure to meet the Borough’s new volunteers and to help celebrate their first steps to becoming fully trained.
“The volunteers who have joined the project will provide a vital service to people affected by anti-social behaviour. They will provide ongoing emotional support and practical help and will be a point of contact for victims.
“On behalf of the Borough I would like to thank all of the volunteers for agreeing to give up their time to support those affected by anti-social behaviour in South Tyneside.”
The volunteers will help victims to cope and recover following an incident or sustained attacks as well as improve community confidence.
Councillor Tracey Dixon, Lead Member for Area Management and Community Safety said: “Anti-social behaviour not only has a detrimental impact on communities, it can be extremely distressing for the individuals affected, impacting on their health and wellbeing. It is something we are determined to tackle.
“We hope the emotional and practical support that our volunteers will provide to victims and witnesses of anti-social behaviour will empower residents to report this type of activity so action can be taken to prevent further incidents in their area.
“We are committed to working with our partners including Victim Support and South Tyneside Homes to make sure this scheme has a positive impact across the Borough.”
Police arrest a man in connection with Modern Day Slavery in Blyth.
The arrest follows an on-going investigation by the Blyth Neighbourhood Policing Team into reports of people working without payment and living in squalor in private accommodation in the town.
On Tuesday, March 15, a 44-year-old man was arrested for assault and Modern Day Slavery. He has been released on bail pending further enquiries.
The activity forms part of Operation Merlin – an initiative ran by the Blyth Neighbourhood Policing Team to protect the most vulnerable in the community and work with partners to provide help for residents who need it the most.
Modern Day Slavery includes a person being exploited through domestic servitude, sex trafficking and forced labour.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird said: “We will not tolerate the enslaving of anyone. Everyone has the right, and is entitled to be free. Here in Northumbria we are fully committed to stamping out all forms of modern day slavery and human trafficking, and this arrest proves that we will take swift and direct action where any such offences are suspected to be taking place.
“It’s important people realise that these offences can happen on our doorstep, right here in the North East, and we need to ensure people caught up in these terrible situations have access to the help and safety they need.
“I urge anyone with any concerns to seek help – our officers will offer full support and bring offenders to justice.”
Chief Inspector, Nicola Musgrove, said: “Safeguarding vulnerable children and adults is a key priority for us and we are committed to minimising harm in communities.
“Modern day slavery is a hidden crime and can happen anywhere, in all sections of the community and we investigate reports of this nature thoroughly.
“This arrest is a direct result of community intelligence and we urge people to look out for potential victims and if you are concerned or have any suspicions to contact police straight away.
“Our enquiries are ongoing and I would urge people to be vigilant and if something doesn’t look or feel right I would ask them to contact us.
Anyone who may have concerns is asked to contact police on 101 or alternatively Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Northumbria’s Police & Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird has insisted that Conservative Chancellor, George Osborne must pay back over £1 million pound to Northumbria Police.
Mr Osborne has been reprimanded by an official statistics watchdog – after he cut police funding for Northumbria despite promising not to.
The Tories also used the council tax precept by planning a budget that included an assumption local residents in Northumbria would pay £5 a year more for their policing with no consultation with local people, police & crime commissioners or council leaders.
PCC Vera Baird, said: “All of Osborne’s bravado last year was hot air – we knew at the time he had cut police budgets and this has been confirmed by the UK Statistics Authority. The government manipulated the figures, assumed a council tax increase of £5 to just maintain the services. The Police Grant that we receive from government is less, it’s wrong that the government forced the police to keep services at their current level by imposing a £5 increase with no consultation.”
Here in Northumbria, police funding is made up of a grant from central government and the police precept element of the council tax. The government put their funding package together including a £5 increase. Forces then have money taken off them through “top slicing”, this is where money is used to pay for national schemes.
Vera Baird added: “In relation to the Police Precept, it is normally the role of police & crime commissioners to determine an increase, if at all. This time the government put in place the £5 increase – if this amount had not been included, our police force would have received even less funding. Northumbria has also had £1.2 million directly removed and I want it back. I want this money to invest in policing to ensure we keep bobbies on the beat and that Northumbria remains one of the safest places in the country to live.”
Vera Baird will be meeting the Shadow Home Secretary, Andy Burnham and the Shadow Policing Minister, Jack Dromey, to urge them to keep the pressure on the Chancellor , to get him to correct the record and find the extra money to honour his promise.
Since 2010, Northumbria Police budget has been cut by the Tories and Lib Dems by more than £100 million, this has resulted in the force loosing 861 police officers and nearly 1000 police staff.
The plea follows an increase in the number of reports received by police in Sunderland and South Tyneside about teenagers and young people posting images of themselves on social network sites of a sexually explicit nature.
Officers are asking youngsters to think carefully about the content they post online and are reminding them that these images have the potential to be shared worldwide with strangers and online criminals.
Southern Area Command Superintendent Sarah Pitt said: “If you are posting images of a sexually explicit nature you are putting yourself at risk of unwanted contact from other teenagers, harrassment, bullying and exploitation from cyber criminals.
“Never send or share an explicit image in a text or over the internet. However much you trust the person you are sending it to you have no idea where it could end up.
“It’s also important to be aware that you may also be committing a criminal offence for which you could be arrested. The consequences of this could follow you into your adult life and in certain circumstances may affect your prospects of a career.
“The internet is an essential tool and social networking sites are a popular way for young people to communicate but we need to make sure they stay safe online and know how to use it responsibly.
“Anyone who may have concerns about images they have shared or received should speak with a trusted adult or the police straight away.
“We will be working with local schools across both Sunderland and South Tyneside to educate teenagers around the risks and their personal responsibility to ensure they use social media responsibly, it is a great tool for them to keep in contact with their friends but there are risks attached and these risks can be greatly increased by the content they post.”
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird, said: “The internet plays such an important part of everyday life for so many young people, especially with social networking being a popular way to communicate. It’s very important that we make sure young people stay safe online and are aware of the risks and what they can do to avoid them.”
For more information about staying safe online please visit:
http://www.northumbria.police.uk/esafety
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird has expressed delight at news that the UK’s specialist unit for wildlife law enforcement will continue, following a successful national campaign to prevent its closure.
It was feared that The Wildlife Crime Unit, which tackles wildlife crime would be forced to close at the end of March due to Government funds being axed. However, on Tuesday, March 1st, it was announced that four years’ worth of funding has been secured keeping it open until 2020.
Vera Baird, said: “This is a great victory for campaigners. The Government had to be pushed into funding this unit and I am pleased they finally came to their senses, recognising the importance of this vital work in tackling wildlife crime. Unfortunately other areas of the police budget have not been protected in the same way.
“Across Northumbria we are fortunate to have some fantastic wildlife and we need to do all we can to protect it. Without this unit, crimes like badger baiting and the slaughter of wild birds of prey would have been forced to go uninvestigated. We need this unit because its members are specially trained to respond to these crimes and work with our officers to prevent animal cruelty and prosecute the criminals responsible.
“As a country, we need to strengthen our stance against these crimes and I’m pleased the unit will be able to continue its efforts in investigating wildlife crime and working hard to put a stop to it.”
Anyone who sees an incident involving the harming of wildlife or witnesses a crime against wildlife should report it to Northumbria Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Northumbria Police and our Fire Services work closely together and have developed great partnership working and I am keen to see this continue.
I don\’t believe that the Fire Service should come under the control of Police & Crime Commissioners, but I do believe the government has a duty to ensure all of our emergency services are properly funded.
The article in the Chronicle shows how our region is losing out – I will continue to work with Councillors, MPs and partners to ensure the North East\’s voice is heard loud and clear.
A major conference in Durham today has called for changes in the licensing laws for alcohol. The key outcomes of the conference are expected to form the basis of a debate in Parliament.
Over one hundred people from decision-making bodies met with the North East’s three Police and Crime Commissioners at the Durham Centre in Belmont to hear about the consequences of excessive alcohol consumption, and to share ideas about how consumption might be reduced. As well as the Police and Crime Commissioners, speakers at the event included:
– Jon Foster, Senior Research and Policy Officer, Institute of Alcohol Studies
– Professor Dorothy Newbury Birch, Professor of Alcohol and Public Health Research, Teesside University
– Colin Shevills, Director of Balance
Ron Hogg, Police and Crime Commissioner for County Durham and Darlington, said “There has been a 57% increase in alcohol-related deaths since 1994. As well as the tragic consequences for the families concerned, this means that resources are being used by the emergency services which could be better committed elsewhere.”
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird, said “It’s vital that we work together to reduce the cost to society of alcohol related harm by changing attitudes, deterring offenders and tackling irresponsible supply.
“Many residents are calling for a lower drink drive limit, which in Scotland has led to a 17% reduction in drink-drive offences. I give my full support to this and, along with my fellow PCCs in the region, will continue campaigning for its implementation.”
Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland, Barry Coppinger, said “Our hardworking emergency services are all too aware of the long term effects of excessive drinking and the impact on their resources and our communities. This debate is long overdue and I firmly believe that our experts in the North East have a valid and relevant story to tell in helping to inform this debate.”
I believe that a minimum unit price for alcohol would serve to reduce consumption and improve community safety.’
The three PCCs are working with local MPs to secure a debate in Parliament, to review the licensing laws.
