(Image: Supplied)
County Durham’s police and crime commissioner has hailed a year of “sweeping progress” tackling crime, increasing visible policing and supporting victims.
Joy Allen, who also covers Darlington, made the claim in her newly published 2025/26 annual report, which sets out progress against her Police, Crime and Justice Plan.
The report was presented to the Police and Crime Panel earlier this week.
Ms Allen said: "This report highlights the progress that can be made when victims and communities are placed at the heart of decision-making.
"Safer communities are about people talking openly and honestly about their concerns, and agencies working and acting on these issues to build meaningful solutions.
"I am proud of what we have been able to achieve together."
The report highlights progress in visible policing, victim care and crime prevention.
During 2025/26, 26 extra neighbourhood officers joined patrols across the force area under the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.
A further £1 million funded hotspot policing, delivering 19,519 extra patrol hours in areas plagued by crime, anti-social behaviour and serious violence.
The force answered 94.4 per cent of 999 calls within 10 seconds—nearly five percentage points above the national standard.
The commissioner funded road-safety education for more than 5,000 young people and expanded her Park Safe scheme to 13 schools.
She also lobbied the Government for tougher measures on drink and drug driving and greater protections for young drivers.
In rural areas, the commissioner maintained funding for Rural Watch co-ordinators until 2027 and supplied 20 dedicated WhatsApp devices.
Security upgrades were also funded in Weardale and Consett.
Specialist support and prevention services continued to protect women and girls from violence.
The upgraded Sexual Assault Referral Centre reopened as work continued on dedicated women’s justice services.
Domestic Violence Protection Orders rose by 64 per cent.
The commissioner’s Victim Care and Mentor Service supported more than 4,500 victims, while over 900 officers and staff trained in victims’ rights.
The commissioner invested £530,000 in Salesforce Victim Journey and My Durham Portal to improve information and support for victims.
Ms Allen said: "Public money must be focused on the priorities that matter to local people.
"This is why, throughout the year, you will see bolder measures to crack down on the nuisances and serious criminality bringing misery to our communities in County Durham and Darlington and a greater policing presence where it is urgently needed.
"It is also why you will see more preventative programmes designed to steer young people away from crime and serious violence at the first opportunity and advanced rehabilitation and treatment pathways to support recovery and reduce reoffending when criminality is entrenched."
She also called for more visible policing.
Ms Allen said: "Demand for policing, particularly visible patrols in our communities, is increasing all the time.
"I will continue to work with local MPs and partners to urge this government to provide the funding necessary for 120 police officers, which would take us back to the number we had in 2010.
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"Some forces now have many more than they had in 2010 while some, like Durham, appear to have been forgotten."
The commissioner pledged to keep fighting for victims and communities.
Ms Allen said: "For as long as I have the privilege of serving as Police and Crime Commissioner, I will continue to champion victims, stand up for our communities, scrutinise performance, challenge where improvement is needed and fight for the resources our police service needs.
"This is what every victim and our communities deserve."