HoggWatch
Putting victims first in County Durham and Darlington
WINTER 2017 MAGAZINE
Meet Libby, the new Young PCVC, representing young people's views
Thousands joined in to celebrate our local Superheroes
New mental health service supports vulnerable people
Awards and competition winners announced!
Contents
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PCVC Ron Hogg
Welcome to my latest magazine, which features service improvements around mental health, ongoing work in the community to reduce reoffending and hear a story from a victim of crime who talks about their journey to recovery. I am delighted to introduce Libby, this year's Young PCVC. She is working hard to represent the views of young people.
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Introducing the new Young PCVC Whinfield have a winner! Ongoing work to reduce reoffending Congratulations to Checkpoint Navigator, Mark Lowery! A day in the life of... A Checkpoint Navigator Role of the Police and Crime Panel
Stop loan sharks
Police & Crime Panel
Update from Community Peer Mentors A victim's Restorative Justice story Staff update: Meet Jodie Don't get bit by a loan shark
Meet Jodie
Celebration of Local Superheroes Spotlight on: mental health services This year in numbers
Reducing reoffending
And you may have heard about police funding in the news recently. As I write this, I don’t know how much money the Government intends to give Durham Constabulary next year. When the Home Secretary comments that police forces should use their reserves, my response is that any reserves which the Force has are already earmarked to pay for things which the Government hasn’t funded in the past. My letter to the Chancellor, shown here, makes the case for fair funding for policing. Please view my website for more:
www.durham-pcc.gov.uk
Ron Hogg
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Police, Crime and Victims' Commissioner for Front cover; Ron with the winners of the Ron Hogg cup, Durham Police County Durham and Darlington
Volunteer Cadets at the Celebration of Local Superheroes.
Meet your new Young PCVC Libby Wright
A new Young Police, Crime and band, giving young people Victims’ Commissioner has been confidence and a stake in elected to represent young people society in County Durham and Darlington. • 7 fun sessions involving Libby Wright, a 17 year old motorbike activities, such as student from Stanley, was elected graphic design for motorbikes by Police Cadets in September. and looking after motorbikes. The sessions will be aimed at Libby was given a fund of young people who have been £10,000 from Ron and an in trouble additional £10,000 from the • a series of projects for High Sheriff Caroline Peacock. disabled teenagers, looking at On 20 November she chaired topics such as alcohol, drugs, a committee meeting of Police bullying, and hate crime Cadets and Mini Police at • youth club sessions to help Darlington Town Hall to decide young people learn to be safe what projects would be funded.
when using the internet
Libby said: “I’m pleased that the Committee has funded some projects which will make a real difference to people’s lives. I really want to give young people a voice during my time as Young PCVC and I will continue to ask how the Police, and other service providers, are prioritising the things which young people feel strongly about”. On 23 November Libby took on the duties of Ron as part of Takeover Challenge. During her Takeover Challenge Day, Libby spent time with the Police and Crime Panel and met the Chief Constable and asked him challenging questions about the work the police do fo young people. Watch Libby's questions on the DurhamPCC Youtube account.
They agreed to fund the following projects: • a website for schools, to help teachers plan lessons on topics such as road safety, internet safety and reducing crime • a project to enable young people to be Chief Constable Mike Barton and YPCVC Libby involved in a samba
Whinfield have a winner!
Ten year old Maddi Dinsdale from Whinfield Primary School in Darlington is the winner of Ron's Christmas Card Competition. We received over 700 entries this year, with some schools submitting entries from every pupil. Ron said: "Congratulations to Maddi for her creative design. With so many excellent entries it was hard to pick a winner, but
Maddi’s design captured this year’s theme of ‘Staying Safe on Winter Nights' perfectly. It really showed that she had thought about the environment and how to stay safe.” Ron surprised Maddi with a medal, certificate, gift voucher and a pack of Christmas cards showing her winning design, during her assembly on 13 November 2017.
Ron and Maddi with the winning design
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The allotment project Initially set up as a Community Garden in Spennymoor for the public, the allotment project has been running since January 2016. The allotment was under-used, which is when the Integrated Offender Management Unit (IOMU) stepped in. The scheme enables people who have previously offended to develop their skills by assisting in the upkeep of the allotment and to carry out any repairs, as part of their involvement in the IOMU scheme. Every Monday between 9:30am and 2:00pm, the IOMU selects offenders from across County Durham to participate in the project. The allotment has a large
Reducing
PC Simon Hehir, Jason Bolingbrooke, Ron Hogg PCVC, Diane Patterson (Peer Mentor), Paul Seymour, Cassie Sugden, Denise Brooksbank (IOMU Volunteer), PC Mark Pheasant.
amount of space, which is used to grow vegetables. Any excess vegetables are also provided to local food banks. A recent ongoing project on the allotment was to design and build a sensory garden. This is underway and will provide a facility for local disabled children to come and relax. Thanks must
be given to both Spennymoor Town Council and to Durham Agency Against Crime, which provided funding to complete these projects. One offender commented: "If it wasn't for the opportunity of getting involved in this allotment, I'd be back in prison by now."
My name is Dianne Patterson and I am a mentor for people who commit crime, and I have worked with them for the last 13 years. I help to stabilise their chaotic lifestyles and to stop them reoffending, which in turn reduces the number of victims of crime. I work in the Integrated Offender Management Unit alongside Police Officers, Probation
Officers and others to address the causes of their offending, such drugs & alcohol, housing issues and employment. I encourage diversionary activities such as the allotment, to enable the offender to give something back to the community, and gain meaningful skills at the same time.
Congratulations to Checkpoint navigator, Mark Lowery! This work has resulted in a reduced reoffending rate. Helen Attewell, Chief Executive of Nepacs, said: “Our Nepacs awards are a way of paying tribute to the resilience and determination of staff and volunteers working within Mark has been assigned to over the criminal justice system who inspire 100 individuals offering low and medium level offenders alternatives hope for a better future in the people they work with, as well as offering to prosecution, addressing their Nepacs patron The Rt Revd Paul Butler behaviour and the underlying causes. practical support and help.� (L) presenting Mark with his award Mark has been awarded by North East charity Nepacs, for his efforts in reducing reoffending with prisoners, ex-prisoners and those sentenced to community punishments.
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reoffending
Checkpoint - How does it work?
‘Checkpoint’ is a programme which aims to reduce the number of victims of crime by reducing reoffending, which will also make all our communities safer places to live and work. People are often motivated to commit crime due to underlying issues in their lives – these could include drug or alcohol misuse, mental and physical health issues, housing or homelessness, or problems to do with money or relationships. Checkpoint offers eligible offenders a 4-month long contract
to engage as an alternative to prosecution. The contract offers interventions to address the underlying reasons why they committed the crime. The aim is to prevent them from doing it again to somebody else. Since the start of the programme, over 1200 people have received a Checkpoint intervention. The Randomised Control Trial ends in December 2017. The Chief Constable recently announced that Checkpoint will expand in 2018.
A day in the life of... A Checkpoint Navigtor Mark Lowery tells us about the searches, attending multi-agency meetings and any other action average day of a Checkpoint that is required to meet the Navigator... My day starts with a visit to the custody office to check for any new referrals, and discuss eligibility of offenders currently in custody. New referrals are then allocated and I would carry out background research to get as much information as possible about the individual and ensure the correct referral processes have been done. The day then varies from assessing new clients in order to establish critical pathways and identifying solutions to help stabilise their lives. I attend regular appointments with clients and support them in accessing services such as housing providers, food banks, benefits, GP appointments, drug and alcohol providers or debt advisors. I also facilitate them in arranging voluntary work, job
to come on Checkpoint as it has made me more aware about myself and kept me free from any client’s needs and improve their convictions." situations. The Checkpoint Navigator role No day is the same and being never has two days alike. flexible is a key part of my role, You are able to spend quality time especially with more complex with your clients which I find is clients who require additional quite uncommon in the Criminal support. Sometimes, a navigator Justice System but achieves so is the only person in their life who much. helps and supports them. There is a lot of flexibility within As well as all that, I also attend the role, you manage your own training sessions in mental health, workloads in a way that suits you safeguarding or CPD sessions in and your colleagues. order to continuously improve I find that there is a lot of job my knowledge to benefit the satisfaction in this role and I love Checkpoint programme further. it. One client of mine said: Navigators Mark Lowery and Lynne Birchall "I have learnt by my mistake and I am now conscious of how I behave in public, when I have a drink of alcohol. The whole process has made me stop in my tracks and think of other people that are around me. I am glad that I was given the opportunity
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Checks & Balances - role of the Police and Crime Panel The Police and Crime Panel is the public body which scrutinises, reviews and supports the work of the Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner. It is made up of local Councillors and two independent members, and meets a few times a year to discuss the work of the PCVC and to ask questions of him and his staff. The meeting is open to the
public, and the agenda, minutes and papers are published on Durham County Council’s website. At the most recent meeting, on 26th October, they discussed the PCVC’s work on improving the
local criminal justice system, the Checkpoint diversion scheme, the rise in recorded crime, and the Policing Precept. They also receive reports about the key decisions which the PCVC has taken, all of which are published on Ron's website. The discussion is always lively and provides a real opportunity for the PCVC to explain his work and for local representatives to keep him on track!
Front Row - Cllr Mamie Simmons, Cllr Lucy Hovvels (Chair), Cllr Pauline Crathorne and Mr Nick Cooke Back Row – Cllr David Regan, Cllr Allan Bainbridge, Cllr Brian Jones, PCVC Ron Hogg, Mr Derek Dodwell and Cllr David Boyes
Chair of the Panel, Cllr Lucy Hovvels MBE, said: "The panel has a positive and constructive relationship with the PCVC and we’re committed to working with the commissioner to keep people safe and provide the very best service to the communities of County Durham and Darlington.”
Community Peer Mentors - more recognition for award-winning scheme!
Inspirational people from across Durham Constabulary were honoured at an annual award ceremony in October. Twelve of the best projects were showcased at the Force’s annual Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) Conference,with one being crowned the overall winner by a panel of judges. Congratulations go to Community Peer Mentor Coordinator, Jim Cunningham, and PCSO Andy Raby, who took home the overall crown for their project.
They won for their problem solving initiative of partnership working between the Community Peer Mentors, Police and other agencies. They solved neighbourhood issues, that over a period of time, had escalated to such an extent that the lives of those involved had a negative and adverse effect on their physical and psychological wellbeing. Commenting on the success of the Community Peer Mentor scheme, Jim said: "To date we have trained nearly 100 volunteers to become Mentors and have hosted training in Darlington, Spennymoor, Bishop Auckland, Durham and Peterlee. In the New Year we are also planning to move further north, to Chester le Street and Stanley areas. Evaluations have been extremely positive to date, demonstrating that the training has helped volunteers to support vulnerable and isolated individuals in our communities."
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(L-R) PCSO Andy Raby, Chief Constable Mike Barton and Jim Cunningham at awards ceremony
Restorative Justice can help victims Staff update: Meet Jodie move on with their lives Hi I’m Jodie, I Laura is a victim of crime who has benefited from working with the Restorative Hub, and meeting the man who carried out the offence.
I’m safe in my house. I was in a mess but now I can be happy”.
PCVC Ron Hogg is a strong supporter of restorative After the crime took place, Laura approaches. He said “The impact found it really hard to leave her of taking part in restorative justice house. “The doors were all closed. is personal to each victim. Many I never left the room” she recalls. feel a great sense of relief after meeting their offender, as if a After talking to her partner weight had been lifted from their and the support team at the shoulders, and they are able to Restorative Hub, Laura decided get on with their lives.” she should meet her offender, who was in prison at that point. Visit the Durham PCVC YouTube “I was really nervous before the account to watch a video meesage meeting, but I became more from Laura. positive when I met him”. She More information can be found at www. found that the meeting really helped. “I stood up mentally. Now restorativehub.org.uk
started working for Ron as an Apprentice in August 2014.
Initially I was responsible for looking after the post, responding to emails and general enquiries both from the members of the public and internal customers. In August 2015 I was offered a permanent job as the Office Assistant, and then 12 months later I progressed to PA for Ron and Alan Reiss, Chief of Staff. Every day is different. I am responsible for the day to day running of the office ensuring both Ron and Alan know where they are due to be every day.
DON'T GET BITTEN BY A LOAN SHARK THIS CHRISTMAS! The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) are working with partners to steer residents away from borrowing from loan sharks in the lead up to Christmas. A loan shark is someone who lends money illegally without the correct authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority.
next vulnerable person to exploit.
It’s easy to fall in to the grip of a loan shark; they seem like friendly people at first, someone who you might refer to as a close neighbour or colleague. But this behaviour soon changes once money is owed.
Usually no paperwork is given so people are left in the dark, not Christmas is a prime time for knowing how much money is owed loan sharks. Residents might find or the amount of interest they are themselves short of money during being charged on the loan. This has the festive season, but borrowing involved victims being subject to from a loan shark could result in intimidation, threats and violence, paying back significantly more with leaving many frightened to leave extortionate interest rates. These their own home. criminals are swimming around on housing estates, looking for the It can sometimes be scary to ask for
help, however the England Illegal Money Lending Team’s telephone hotline 0300 555 2222 are there to help, not judge, and can be spoken to anonymously and in confidence. They will let you know what your options are so you can decide what to do.
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PCVC's Celebration of Local Superheroes 2017 MORE than 10,000 people came out to celebrate the work of their local "superheroes" at the PCVC’s Celebration of Local Superheroes at Locomotion in Shildon. County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, the RNLI and Durham Police were just some of the 58 different organisations represented.
1937 Wolseley police car which was brought along by 77-year-old David Bellsham after he spent four years and £20,000 restoring it to Evelynn Johnson, two, policeman Jack Vasey, six, and paramedic its former glory. Sophie Lloyd, seven. Many donned their favourite Inside the museum there Ron said: "It's about engaging superhero costumes and took part were also activities for all with with the community across the in charity challenges throughout competitions and information generations. the day. stands from the likes of the “When we first ran it we did not Neighbourhood Watch. Highlights included the fire service's crane which gave people The fancy dress competition also really know how it would turn out but it has gone from strength to an aerial view of the event. caused excitement as children strength.” flocked to be judged by PCVC Members of the Police Mrs Peacock said she was Ron Hogg, the Lord Lieutenant Interceptors also stole the show “absolutely blown away” by the of Durham, Sue Snowdon, the and gave children the chance to High Sheriff of Durham, Caroline event. sit in their high-speed cars and motorbikes which feature on the hit Channel 5 show. Lovers of vintage vehicles were also treated to seeing a restored
Peacock and Young Police, Crime “I don’t think there can be any and Victims' Commissioner, Libby police force in the country that Wright. connects more with its local community.” The winners included spider
Mrs Snowdon echoed Mrs Peacock and said she was especially impressed with the young people who she said were “superb ambassadors” for the county.
Police Interceptor Spike during his impromptu bike show
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PC Mike Fisher (Spike), of the Police Interceptors, said he was “humbled to have my name in the same sentence as the word superhero” but said he and his colleagues were just “normal everyday working guys” and wanted to continue to build a closer relationship with the public.
Tug of war cadet challenge For the Cadet Challenge this year we had wolsingham School Cadets vs. Durham Police Cadets. Durham Police Cadets took the Ron Hogg cup for the first time! Wellbeing for Life The Wellbeing for Life team had a great time at the event. Check out their amazing outfits! RNLI The RNLI brought their speedboats and let the lucky visitors have a go (on dry land, not the sea). CPR training A Wolsingham Cadet teaches a visitor how to perform CPR.
VIP guests We were joined on the day by VIP guests Lord Lieutenant of Durham, Sue Snowdon, and the High Sheriff of Durham, Caroline Peacock. Mini Police Search for 'Durham pcc' on our social media pages to see more about the PCVC's Celebration of Local Superheroes
#CelebrateLocalSuperheroes
We were joined on the day by 25 Mini Police officers, including Eliot Williams, who was a fantastic help all day on the Get Safe Online stand. Thank you to everyone who attended our event!
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Spotlight on: Mental health services, support and campaigns New Street Triage service supports people with mental ill-health
Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust and Durham Constabulary are delivering a new street triage service across County Durham and Darlington, improving support for people with mental illnesses who come into contact with the police. As part of the new service, mental health practitioners face to face assessments and sign-posting for people now work alongside police officers to offer mental who may require support when they come into health advice and guidance, and where necessary contact with officers. attend incidents to assess the mental health of people Ron Hogg said: “We have seen how well other Street who have come into Triage teams have contact with police worked and how they officers. have reduced the The new service numbers of people provides telephone being detained support to patients inappropriately and police officers/ under the Mental staff, as well as Health Act. I have no general mental doubt that our new health and partnership will have mental health act a similar positive information for impact. It will also police officers to help help to free-up police inform them whilst officers to respond to they carry out their duties. The street triage team also other incidents, and provide a better outcome for the attend police call-outs where necessary, to provide people who need help.”
UK-first for the area, as emergency services join forces
In September, County Durham & Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, Durham Constabulary and North East Ambulance Service became the first in the UK to pledge their support to improve the lives of people with dementia. This includes: • Working towards becoming dementia friendly employers to support colleagues who develop dementia, or become carers. • Ensuring front-line staff emergency staff have the necessary awareness, skills and understanding of dementia. • Working with local partners to maintain and improve the safety of people living with dementia, their families and carers.
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A 'garden of respite' used by the elderly and sufferers of dem entia, opened at The Fulforth Centre in Sa criston elderly residen ts and sufferers of Alzh eimer’s and Dementia .
Become a 'Dementia Friend' like Ron and some of his team, or contact Dementia Friends for advice and support
annual side Out', the 'In of s es en ar Raising aw by If U Care tion campaign suicide preven Share
More than 240 people took part in the Alzheimer's Society me mory walk at Beamish in September
s
. .. s r e b m u n n i r a This ye
340 308 215 1276
victims supported by VCAS
Restorative Facilitators/ Community Mediators trained
Restorative Justice Clients
Mediation Clients
743k 103 200 impressions on Twitter
100
trained Community Mentors
press releases by the office of PCVC Ron Hogg
plus community events attended
Overall...
79 1200 600
clients engaged with Community Peer Mentors
people received Checkpoint intervention
incidents the Street Triage team have been involved in
500 8000 200 1000
Durham Constabulary employees received suicide Prevention training from If U Care Share
people attended the PCVC's Celebration of Local Superheroes.
delegates attended Ron's international symposium 'UK Drug Policy: More harm than good?'
year 11 students received road safety awareness sessions through WiseDrive
1800 4166 6474 700 Mini Police Officers
Facebook page likes
Twitter followers
plus entries for Ron's Christmas Card Competition
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Dates for your diary...
Cong r
atula
Ron and his team are out and about this winter to various events in towns and villages across County Durham and Darlington, on: Nov
Dec
29
20
Jan
Jan
ear n-le-w Howde
Chilton
Jan
8
n Shotto Jan
16 rham 18 moor 18
East Du
Spenny
Jan
Jan
10
10
Jan
Jan
ther rham 4 Toge Mid Du
24
nd owns Auckla Three T Bishop
24
le Teesda
tions
Congratulations to all our competition winners from the Celebration of Local Superheroes! as hoe Primary w Daniel from Cox e 'Guess who' the winner of th tion competi
Visit the Events Calendar on Ron's website for details.
International dates...
Rory was the winn er of the road safety sp ot-thedifferenc e!
Dec
03
Dec
05 Jan
27 Don't forget, if you have any feedback about the magazine, whether good or bad, please contact Ron's office, at: Office of the Durham Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner Durham Constabulary HQ Aykley Heads Durham DH1 5TT Tel: 0191 3752001 Email: general.enquiries@durham.pcc.pnn.gov.uk Web: www.durham-pcc.gov.uk
William's RCVA Charlotte from St the winner of Primary School was mpetition the word search co
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