In order to fulfil our statutory duty in relation to community safety Durham Police Authority (alongside the Constabulary) works closely with partners, such as local authorities, PCTs, Fire and Rescue and agencies in the criminal justice system to reduce crime and disorder across County Durham and Darlington.
The Authority recognises the potential that partnership working has to deliver improved outcomes for our communities, for better use of resources and value for money. We view partnership working as an essential tool to deliver our vision, which is “to ensure that that policing in County Durham and Darlington is fair, effective and visible”.
Durham Police Authority works along side Durham Constabulary in many partnerships however they have a separate role. The Authority has limited financial resources to offer partnerships, however we can contribute in a meaningful way through our strategic overview of policing and our contributions to partnership projects.
The Authority acknowledges that working in partnership achieves mutual benefit, for both the community and the organisations involved. These benefits include:
- The ability to reach and deliver beyond the capability of individual organisations, as the potential and contribution of each partner is maximised.
- Aids relationship building and creates further opportunity for collaboration.
- Greater value for money and smarter use of resources, including greater access to additional funding.
- Reduces duplication of activity.
- Opportunities to reach a wider audience, including hard to reach groups.
- Aids the development of new and innovative approaches though sharing ideas.
- Provides a mutual support network, along with additional momentum and drive to get things done.
Key Partnerships
The Authority is involved in many partnerships at different levels across county Durham and Darlington. It has a statutory duty in relation to two specific types of partnership, these are:
- Community Safety Partnerships
- Children's Trusts
Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs)
There are two Community Partnerships with in the Authority's area, these are the Safe Durham Partnership and the Darlington CSP.
The Police Authority are one of six responsible authorities who have a statutory duty to work together to form a CSP. They have a duty to work together and to develop and deliver strategies to reduce crime and disorder including anti social behaviour that affects the local environment, as well as the misuse of drugs in their area.
The responsible authorities are:
- Police
- Police Authorities
- Local Authorities
- Local Health Boards in Wales
- Fire and Rescue Authorities
- Primary Care Trusts in England
- Probation Service
Both Community Safety Partnerships draw their priorities from a partnership assessment of the key crime, disorder, substance misuse and anti-social behavior issues across the Force area.
Safe Durham Partnership
Lead Police Authority Member: Mr Peter Thompson
As Safe Durham Partnership covers a vast area the partnership have introduced Local Multi Agency Problem Solving Groups (LMAPs) to ensure local delivery of their strategies. The problem solving groups align to the same areas as the neighborhood policing boundaries.
Darlington Community Safety Partnership
Lead Police Authority Member: Mr Peter Thompson
Darlington Community Safety Partnership is working to ensure that Darlington continues to be a safe place to live and work, and to deliver Darlington's vision of One Darlington: Perfectly Placed. All partners work together to deliver complex projects and support initiatives tailored to help reduce crime and fear of crime in Darlington.
Children's Trusts
Every Child Matters is the mechanism which underpins the Children Act 2004 which is the legislative spine for developing more effective and accessible services focused around the needs of children, young people and families. Children's Trusts are local area partnerships and bring together a variety of partners to deliver the Every Child Matters agenda.
Children’s Trusts' have the a duty to improve across all five of the 'Every Child Matters' outcomes, which are:
- Being healthy
- Staying safe
- Enjoying and achieving
- Making a positive contribution
- Achieving economic well-being
The Police Authority Member representatives for both Darlington and County Durham Children's Trusts are Ms Kathryn Larkin-Bramley and Councillor Garry Huntington.
The County Durham Children’s Trust is chaired by David Williams, Director of Children's Services.
The Darlington Children’s Trust is Chaired by Councillor Cyndi Hughes, who is a Darlington Borough Council Cabinet Member with the Portfolio for Children and Young People.