A police chief has hailed a reduction in anti-social behaviour and stalking incidents to help make communities safer places to live.

County Durham Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Joy Allen, says the force recorded a 10 per cent decrease in anti-social behaviour as well as a reduction in rural crime between 2021-22, as officers continue to crackdown on offending.  

It comes after the PCC invested £830,000 in partnership with Durham Constabulary to tackle neighbourhood crime and prevention. Hundreds more police officers were also recruited between 2021-22.

“I am really proud of the improvements we have made throughout this period to make people safer whether online, in their homes or on our streets,” PCC Allen said.

“I realise many people and partners have contributed to this success and I would like to acknowledge and thank them their support and commitment. The priorities I have set for the force are priorities local people have told me they want addressed.

“Anti-social behaviour remains one of the biggest concerns in our communities and I am really pleased that we have been able to reduce the number of incidents during the year.

“I am confident there is much more success to come. We are in a great position to build on this fantastic start, and I will be doing everything possible, in partnership with my team and wider criminal justice colleagues, to make these improvements happen.

Tackling sexual offences and providing better protection for women and girls was a key election pledge for commissioner Allen, with over £1m pledged across several areas to tackle violence. Stalking offences decreased by 16 per between 2021-22.

Funding worth £600,000 was secured to expand the provision of Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs), while £500,000 was invested from the Government’s Safer Streets Fund.

Among the new initiatives is a Darlington town centre campaign, which encourages men to challenge their mates if they spot disrespectful behaviour toward women.

The new Number Forty facility on Skinnergate offers a safe haven on nights out for residents and visitors, who feel threatened or vulnerable.

The Northern Echo: Volunteers are on hand to provide help, support and advice Volunteers are on hand to provide help, support and advice (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

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Lucy Hatch, Safer Streets Coordinator, said: “Since Number Forty opened, we have supported over 200 different members of the public with a wide range of services and support options.

 “The town has massively benefited from Safer Streets and Number Forty, with taxi drivers, bar owners and door staff more aware of these sorts of behaviours. From there, women are signposted to Number Forty for further help should they require it. Both are working in tandem on this issue.

“Safer Streets Darlington is a vital campaign that is making inroads into stamping out misogynistic behaviours.