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

Category: ARTICLES

  • 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 shotgun certificates from April 6 and will be the first time there’s been a rise since 2001.

    Northumbria Police currently recoup around 80% of the cost of issuing a licence. These increases mean the granting or renewing of a firearms or shotgun certificate would become largely cost neutral for the force.

    Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird said: “Fees for firearms licensing are set down nationally and have remained the same for many years. I have called on the Home Office to implement these fee changes for some time, I’m pleased that they have now taken action.

    “The current fees simply aren’t sufficient to cover the processes carried out by Northumbria Police to grant the certificates.

    “In an average year, the force grants 600 certificates and renews 2,541. These numbers reflect the force’s large rural area within which many farmers, gamekeepers and landowners keep guns for vermin control and hunting. It’s also an area where organised shoots are common.

    “Like all other forces, we are facing further deep budget cuts in Northumbria and are constantly looking at all our activities to ensure we can make savings and efficiencies.

    “Anything that can help Northumbria balance the books is of course good news and the increases will see us become cost neutral when issuing or renewing a firearms certificates in the future.”

  • HMIC Report Stop and Search Powers 2: Are the police using them fairly and effectively?

    Vera Baird, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria has welcomed a new report into the use of police Stop and Search powers.

    In December 2014, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) required all forces to complete self assessments regarding progress against ten recommendations made by HMIC in 2013. In addition, Northumbria Police was one of nine forces visited by HMIC, whose report is out today.

    Vera Baird said:

    ” There has never been any serious criticism of the use of stop and search by officers in Northumbria Police. People from black or ethnic minority backgrounds are not disproportionately subjected to these powers and the relatively high number of arrests which follow suggest they are being used well and responsibly.

    In my view, one of the reasons why performance in such areas has improved is because of the direct input of members of the public, recruited by me as Police and Crime Commissioner to help scrutinise how these essential but easily abused powers are used.”

    Assistant Chief Constable, Jo Farrell said:

    “HMIC noted on their latest visit that officers showed good knowledge of their powers and that an extensive training programme has already taken place.

    “Pending the delivery of a national training package, we decided to develop our own and to date almost 2,500 frontline officers have taken part. It is designed to improve their understanding both of the use of the powers and of the information we need to record to ensure stop and search is fair, appropriate and effective. This has included supervisors who undertake regular audits.

    “We still need to make written and electronic records more accessible so we can continue to ensure that no group is being disproportionately affected, but overall we are pleased to have made good progress”

  • COMMISSIONER WELCOMES HMIC REPORT – VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND ADULTS NEED CARE, NOT CUSTODY.

    Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird has welcomed an HMIC report which finds that children need care, not custody.
    In January 2014, the Home Secretary commissioned HMIC to conduct a thematic inspection on the welfare of vulnerable people in police custody. The inspection looked at a number of areas which included those with mental health problems, those from black and minority ethnic backgrounds and children.
    The inspection considered the end to end process. Inspections were undertaken in six force areas, Northumbria was not one, but Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird QC, has committed to learning from the report to ensure Northumbria Police delivers the best care possible when dealing with vulnerable children and adults.
    There are a number of recommendations in the report which Northumbria Police will review carefully to ensure local practice follows national guidelines.  The Force’s current custody action plan and equality delivery plan already cover some of the areas highlighted in the report.  Commissioner Baird will now ensure that the report is updated to include the information highlighted in the HMIC report.
    Vera Baird said: “Custody suites and the use of handcuffs or limb restraints are for those suspected of committing a crime – not for people who are suffering mental health.  In Northumbria, we have dedicated nurses who provide support to people suffering from mental health. 
    \”Moving forward, Northumbria Police will continue to work with partners to ensure the best service available is given. I expect to see a reduction in the use of police custody for those suffering from mental health issues or vulnerable children in custody”.
    Northumbria Police is about to extend their successful street triage project where police officers and mental healthcare workers work together at peak times to avoid detaining people under the Mental Health Act and ensuring they get the support they need.
    Conclusions of the report found that custody should also be avoided for children. Where appropriate, Northumbria Police will seek alternatives to arrest. This could include a voluntary interview at a station, a person’s home or solicitors’ office.
    Mrs Baird added: “We can learn from this HMIC report, moving forward we will continue to work with partners to ensure effective support for young people is achieved, rather than bringing them in to custody. 
    \”The street triage is having a positive effect and improvements to our electronic records system will help ensure we are recording all the information expected by HMIC. 
    \”Northumbria is doing well, our drive and determination will ensure we are delivering an outstanding service for vulnerable people and children in custody.\”

  • Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner welcomes findings of Commons Education Committee

    The Commons Education Committee inquiry has reported that all schools in England should have to teach sex and relationships education (SRE) – this is an issue that Vera Baird has campaigned about for many years.
    The Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner said: “Young people learn so much at school and from each other.
    “It’s important we teach them about sex education, how good relationships can be formed and how they should be maintained.
    “Some youngsters will come from homes were they witness domestic abuse, so relationship education will show them that abuse is not the norm and there is help out there.”
    The Commons Education Committee investigated SRE as in 2013 Ofsted found that more than a third of schools were failing to provide age appropriate SRE.
    The Committee has now urged the Government to take action; the coalition Government has said it would consider the findings carefully.
    Vera Baird said: “The Committee has made it clear that action needs to be taken and that Personal, Social and Heath Education (PSHE) needs to have the same importance as other subjects.
    “I am pleased that the Shadow Education Secretary, Tristram Hunt has agreed that Labour will make age-appropriate sex and relationship education compulsory in all state schools.”
    The Committee’s recommendations include:
    ·     The Department for Education developing a ‘work plan’ for introducing age-appropriate PSHE and SRE as statutory subjects in primary and secondary schools.
    ·     The Government endorsing and publishing updated guidance on SRE from subject specialists.
    ·     Ofsted resuming regular surveys of PSHE provision.
    ·     Schools consulting regularly with parents on SRE provision, with parents retaining the right to withdraw their child.
    ·     SRE to be renamed Relationships and Sex Education.
    Vera Baird said the recommendations were to be welcomed, but added that she hoped parents would see the long term value of SRE and not withdraw their children from such lessons.

  • Vera Baird addressing national conference on the Investigation and Prosecution of Rape


    Northumbria’s Police & Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird QC, will be addressing a national conference in London on Wednesday 28th January, which will be focusing on the Investigation and Prosecution of Rape.


    The conference, which is being hosted by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), will hear from experts in this field, including Director of Public Prosecution, Alison Saunders, Professor Liz Kelly from London Metropolitan University and Vera Baird QC.


    Mrs Baird will be speaking about the innovative Court Observers Panel that she has established in Northumbria. The panel, which began its work this month, will now be present at all adult rape trials at Newcastle Crown Court.  
    It is made up of people with relevant expertise on the topic, drawn from the voluntary and community sectors, including lawyers, and then given special training to take part.


    The panel will report back to Mrs Baird in her role as Northumbria Police & Crime Commissioner, particularly noting the unacceptable appearance of any myths and stereotypes in court, such as the suggestion that victims have in some way contributed to what has happened; for instance, by the way they have dressed.


    The Court Observers Panel will also consider whether the complainant\’s needs are being properly considered in each case, whether the impact of sexual abuse on the ability to testify is being properly taken into account during proceedings and any sense of the victim being tried rather than the defendant.


    It will work as part of a new system in tandem with the Rape Scrutiny Panel, which will be similarly drawn from the voluntary and community sectors. The Rape Scrutiny Panel also begins work this month and will examine case files where it has been judged that no crime has been committed, or which were said not to have achieved the required threshold of evidence to be sent to the Crown Prosecution Service. They will also examine failed prosecutions, to look for ways to improve the process for future occasions.  


    Vera Baird said: “Having to give evidence in a rape trial is very traumatic, and it is important that the courts appreciate this and ensure that the needs of the victim are always considered and that inappropriate questions are myths are dealt with.  

    “I\’m delighted to have the opportunity to share Northumbria’s innovative panel experiences at the CPS.  I’m hopeful that delegates present will want to see similar panels in their communities.


    “I want these innovations to increase confidence in the process, encouraging victims and witnesses to report incidents, whilst assuring defendants that any improvements in the system will protect them too.”   

  • Commissioner Asks Public Advice on the 2015/16 Police Precept

    Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner is asking for the views of local residents on the amount of money households are asked to pay for its policing service.

    “As your Commissioner I have to set the police precept – the amount everyone pays directly for policing on their Council Tax bill – and I want to ask your views about whether I should increase the precept this year?” the Commissioner Vera Baird said.

    The maximum amount it can be raised by without a costly referendum is 1.99% which would bring in an additional £630,000 a year for policing in Northumbria.

    Currently someone living in a Band D property pays £1.67 per week in council tax for their police service – most residents living in Northumbria have a council tax Band A property and so only pay £1.11 per week.

    The rise would mean a Band D property owner would pay an extra 3p a week to £1.70. For those living in a Band A  property the increase would be an extra 2p a week bringing the cost up to £1.13.

    An alternative to this is to increase the precept by 1.5% which would increase a Band D payment by 2p a week to £1.69p bringing an extra £470,000 each year for policing in Northumbria. The Band A payment increase would be less than 2p a week and just under £1.13 a week.

    The third option would be to have no precept increase and accept a freeze grant from the Government of £389,000. However, this grant would only be paid this year and as the precept would remain the same, it would have to be looked at again next year

    The Commissioner said: “Our force has suffered tremendously from Government cuts to grants with £45.8m lost in the past four years and a further £11.8m lost this year.

    “These cuts have had a more serious effect than if we raised more of our funding through the council tax and the financial challenge the force faces now is its worst, though the Chief Constable and I are doing our very best to preserve the high standards of policing that we are used to here.”

    Northumbria Police currently has the lowest police precept of all the 43 police forces in England and Wales, the average across the country being £3.30 per week.

    Vera Baird said: “We need every penny we can get and I’m asking if people would be content to pay a maximum increase of 3p a week on a Band D property to protect our local policing. I want to hear what local residents think is best for Northumbria.”

    To take part in the very short on line survey/consultation, which takes less than a minute to complete and is open until 31 January 2015, go to: www.surveymonkey.com/r/policeprecept

  • Northumbria Police – Top 100 employer for LGBT people.

    Northumbria Police has been recognised as one of the top 100 employers for lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Britain.

    The news, which was welcomed by Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird, comes as it was revealed Northumbria Police ranked 85th in the 2015 Stonewall Workplace Equality Index – the first time the force has been ranked in the top 100.

    The Workplace Equality Index i…s an effective way to measure organisations’ efforts to tackling discrimination and creating an inclusive workplace for lesbian, gay and bisexual employees. Organisations participating are actively demonstrating commitment to sexual orientation equality.

    Assistant Chief Officer Bernie McCardle said: “This is a huge achievement for us, the force constantly strives to improve as an equal opportunities employer and create a workplace where people can be themselves without fear of discrimination or prejudice.”

    Northumbria Police has been able to achieve an inclusive workplace through activity in our Joint Equality objectives with the Police and Crime Commissioner. Examples of activity include; development of inclusive Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGB&T) policies and procedures, support and sign posting through an internal LGB&T network group, introducing equality led procurement practices and delivering of diversity and victim led training.

    The force regularly supports events within the region that celebrate LGB&T communities and officers and staff, including the force’s volunteers, regularly attend both the Newcastle and Sunderland Pride Festival and take part in the Pride Parade as well as flying the rainbow flag to recognise International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) and supporting LGB&T History Month.

    Vera Baird has six advisory groups including one which is dedicated to LGBT issues. This group meets with her and her office to discuss any concerns they have and what is going well in the force region.

    She said: “I am delighted that Northumbria Police has achieved a place as one of the top 100 employers for lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Britain and this is a testament to the work which has been carried out by the force.”

    Director of human resources Joscelin Lawson added: “This achievement highlights the efforts we have gone to in order to make the organisation an even better place for lesbian, gay and bisexual people to work. The force aims to create a workplace where diversity can be celebrated.”

  • RSPB PRESS RELEASE – Police Commissioner fund helps protect Northumberland wildlife sanctuary

    PRESS RELEASE – Police Commissioner fund helps protect Northumberland wildlife sanctuary

    A community fund, set up by Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird QC, has awarded the RSPB a grant of £2,000 to help prevent wildlife crime at its Coquet Island reserve.

    Situated a mile off the coast of Amble, Northumberland, Coquet Island is home to tens of thousands of breeding seabirds during spring and summer including the UK’s only colony of roseate terns. As a result, the island is designated as a wildlife sanctuary and landing on it is prohibited without consent.

    The RSPB will use the grant to upgrade the island’s outdated CCTV system so wardening staff can monitor the island effectively for illegal activity such as egg theft and disturbance of roseate terns. 

    Although surrounded by sea, Coquet Island’s wildlife is at risk from wildlife criminals. In 2004, rare roseate tern eggs were stolen and in July 2012 two brothers from Amble caused reckless disturbance to breeding roseate terns when they landed on the island.  

    Paul Morrison, Warden at RSPB Coquet Island, said: “This generous grant from the Police and Crime Commissioner means that we will be able provide greater protection for the UK’s rarest seabird and make staff feel more safe and secure when working on the island.

    “It is also a powerful endorsement of the RSPB’s view that wildlife crime is a serious issue that needs to be tackled head on with the right resources.”

    Vera Baird QC, Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria, said: “Tackling wildlife crime is an important priority and I am pleased that we have been able to support the excellent work of the RSPB to help protect some of the UK’s rarest seabirds on Coquet Island.  Northumbria Police and I will continue to work closely with the RSPB to help protect rare birds and to stop the theft of birds eggs.”

     

    For further information and to arrange an interview, please contact:
    Chris Collett, Regional Communications Manager, 0191 233 4317 / 07885 834889

  • Open Letter to Mike Ashley re Ched Evans.

    Open letter from: Vera Baird QC, Police & Crime Commissioner for Northumbria

    To: Mr Mike Ashley, Sports Direct

    Mr Mike Ashley

    Newcastle United Football Club

    St James Park

    Newcastle upon Tyne

       

    5th January 2015.

     

    Dear Mr Ashley,  

    I am writing to you following media speculation that Oldham Athletic Football Club has received reassurances from its biggest sponsor, Sports Direct that they will not withdraw £1m sponsorship if Oldham sign Ched Evans, despite Oldham\’s main stand sponsors Verlin Rainwater Solutions saying it will end its association with the club if Evans signs.

    As the owner of a great football club Newcastle United, you know the pride that fans have in their club, the players and the heritage of the club.  My office works closely with Newcastle United Foundation and has funded a number of initiatives working with young people to help them understand what is right and wrong. Your football players are an inspiration and we are well aware that players are role models for thousands of young people, like the ones we have met and talked to at events.  This pride will be the same for the young people who live in Oldham.

    As you know, the passion of football is in Newcastle’s blood and I know passions also run high at Oldham Athletic; the team of my home town and one which I have watched many times, especially when I lived there as a young person.

    Footballers are role models and it is wrong that Oldham Athletic are considering signing Ched Evans, who is a convicted rapist.

    I have a strong commitment to rehabilitation of people who have accepted their guilt and served their penalty and giving work to these people is part of that. However, Ched Evans does not seek rehabilitation from his criminality. He denies the crime and supports the use of a website which persecutes his victim – www.chedevans.com

    The Lord Chief Justice said there were no grounds whatsoever for an appeal and it is clear that Evans had sex without consent when no reasonable man would have thought she was consenting because she was too drunk to do so –https://www.crimeline.info/case/r-v-ched-evans-chedwyn-evans

    There is no clash of evidence which could justify any attack on her character.  Nothing could justify the hounding which has caused her to move house five times (http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/dec/28/ched-evans-rape-victim-change-name-move-house-father) and which Ched Evans has been called on to disown or stop but, having failed to do either, has condoned.

    He should not be taken on as a footballer with the high profile heroism that young people attach to such figures. It is tantamount to saying that sexual abuse is okay as long as you can play football.  If Oldham Athletic decide to appoint him, I would urge you to withdraw Sports Direct sponsorship at the club. 

    Sports Direct needs to speak out now, before any board meeting. Your stance needs to be unequivocally clear – that there is no place in British football for unrepentant convicted rapists. 

    Taking the right decision today will show all victims of rape that the trauma they face in reporting such a crime isn’t in vain.

    Yours sincerely
     
    Vera

    Vera Baird QC
    Police & Crime Commissioner – Northumbria

  • Ed Miliband’s New Year Message


    “I want to wish you a very Happy New Year, from my family to yours. This is the season for new beginnings and hopes for the future. And Britain is ready for a new beginning. Because I don’t have to tell you that all over our country today, there are people working harder and harder, but standing still: families struggling with bills that are growing faster than their wages; young people, taking on mountains of debt to get a proper education, only to find themselves with no job at the other end; and an NHS where people are waiting longer and longer to get the care they need.

    “It doesn’t have to be this way. As this New Year dawns, we have the chance to change direction; a chance to build a recovery for all of Britain; to fight for policies that actually honour and reward hard work; and hold the banks and energy companies accountable. We have the chance- all of us together- to fight for a new plan that cuts our deficit responsibly, without threatening our NHS or short changing our children and their future. This year, we have the power to bring about the change working families all over Britain need. This isn’t about idle dreams or empty promises. It\’s about a real, concrete plan: a plan for a recovery which reaches your kitchen table.

    “In the coming months, I look forward to sharing our ideas with you about how we raise wages, give our young people a proper chance to get on, set fair rules for immigration and rescue our NHS. None of this will be easy or instant. But it is possible if we run the country in a different way: with a different idea, a different plan: putting working people first. And I know we will be a better, stronger and more prosperous country for it. So this is a moment of possibility for Britain. We have it within our grasp not just to see out the old year but to see out the old ways of running the country. Can we do it? Of course we can.

    “This coming year, we mark the seventieth anniversary of the end of the second world war, when our parents and grandparents overcame the most daunting odds to rebuild. After the war, badly battered and deeply in debt, Britain rose again. We built the NHS, a modern welfare state, homes for people to live in and still dealt with our debts; we set the stage for a generation of progress for working people. Today’s challenges are different. But if we could walk through those fires, we surely can meet the problems of our time. We can build a country that works for everyday people. Change is possible if we reach for it. If you are one of the millions of people who think Britain can do a lot better, I am with you. I am with you and this year, together, we can bring about the change we need.”

    You can also watch it here –