Category: Media
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North East PCCs call to reduce the breathalyser limit
Today, the government has announced a number of measures to improve road safety – but miss out one important factor, reducing the limit. The three North East PCCs welcome any initiative that will help make our roads safer, but Commissioner Baird, along with her colleagues, Ron Hogg, PCC for Durham and Barry Coppinger, PCC for…
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Commissioner Baird calls on Home Secretary to take lead from Scottish Government
Labour MSPs have successfully ensured that the Scottish Government will hold an independent review into the actions of the police during the miners’ strike in Scotland. Dame Vera Baird QC, Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria who was one of the barristers defending northern miners in the Orgreave Trial and who also acted in many…
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Google and others – need to get it right!
It’s of great concern that internet providers such as Google are helping users uncover the identity of rape and sexual assault victims – who by law, have their anonymity protected for life. Here in the North East, a case involving footballer, Adam Johnson saw his victim named on social media, (at times assisted by Google…
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Have your say, make your voice heard – The 2018 National Rural Crime Survey
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Dame Vera Baird QC is urging rural communities to take part in a national survey on rural crime. It is three years since the last National Rural Crime Survey which revealed how rural communities were affected by crime. Here in Northumbria, the police regularly meet residents and businesses who reside…
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Providing effective policing in Northumbria.
As Chronicle readers will know, I have been lobbying the government hard over their unfair funding for our police service. Since 2010 Northumbria Police have had to endure cuts imposed on us of over £135 million, this has not been an easy challenge. However, the Chief Constable and I have squeezed every penny out of…
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Northumbria Police praised as ‘Good’ in latest inspection
A POSITIVE culture with an excellent understanding of the demand for its services and solid financial plans – those are the findings of the latest independent report into Northumbria Police. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has carried out its annual assessment of how well police forces are managing finances…
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Cost of meeting rising crime revealed by PCCs
The cost of meeting the rise in crime whilst investing to stem that rise and protect the public has been revealed. Evidence gathered by PCCs and Police Chiefs shows that £440m extra is required in 2018/19 and £845m in 2019/20, an increase of 1.5% to 2% more than inflation in each year. The Home Office…
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Neighbourhood policing – it’s my priority
Following on from last month’s Vera’s views (www.northumbria-pcc.gov.uk), I wanted to focus further on neighbourhood policing. When I was elected as Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria, I gave a commitment that I would do everything I could to protect neighbourhood policing – it’s one of the most effective ways of ensuring local police officers…
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Lending support to national Anti-Slavery Day today
The Commissioner, together with police and partners has been working together to tackle this important issue and wants to raise awareness of the scale of the problem that affects areas across the UK, including the north east. Tackling modern day slavery and human trafficking is a high priority for the force and forms part of…
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POLICE & CRIME COMMISSIONER DEMANDS ACTION FROM HOME SECRETARY
Leading Police and Crime Commissioner, Dame Vera Baird QC, has taken her demand for action to the very top of government. In a letter to the Home Secretary, Dame Vera has demanded that extra funding be made available to Northumbria Police for the 2% pay rise announced by government for police officers. The Government recently…