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: Police & Crime Commissioner

  • Is this Government Serious about protecting victims?

    Is this Government serious about protecting victims? – Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird

    This week Justice Secretary Chris Grayling MP provided the House of Commons with further information about the Government\’s document \’Our Commitment to Victims\’.

    In a Written Ministerial Statement Mr Grayling believes the proposed laws will see victims kept informed about their case and courts will allow most to provide a personal impact statement. 

    Vera Baird said: \”What the Justice Secretary has announced is a few add ons to the Victims\’ Code – but nothing of real substance.

    \”A lot of what is mentioned in the Written Ministerial Statement is already happening, an example being that victim impact statements will become law, however they have already proved their worth without legislation. We saw the benefits of impact statements in the Rolf Harris case. These statements allow the courts to know how victims have been affected by a crime and for the perpetrator to hear how their actions can ruin lives.\”

    Mrs Baird added: \”Let’s be absolutely clear, Chris Grayling is the Secretary of State who has cut compensation to victims to the bone and scrapped legal aid for victims of sexual and domestic abuse.

    \”It\’s a shocking indictment of this Government’s policies for victims that two-thirds of domestic violence victims have been left with no legal aid to safeguard families against violent partners.  This is a Government that tells us they take seriously the need to address domestic violence – then they remove the very support that is needed.\”

    The Government has published updates and provided further information, but they have avoided the question about why they implemented cuts to the Criminal Justice Compensation Board.

    \”Let us be under no illusion, as Shadow Justice Secretary Sadiq Khan recently said, the Government has let victims down by cutting compensation for innocent victims of violent crime and leaving the position of Victims’ Commissioner vacant for almost a year, before making the role part time,\” the Commissioner said. 

    \”Downing Street does not speak up for victims of crime. David Cameron wanted to reduce prison sentences by half if criminals entered a guilty plea, they have closed refuges and cut resources for Victim Support. 

    \”The Labour Party continues to work with organisations that support victims to ensure the right support, at the right time, is in place. The next Labour Government will implement a strategy that keeps victims at the heart of all decisions which is the right way forward – not add ons and bolt ons to existing legislation as the current Government is doing.\”

    Putting victims first is a commitment Vera Baird has given in her Police and Crime Plan for residents of Northumbria and from April 2015 responsibility for some victims\’ services will fall to Police and Crime Commissioners.

    Vera Baird has consulted on an outline strategy and is mapping the need for services. Through working with local authorities and other responsible partners she will devise a final joint strategy ensuring local services for victims are the best that can be jointly provided.

    \”Victims will always be at the centre of the criminal justice system in our region,\” she said.

  • Action Needed To Tackle True Cost Of Alcohol.

    As alcohol-related NHS admissions hit almost 10 million in England, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird has again called for action to be taken in stemming the consumption of alcohol.

    Already this year Mrs Baird, together with fellow north east Police and Crime Commissioners Ron Hogg from Durham and Cleveland’s Barry Coppinger, have written of their concerns over the direct link between cheap alcohol and crime and disorder.

    The three Commissioners had called on the Government to introduce minimum pricing. Research had shown that by doing this, alcohol related crimes would reduce by thousands each year leading to an improvement in public safety and confidence as well as reducing the health impact of excessive alcohol consumption.

    Almost half of violent crimes are linked to alcohol and a survey of north east frontline police officers showed how nearly all questioned could not remember the last time they had been called to a domestic abuse incident where alcohol wasn’t involved.

    Today Alcohol Concern has updated its Alcohol Harm Map which shows that six out of every ten alcohol-related hospital visits were A&E admissions as well as almost two-thirds of the cost of inpatient admissions.

    The cost of inpatient admissions partly attributable to alcohol was said to be £1.3bn.

    “This growing reliance on alcohol is proving both costly to people’s health as well as the financial costs of health care providers,” the Commissioner said.

    “Add to this the cost alcohol consumption has on crime and disorder, not just in monetary terms for people and businesses but in its affect on the confidence of our communities, and we are looking at a worrying situation,“ Mrs Baird added.

    The Commissioner has also worked extensively in protecting people who become vulnerable while out in the region’s thriving night time economy and has introduced a raft of measures to help keep people safe.

    “I’ve introduced vulnerability training locally for door staff, which now happens nationally, and know through the feedback we’ve had that this is making a real difference.

    “This training is also being given to others working in the night time economy as well as partner agencies like local authorities, so now we have many more eyes and ears looking out for those who become vulnerable and need help to get home safely or be reunited with their friends and family.”

    Mrs Baird added: “The costs we are now seeing to various public services points to a very real need for actions to be taken to help people and alleviate the strain being placed on an already over-stretched public purse.”

  • “Loose Women” TV Programme debate – Judy Finnigan

    The comments of broadcaster Judy Finnigan in her debut on the TV programme ‘Loose Women’ in relation to a high profile rape case involving a footballer have been criticised by Vera Baird.

    The former Richard and Judy star was commenting on the case of footballer Ched Evans who was jailed for five years in 2012 for raping a 19-year-old woman.

    The player is preparing to be released from prison and the broadcaster was discussing if he should be allowed to rejoin his club.

    Ms Finnigan said he had served his time, the rape was not violent and his victim had had far too much to drink.

    The Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, a lifelong campaigner against violence against women and girls, said: “He raped her – that is a serious injury and undermines some people for life.

    “Ms Finnigan seems to have already forgotten the testimony of the teenage victims of Rolf Harris and others who have said in detail in their victim impact statements how their lives had been ruined.

    “No bodily injury has little relevance, it doesn’t have to do physical damage to be rape and it is the essence of violence to force himself upon her.”

    The Commissioner said she had no view about whether they should take Evans back into football, but added: “He has to work somewhere but it probably shouldn’t be in such a public role since it looks like he’s being given a platform for approval.”

    She also questioned what being drunk had to do with anything, saying: “What has this got to do with this if he forced himself upon her.

    “If you get drunk and someone steals your wallet does this mean it’s any less of a theft than if you were sober.”

    Judy Finnigan’s comments on the popular ITV show were publicly condemned by many who took to social media to voice their opinion.

  • Britain Needs A Pay Rise – TUC Campaign

    Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird is encouraging people to support the TUC as it urges ‘Britain needs a pay rise’.

    This Saturday, 18 October, a march supporting the living wage takes place in London with other demonstrations also happening across the country.

    Vera Baird said: “I’m supporting the TUC’s principal of the demonstration which is quite simple – that as growth returns to the UK economy, everyone should get a fairer share in this recovery.

    “People are currently facing the biggest squeeze on their incomes since Victorian times and wages have fallen in real terms every year since 2010.

    “I’m delighted that within my office and Northumbria Police we’ve already embraced many of the principles of this campaign.

    “The TUC is campaigning for a commitment to the living wage and we can give a resounding tick to that, as every employee in Northumbria Police is now paid at least the living wage.”

    Mrs Baird said the cleaning contract was recently brought back ‘in house’, allowing the cleaners’ salaries to be increased from the minimum wage to the living wage.

    She said contracts issued by Northumbria Police or her office had a clause built in that the staff working on the scheme on our behalf must be paid the living wage.

    “There are no ifs or buts, it’s a requirement we insist on to ensure those working within the supply chain of Northumbria Police at least get the living wage,” the Commissioner said.

    “This increase shows how we value all our staff and it also helps the local economy as moving from the minimum wage to the living wage will give staff more disposable income.

    “We all have a duty to support our employees and if a business can afford to pay a higher wage than the minimum wage, they should consider doing so.

    “I’m not looking at this through rose tinted glasses and fully appreciate that some businesses would struggle to pay higher salaries, but many wouldn’t and it is those businesses which can make a difference to their employees that have a duty to do so.”

    The minimum wage was introduced by Tony Blair through the National Minimum Wage Act in 1998 and has helped at least 1.5 million people.

    Since October 2013, the Government has published the names of employers who did not pay the minimum wage and the TUC has called on the Government to publicly name and shame those companies more widely. Additionally there are calls for HMRC to have more resources to help them identify more companies who are not paying the minimum wage.

    The Commissioner said: “This Saturday will send a clear message to the Government and employers about the differences implementing a living wage can have – while ensuring all meet the minimum wage.

    “Here at Northumbria we are leading the way, as are many companies in the north east, and we now need to ensure that all businesses pay the legal requirement of the minimum wage and where possible increase the payment to the living wage and I hope others will join with their support for the living wage.

    “If you haven’t already done so please pledge your support to the ‘Britain needs a pay rise’ march, a simple Tweet can show your support #18oct”

  • The Guardian – 26th September 2014. “Police Commissioners seek inquiry…”

    North East Police & Crime Commissioners say Judge Moorhouse\’s lax sentence told women that \”male judges will not protect them\”

    Read more by clicking here www.theguardian.com/society/2014/sep/26/police-commissioners-inquiry-judge-leniency-domestic-abuse

  • North East Commissioners call for Judge to be investigated.

    Commissioners call for Judge to be investigated

    The north east’s three Police and Crime Commissioners are calling on the Judicial Conduct and Investigations Office to investigate a Teesside Judge who let down a victim of domestic abuse.

    It follows the court case of a 34-year-old man, who was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and given a 12 month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months.

    Teesside Crown Court heard how the man had terrorised his wife by biting and throttling her, before holding a knife to her throat and shooting her in the toe during a terrifying attack.

    Even after the police became involved, the man attempted to intimidate the victim to drop the charges but the victim went ahead and ensured the matter was dealt with by the courts.

    Sadly, the court and Judge George Moorhouse did not deliver for this victim of domestic abuse and the three Commissioners – Northumbria’s Vera Baird, Barry Coppinger from Cleveland and Durham’s Ron Hogg – feel the sentence was unduly lenient.

    Vera Baird said: “Judge Moorhouse does not appreciate that he has a role to play in stopping the epidemic crime of domestic violence and abuse. This sentence sends out the totally wrong message to victims of this crime.”

    Mrs Baird added: “Barry Coppinger, Ron Hogg and myself have worked hard to deliver a regional strategy to help protect women and girls who are affected by domestic violence and abuse.

    “We’ve changed the culture in how the police deal with such cases and our partners work much closer together to offer support and guidance to victims, then we are let down by the courts with lenient sentences like this.”

    In a letter to the Judicial Conduct and Investigations Office, the three Commissioners say Judge Moorhouse needs to be accountable for his actions and to understand that his conduct is not acceptable.

    They said the Judge had sent out the wrong message to women not just in the north east but across the country that male judges will not take a role in protecting them or deterring the crime from which they suffer.

    The Commissioners also feel that all Judges should undergo training to learn about the effects of domestic abuse and how it hurts both the victims and their families.

    Vera Baird added: “I don’t want victims of domestic abuse to be put off from telling the police what is happening to them.

    “We’ve dedicated police staff who will help and support victims. We are on the side of victims and will continue to support them in every way we can.

    “There are good Judges who give proper verdicts that fit the crime and we now need to make sure all Judges are of the same mindset.”

  • Justice Secretary, Chris Grayling MP: His actions don’t follow his words


    Today, Justice Secretary, Chris Grayling MP, has announced a package of measures about the  treatment of victims and witnesses in the criminal justice system.  Yet his own Victims Commissioner has doubts and Police & Crime Commissioner for Northumbria, Vera Baird remains skeptical about his commitment to deliver.

    Under Grayling’s proposals, he states victims will be kept informed about their case, courts will allow personal impact statements to be read out.  Other measures announced include setting up a victims information service from March 2015 and allowing more child witnesses to film their evidence before a trial starts.

    However, the Government’s Victims Commissioner, Baroness Newlove has questioned how his proposals would differ in practice from the existing victims’ code.

    Baroness Newlove believes a new law cannot be used as a quick fix

    Northumbria’s Police & Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird QC, said “Let’s be absolutely clear, Chris Grayling is the Secretary of State who has cut compensation to victims to the bone, he has scrapped legal aid for victims of sexual and domestic abuse.  It was Chris Grayling and his government who tried to stop part of the funding support that currently goes to the families of murder victims.  So I am doubtful whether he means what he says, as victims have never been at the heart of this government.” 

    Putting victims first is a commitment Vera Baird has given in her Police & Crime Plan for residents of Northumbria. From April 2015, responsibility for some victims services falls to Police & Crime Commissioners. Vera Baird has consulted on an outline strategy, is mapping the need for services and, working with local authorities and other responsible authorities, will devise a final joint strategy that will ensure that local services for victims are the best that can be jointly provided. Victims will always be at the centre of the criminal justice system in our region. 

    Mrs Baird commented on the fact that victim impact statements will become law, saying that they have proved their worth without legislation Mrs Baird said “We saw the benefits of impact statements in the Rolf Harris case.  These statements allow the courts to know how victims have been affected by a crime, and for the perpetrator to hear how their actions can ruin lives”.

  • DELETION OF DNA RECORDS

    Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner has written to the Home Secretary expressing her alarm at plans to destroy thousands of DNA samples from a national database.
    Vera Baird QC believes it will be victims of rape and sexual violence who will ultimately suffer as a result of samples held on the national DNA database being destroyed as part of the Protection of Freedoms Act. From October police forces won’t be able to hold indefinitely the DNA of people arrested on suspicion of sexual and violent crimes if they are released without charge. Forces can apply to the biometrics commissioner to hold a sample for three years, with an extension of two years, if they have the grounds to do so.
    However it is claimed this appeals process is not yet in place. The Police and Crime Commissioner said today: “I’ve written to the Home Secretary expressing my deep concern that thousands of DNA samples could be lost. “I’ve highlighted my opposition to early deletion of DNA and my fears that critical DNA which could support future successful convictions could be lost.
    “I know the difficulties there are now in securing convictions in rape cases – it is very hard to give evidence in public about such intimate and traumatising events. However it is well known by police that in some cases rape is serial offending by the same attacker. Victims are more likely to give evidence if they believe that doing so will protect others. So if a victim knows there are other people saying that the same person raped them, they are more likely to give evidence – giving a better chance of conviction\”.
    “With this in mind DNA is invaluable as historic samples can currently be compared and matched with new evidence – which can ultimately provide closure for some victims many years down the line. If DNA is destroyed after three years this can’t happen and we’ll end up with even lower conviction rates. And while there is a lot of good working being done in Northumbria to support victims of sexual offences, the conviction rate across the country is still far too low. Ultimately it will be the victims of sexual violence and rape who will suffer as a result when what we are all trying to achieve is to increase their support and confidence in justice.”

  • Vera visits Newcastle’s Angelou Centre

    Everyone I have spoken to, locally, about violence against women admires the Angelou Centre, which is just moving to bigger premises in Newcastle’s West End. (more…)

  • Police candidate hails S. Tyne approach on anti-social behaviour

    The Shields Gazette reported Vera’s visit to South Tyneside to learn at first hand how the council is working with its partners to tackle crime.