Category: ARTICLES
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David Cameron a man of many words and little action
David Cameron has today said that prison reform has been a “scandalous failure” for years and has pledged to make it the “great progressive cause” of politics. Ironically, the Prime Minister has expressed the same concerns nearly a decade ago when in 2007 he said that prison reform was one of the key planks of…
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Keeping cops on the beat.
The Police and Crime Panel for Northumbria have unanimously approved the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner’s proposed increase to the police precept (the police element of the council tax) of 10p per week for a band D property. The Chief Constable confirms that this figure which is £5 per year will enable him to retain…
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Vera Baird urges Home Secretary to take action.
Following news that American blogger Daryush Valizadeh known as Roosh V has organised rallies in various cities across the world this weekend, including Newcastle, Northumbria’s Police & Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird QC, has written to the Home Secretary, Theresa May, urging her to ban Roosh V from entering the United Kingdom. Valizadeh is urging…
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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…
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‘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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Commissioner Welcomes Firearms Licensing Fee Increase
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird has welcomed the announced increase in firearms licensing fees. The Home Office announced the increases on Thursday which are said to create a fairer and more effective system for forces, licence holders and the general public. The increases will be applied to new and renewals of firearms and…