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: Northumbria

  • Brexit needs the best deal possible, not a no deal!

    As the dark nights start to draw in, I think the Prime Minister will be having many dark days – wondering how to control her rebels over Brexit. The government are making a monumental hash up of this process, it is stumbling from crisis to crisis and as they do this they are failing to see the bigger picture and the damage they are doing to communities across our region.

    In relation to policing, the Home Secretary needs to get a grip and start ensuring the various vital cooperation tools / mechanisms enabling the UK and the EU police forces to work together to prevent and tackle crime and threats to regional and national security are in place. He also needs to address the potential impact on the future incompatibility between EU and UK laws and the rights the UK could lose by falling out of the EU’s jurisdiction and legal framework. We need continued use of shared law enforcement databases and EU arrest warrants which have assisted Northumbria Police on many occasions, nationally last year 1,735 arrests were made in the UK and more than 10,000 people have been extradited since 2004. In 2017 the Schengen Information System (SIS) which is a European database used by the police to search for terrorist suspects, missing people and to check vehicle registrations and passport details was checked nearly 540 million times by police officers in the UK – it’s imperative that the Home Secretary and his department ensure that these services are still available to Northumbria Police after March 2019. Northumbria Police plays a vital role in national security and the safety of the public in our region and we can’t allow the good work police officers and staff undertake be put in jeopardy if the government doesn’t get its act together to ensure detailed arrangements are in place – we work with partners to tackle crime such as human trafficking and serious organised crimes and police officers need the tools to get the job done, not Boris and his cronies fighting for the next media headline.

    Theresa May now needs to move away from accepting a possible “no deal” outcome on Brexit, as this will cause chaos and confusion for policing and security services. She has a duty to deliver the best deal possible that will ensure the continued safety of residents. We are fast approaching March 2019 and policing needs considerable additional resources at a local and national level for policing to operate using non-EU services, and in all reality, whatever is put in place to deal with a no-deal outcome will be an inferior standard to what is already in place. It is hoped that the government and EU will have agreed terms for leaving by October – that’s very optimistic as there is a great more deal work to be done.

    I agree fully with Richard Martin, deputy assistant commissioner at the Metropolitan police and the NPCC lead on Brexit, when he said “it is in the interests of both sides to negotiate an arrangement that allows for continued close working, whether as part of existing mechanisms or negotiated alternatives. Without such arrangements, both UK police and EU member states will lose capabilities including identifying criminals and missing persons who cross our borders, detaining and swiftly surrendering suspects under EAWs, quickly identifying previous history of offending or the sharing biometric data”

    There is a job to be done, Theresa May needs to get on with it and I stand with other Labour Police and Crime Commissioners across England and Wales demanding it is done with the interests of safety and delivering effective policing running through the heart of any deal.

  • Tory “Summer of Discontent” – We need change NOW!

    The sun has certainly been blazing down – in the world of politics you could be forgiven for thinking this is Theresa May’s “Summer of Discontent” – she lost Boris from the Foreign Office, she lost David from the Brexit Office, her great plan for Brexit that she drew up at Chequers is now nigh on defunct and to add to her problems, she hosted Donald Trump and inflicted him on the Queen! There is a serious point to this – this government moves from crisis to crisis and is stumbling along at the behest of MPs like Jacob Rees Mogg, Tory politics at the moment reminds me of the final days of John Major’s government. We need to be on standby, I know the Labour Party is ready for whenever the General Election may be called, lets hope it is sooner rather than later.

    Towards the end of July the government announced it will raid the already under funded budgets of schools, hospitals, prisons, police services and armed forces for what amounts to a real terms pay cut for many of our public servants who work in them. The Tories continue to cut these services and the pay settlement that they announced will also mean further real terms pay cuts for our police officers, some teachers, doctors and dentists as inflation runs at 2.4%.

    The Government needs to get its act together when it comes to pay settlements – they need to be properly funded, Theresa May cannot expect me to raid what little reserves I hold for emergencies or headteachers to spend the full school budget with no room for contingencies. Let me say loud and clear, our police officers, police staff and all public servants deserve a pay rise and I want that to happen and the government needs to ensure they fund it by making the money available. The government have shown (again) that they don’t believe that officers are worthy of the recommendations of the independent pay review body, and the announcement is another real-terms cut to officers pay. I am annoyed that the Home Secretary is threatening yet more cutbacks to front line policing as he won’t pay for the increase.

    I will take this battle to the very heart of government, I will continue to do what ever I have to do to get the very best deal for our police officers and staff – however, on the past record of the Tory government I suspect not much will change. I had hoped that as the new Home Secretary’s brother is a senior police officer he knows the value of funding properly our police service.

    Our schools, prisons, hospitals and police have faced the brunt of Tory austerity, our public servants are over worked and under paid. Something has to change and I sincerley hope it will be a change of Prime Minister. Labour has committed to not accepting any pay deal that cuts the salaries of our public sector employees and starves the public services that we all rely upon of the funding they need. Labour’s manifesto at the last election pledged to end the cap and budgeted for above inflation pay increases for public sector workers. Under Labour, public sector pay will be set by genuinely independent pay review bodies or through collective bargaining.

    Our values are the right ones for our country, we need that General Electon to make it happen.

  • Why MP Chope was wrong…….

    As June comes to a close, we have seen the Tories losing control through the actions of Sir Christopher Chope MP – he shouted out the word “object” which stopped the bill to make upskirting a specific sexual offence under English law. His reason for stopping the bill, was that he wasn’t aware of the detail. That’s his problem, Chope is a prolific objector to Private Members Bills – this particular bill had the support of his own government, however,he used the feeble excuse that as a Minister supported the bill, it didn’t need to be brought to the House through a private members’ bill.

    I’m afraid that Chope is wrong, the second reading of a bill is the stage at which the Commons should approve its general principles, with scrutiny on its detail at a later stage. Of course, there may be discussions to be had about the precise drafting of the bill, but the general principle of criminalising upskirting is not is dispute. Chope should hang his head in shame and offer every woman an apology for his actions – thankfully there is another opportunity for the bill to progress in July, let’s hope Chope is on constituency business that day!

    Not content with scuppering one bill, he continued to do it to five or six others – including “Finn’s Law”. I wrote to the Justice Secretary back in March urging him to support “Finn’s Law”, which the Environment Secretary had agreed to do. The bill would protect police horses, police dogs and guide dogs from attack and ensure those who attack service animals are jailed for up to five years. However, the bill was blocked as Chope stated his objection – only he knows his logic in taking this action. Thankfully, fingers crossed, it will pass on July 6th.

    Mental health is something that can affect us all at some stage and it’s important that support is in place for those who may need extra help. I wanted my office to show a positive attitude to employees and job applicants with mental health issues, I was therefore delighted to sign up the OPCC to become a mindful employer.

    At least 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their life. A survey by Mind revealed that nearly 9 in 10 (87 per cent) emergency services staff and volunteers surveyed have experienced stress, low mood and poor mental health at some point while working for the emergency service.

    As a signatory of the Mindful Employer charter, organisations should work towards ensuring that all staff involved in recruitment and selection are briefed on mental health issues and The Equality Act 2010, and given appropriate interview skills. Equally, all line managers should have information and training about managing mental health in the workplace.
    Even though we are a relatively small office, it’s important that we make an ongoing commitment to the well-being of our team and those who apply to work with us. That’s why we’ve signed up to the Mindful Employer charter. I’m serious about giving our employees access to help and support they may need, when they need it.

  • Emily Wilding Davison’s Birthday

    Emily Wilding Davison

    Emily Wilding Davison

    Emily Wilding Davison was born on 11th Oct 1872, she was one of the most famous suffragettes – she defied the odds many times, she stood up for what she believed in, even when women could not gain a degree from Oxford University, her result exam result was a first class honours.

    Emily believed in the rights of women, Victorian society wasn’t the best place for articulate, clever women – in fact any women – to progress. The fact that all woman were denied the right to vote drove her on. Emily had a battle on her hands to convince those in power – especially when the monarch (Queen Victoria) did not believe that women should involve themselves in politics, which was ironic when you think she had regular audiences with the Prime Minister, was informed about crucial and critical matters of state and she oversaw Britain’s great empire.

    Emily was angered by discrimination and the fact that women were not treated equal to men. She has rightly taken her place in history. She spoke up for women, she wanted to bring about change and she paid the ultimate price following injuries she sustained at the 1913 derby.

    Moving on just over hundred years since her death, women still have many challenges – which I am sure Emily would be at the forefront of championing. She would be a strong campaigner for women’s rights, she would want us all – men and women to unite to tackle violence against women and girls. I hope that she would be proud that it was our region that established the first regional violence against women and girls strategy, in partnership with my PCC colleagues, Barry Coppinger and Ron Hogg.

    The strategy sets out how we will provide support to those who suffer domestic and sexual abuse, we have better trained officers and superb after care and we will do everything we can to bring perpetrators before the courts. As we mark Emily’s birthday, I am confident that she would be on our side, she would be a strong advocate of ending violence against women and girls.

    As we say thank you to Emily for her commitment to getting women the vote, lets join together to end violence against women and girls now, so future generations don’t have to fight a battle that should be consigned to history.

  • The Tories are letting domestic abuse victims down. Read more here –

    The Attorney General shouldn\’t preen himself in the press for his recent success in lengthening too short jail sentences for robbers and burglars (Times & Telegraph both 24.8.16) Instead he should tackle the unduly lenient sentences handed out for domestic abuse – as the Tories’ election manifesto pretended they would.

    In a typical case at Teesside Court, a long term abuser got one year’s suspended prison sentence, for violently attacking his partner to stop her leaving him. He bit her on the face, put a knife to her neck, squeezed her throat until she choked, threatened to scald her and use a pellet gun to ‘shoot you through your eye and into your brain’ and fired a pellet into her foot. He threatened to ‘torch’ her house if she called the police. The victim’s personal statement described this treatment as ‘life changing’. She was so scared when he was freed that she was forced into hiding, in effect being imprisoned instead of him. The defendant said on Facebook ‘The c— didn\’t win, I’m free’

    In eight other cases, the same judge gave suspended sentences to similar culprits, whilst another court, in a single month, freed seven convicted abusers. They included a man who pushed his victim so hard that she hit her head on the ground and another who went to his ex-partner’s home and squeezed her throat until she blacked out.

    The Director of a domestic abuse charity describes colleagues nationwide as “constantly frustrated by the sentences given to men who beat women up” Domestic abuse is at epidemic levels in England and Wales. Two women are killed by their partner or ex-partner every week; on average the police receive an emergency call relating to domestic abuse every 30 seconds; domestic abuse-related crime is 8% of total crime and domestic cases are 14.1% of all court prosecutions. 92.4% of defendants are male, 84% of victims are female and 16% are male. Notwithstanding these startling figures, Women\’s Aid still estimates that only one in five abuse victims complain to the police, so that the actual prevalence of domestic abuse is hugely higher than these numbers suggest. Of those that do complain to the police, the majority won’t support a prosecution. Many give as their reason, unsurprisingly, a lack of faith in the courts.

    The Conservative manifesto undertook to ‘prioritise tackling violence against women and girls’ and, seemingly to confront this issue, promised that;-

    ‘ To tackle those cases where judges get it wrong, we will extend the scope of the Unduly Lenient Scheme, so a wider range of sentences can be challenged’

    Yet nothing has happened. The right for someone affected by an unduly lenient sentence to ask the Attorney General to challenge it in the Court of Appeal applies only to a small list of criminal offences. Typical domestic abuse crimes are not on the list. So whilst people can ask for a review of low sentences for burglary and robbery neither victims, domestic abuse charities, the police, nor the Crown Prosecution Service can – thanks to the Tories failure to act – do anything about sentences which don’t reflect the harm caused to the victim, the perpetrator’s culpability or the wider damage caused to society from the prevalence of domestic abuse.

    If the government kept its word, there would be plenty of ammunition to bring change. These cases fly in the face of Guidelines made for the judges by the Sentencing Council. The Council’s role is to consult the public and produce Guidelines so that there is a consistent approach to sentencing for the same offences in different courts. In 2006, the then Labour Home secretary Charles Clarke asked for a definitive guideline on domestic abuse and the one produced shows an impressive grasp of the issues that judges should, long ago, have learnt from. For instance, the Guideline recognises that ill treatment of a domestic partner involves a breach of trust so that it generally deserves a heavier sentence than the same offence against an unconnected person. It also acknowledges that having a good character, -which would usually mitigate a sentence – shouldn’t do so in domestic abuse cases because:

    ‘One of the factors that can allow domestic violence to go unnoticed for lengthy periods is the ability of the perpetrator to have two personae, a violent one and another so…an offender’s good character in relation to good conduct outside the home should generally be of no relevance’

    The Teesside case neatly demonstrates how that level of understanding is missing from the courts – the judge’s reason for suspending the prison sentence and freeing the defendant was, precisely contrary to this guideline, that he had a good character.

    Victims who have been coerced and undermined by an abusive partner often fear that they will not be taken seriously or even believed and, historically, that is what has happened. Nowadays, Police and charities work hard to overcome that fear and to instil the confidence to support a prosecution but their efforts are undermined by sentences that, indeed, appear not to take domestic abuse seriously. What is urgent is that the courts condemn domestic abuse and reject any residual cultural acceptance there may be for it by dealing with it, on behalf of society, unequivocally as a serious wrong.

    On an Attorney General’s application, the Court of Appeal would certainly reinforce the Guidelines, compelling the Sentencing Council’s insight into the dynamics of domestic abuse onto those judges who lack it and expressing that condemnation themselves. But, they can\’t, because that great egalitarian Theresa May has neglected to change the law as she promised. Not for the first time in the domestic abuse arena, the Tories have let victims down.

  • PCC Vera Baird steps into the ring to praise the work of local sports group

    Special guest Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird, was welcomed to Dunston Teams Amateur Boxing Club to see first-hand the excellent work being undertaken by the voluntary sporting group.

    Since starting in 2012, the club now has 50 members and has become a hub for the local community – providing a place for young people to exercise, learn new skills and socialise.

    Especially for Vera Baird’s visit, members held an exhibition where they showcased a range of training activities, sparring and pad work.

    Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird, said: “I was delighted to be invited along to Dunston Teams Amateur Boxing Club to see first-hand the valuable work undertaken by the team. Forming this club was a great idea and it is clearly having a positive effect on the local community. I met a fantastic bunch of young people who spoke very highly of the club, its leaders and the positive opportunities it brings. It really is making a difference and I look forward to seeing this success continue in the future.”

    Head Coach at the club, Ernie Blenkiron, said: “We’re very proud of everything the club and its members have achieved and it was a pleasure having Ms Baird along to see our facilities – we’re very grateful of her support for the work we’re doing. Boxing is based on discipline and respect – an ethos we aim to promote through our club. We are working hard to promote our boxing and fitness classes ensuring they are accessible to people of all abilities so that everyone in the community can enjoy them. Whatever your background and whether you’re young, old, male, female – everyone is welcome along.”

    Constable Neighbourhood Beat Manager, Ryan Mark, said: “For me, this club ticks all the boxes – it provides youngsters with a sense of belonging and promotes a healthy lifestyle and respectful values. This club demonstrates such great community spirit and is a place where youngsters can come together and take part in sport in a safe environment, off the streets and reducing anti-social behaviour. As an officer, it\’s the perfect place for me to come down and engage with youngsters. We can chat in an informal setting and I believe it really helps build a sense of trust and to break barriers. It is always fantastic to come along and see what a fantastic job the volunteers are doing.”

  • The Crack – North East Magazine, April 2016

    Delighted to feature in the April edition of “The Crack” magazine, in the article I talk about my achievements as Police & Crime Commissioner, my priorities and even what my favourite police tv programme is – get your copy today!

  • 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.”

  • Vera Baird speaks of commitment to stamping out Modern Day Slavery

    Police arrest a man in connection with Modern Day Slavery in Blyth.

    The arrest follows an on-going investigation by the Blyth Neighbourhood Policing Team into reports of people working without payment and living in squalor in private accommodation in the town.

    On Tuesday, March 15, a 44-year-old man was arrested for assault and Modern Day Slavery. He has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

    The activity forms part of Operation Merlin – an initiative ran by the Blyth Neighbourhood Policing Team to protect the most vulnerable in the community and work with partners to provide help for residents who need it the most.

    Modern Day Slavery includes a person being exploited through domestic servitude, sex trafficking and forced labour.

    Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird said: “We will not tolerate the enslaving of anyone. Everyone has the right, and is entitled to be free. Here in Northumbria we are fully committed to stamping out all forms of modern day slavery and human trafficking, and this arrest proves that we will take swift and direct action where any such offences are suspected to be taking place.

    “It’s important people realise that these offences can happen on our doorstep, right here in the North East, and we need to ensure people caught up in these terrible situations have access to the help and safety they need.

    “I urge anyone with any concerns to seek help – our officers will offer full support and bring offenders to justice.”

    Chief Inspector, Nicola Musgrove, said: “Safeguarding vulnerable children and adults is a key priority for us and we are committed to minimising harm in communities.

    “Modern day slavery is a hidden crime and can happen anywhere, in all sections of the community and we investigate reports of this nature thoroughly.

    “This arrest is a direct result of community intelligence and we urge people to look out for potential victims and if you are concerned or have any suspicions to contact police straight away.

    “Our enquiries are ongoing and I would urge people to be vigilant and if something doesn’t look or feel right I would ask them to contact us.

    Anyone who may have concerns is asked to contact police on 101 or alternatively Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

  • “PAY UP” says Police & Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird QC.

    Northumbria’s Police & Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird has insisted that Conservative Chancellor, George Osborne must pay back over £1 million pound to Northumbria Police.

    Mr Osborne has been reprimanded by an official statistics watchdog – after he cut police funding for Northumbria despite promising not to.

    The Tories also used the council tax precept by planning a budget that included an assumption local residents in Northumbria would pay £5 a year more for their policing with no consultation with local people, police & crime commissioners or council leaders.

    PCC Vera Baird, said: “All of Osborne’s bravado last year was hot air – we knew at the time he had cut police budgets and this has been confirmed by the UK Statistics Authority. The government manipulated the figures, assumed a council tax increase of £5 to just maintain the services. The Police Grant that we receive from government is less, it’s wrong that the government forced the police to keep services at their current level by imposing a £5 increase with no consultation.”

    Here in Northumbria, police funding is made up of a grant from central government and the police precept element of the council tax. The government put their funding package together including a £5 increase. Forces then have money taken off them through “top slicing”, this is where money is used to pay for national schemes.

    Vera Baird added: “In relation to the Police Precept, it is normally the role of police & crime commissioners to determine an increase, if at all. This time the government put in place the £5 increase – if this amount had not been included, our police force would have received even less funding. Northumbria has also had £1.2 million directly removed and I want it back. I want this money to invest in policing to ensure we keep bobbies on the beat and that Northumbria remains one of the safest places in the country to live.”

    Vera Baird will be meeting the Shadow Home Secretary, Andy Burnham and the Shadow Policing Minister, Jack Dromey, to urge them to keep the pressure on the Chancellor , to get him to correct the record and find the extra money to honour his promise.

    Since 2010, Northumbria Police budget has been cut by the Tories and Lib Dems by more than £100 million, this has resulted in the force loosing 861 police officers and nearly 1000 police staff.