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

Tag: ASB

  • VERA BAIRD WELCOMES SUPPORT FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY ASB IN SOUTH TYNESIDE

    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.”

  • New ASB powers need funding from Government.

    Correspondence sent by Commissioner Baird to Chris Grayling MP in relation to the new Anti-Social Behaviour Powers

    20th October 2014

     

    Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP

    Secretary of State

    Ministry of Justice

    102 Petty France

    London

    SW1H 9AJ

    20th October 2014

     

    Dear Secretary of State,

    Anti-Social Behaviour Powers

    As today sees the launch of the Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, I am taking this opportunity to raise concerns that I have in relation to this matter.

    The Government has introduced five new powers which have come in to effect today, which the Government believe will enable the police, local authorities and others to respond quickly and effectively to ASB.

    Northumbria Police has worked closely with partners to ensure the smooth implementation of the powers and my office has consulted on the community remedy list with the public in Northumbria clearly favouring the following two options:

    Educational or rehabilitative activities                                            20%

    Unpaid work within the community                                                   21%

    Local authorities across Northumbria welcome any initiative to tackle anti-social behaviour, but they do have concerns about how the public’s two most popular remedies will be delivered as no extra funding has been made available from Government.

    The Government must take ownership of this problem as the public are being invited to take part in this programme, but funding is not available to support these initiatives.

    The Police and local government budgets are stretched to capacity, as you will be aware central Government has taken nearly £70 million from the Northumbria Police budget alone and there is literally no extra funding available.

    If the government want this programme to be a success, you must ensure that there is funding to support the work of local authorities and the police.

    I call upon you to hold urgent meetings with your colleagues to resolve this matter and we can then move forward and deliver a programme that all partners are able to do with confidence and which results in public satisfaction and a reduction in ASB.

    I look forward to hearing from you soon.

    Best wishes.

    Vera Baird QC

    Police & Crime Commissioner – Northumbria.