A NORTH-East crime commissioner is to speak at a regional conference tomorrow to highlight the work she has headed to tackle gambling harm.

It comes as Durham Police is preparing to become the first force in the country to sign up to to the Gambling Charter setting out its commitment to work collaboratively to tackle gambling harm in the workplace and the wider community.

County Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen will be a keynote speaker at the North West Gambling Harms Conference, hosted by support charity Beacon Counselling Trust, tomorrow (Wednesday, April 19).

The Commissioner, who is the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners’ (APCC) Joint National Lead on Addiction and Substance Misuse, will deliver a presentation on the pioneering work she has spearheaded nationally and locally to identify and better support those impacted by gambling addiction, including offenders.

It comes as Durham Constabulary prepares to become the first police force in the country to sign up to the Gambling Charter.

The force has implemented a range of new policies including a revised 'unmanageable debt' agreement to ensure gambling harm is central to the force’s approach to staff health and wellbeing.

New advice leaflets and guidance signposting to local help services have been created and health champions have received full-day training to identify and support those impacted by gambling harm.

Additionally, the force’s diversion and rehabilitation team (DART), who form part of the force’s offender management unit and deal with all offenders who are subject of an out of court disposal outcome for their offending, have received training alongside custody staff to help individuals access the help they need to tackle gambling addiction.

Commissioner Allen said: “I’m really proud to share the innovative work underway in Durham to tackle gambling harm as a public health issue.

"These problems must be treated with the same intensity and commitment as alcohol and drug dependency and priority given to support and treatment, all of which is already happening locally.

“At least one suicide a day in the UK is linked to gambling harm. Research shows those most susceptible to harm are often concentrated in disadvantaged and deprived communities, such as the North of England, who already face serious health inequalities.

“I have campaigned for tougher regulation of the sector for some time and this work is beginning to make a difference with a review of gambling laws already underway and tougher penalties for betting companies who act irresponsibility.

"Much more is needed, particularly in response to the emerging threats to children associated with gaming, and it is vital agencies work collaboratively to better understand and respond to these problems.

“Durham Constabulary has taken a leading role, embedding good practice across its polices, systems and support mechanisms to promote the health and wellbeing of employees experiencing gambling harm.

"With my support, it has also pioneered new approaches to ensure offenders get the help they need early doors, recognising gambling harm as one of the drivers of crime.

"Through our example, I hope to inspire other forces and partners to implement positive practices that support employees and those caught in the justice system to overcome their gambling problems and prevent further crisis.”

Research by Public Health England has estimated the economic burden of problem gambling to amount to more than £1.2billion per year.

Problem gamblers are 2.69 times more likely to have visited their GP in the last 12 months with a mental health issue, 8.54 times more likely to be accessing mental health services and 5.53 times more likely to have been a hospital patient within the last three months.

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Commissioner Allen has lobbied for tighter controls to stop the gambling giants exploiting vulnerable people already in the grip of gambling addiction with aggressive marketing strategies.

Alongside calling for greater affordability checks, the Commissioner has campaigned for gambling companies who act irresponsibly to provide financial redress to victims of theft linked to gambling addiction.

She has also fought hard for increased regulations of in-app features in video games such as ‘loot boxes’ following serious concerns they normalise gambling for children.