Named officers now in place on the beat where you live

Named, contactable officers are now in place across every neighbourhood in Durham, providing a more direct link between the public and police to tackle crime.

Tasked with restoring a connection with the communities they serve, these dedicated officers will provide a guaranteed response for local concerns and enquiries. 

Durham Constabulary are also now holding regular public meetings to give residents and businesses a voice on the issues they face, in addition to a dedicated antisocial behaviour lead delivering tailored action plans to tackle these concerns. 

This is a key milestone in the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee – a flagship commitment aimed at returning visible policing to communities.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper saw progress on delivering the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee during a visit to Durham on Monday.

The Home Secretary met Chief Constable Rachel Bacon and Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen to be updated on progress and spoke to community and business leaders during a round table event to discuss efforts to reduce shoplifting and tackle antisocial behaviour.

She then joined officers on patrol around Durham City centre, where 23 persistent offenders have been issued with criminal behaviour orders.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Communities are sick of the antisocial behaviour and shop theft blighting their town centres. There are too many neighbourhoods across the country who simply do not feel safe.  

“A connection between the police and public has been lost for too long but restoring visible officers to our streets and giving communities a proper named contact will rebuild those bonds with the communities they serve”.  

The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee is also now delivering increased patrols in 15 town centres and other hotspot areas across Durham, using local intelligence to protect their high streets from shop theft and violence.

To ensure Durham police gets the support it needs to keep its streets safe, 26 additional neighbourhood officers will be joining neighbourhood policing teams by Spring next year.

Durham Constabulary's Operation Pave led by Inspector Dave Clarke and Sergeant Dan Beardmore from the Durham City Neighbourhood Police Team shows the neighbourhood policing guarantee delivering real results, with high-visibility patrols making 63 arrests, seizing 11 vehicles and reducing shoplifting by 13%.

This targeted approach is working, with crime down 3% overall and officers joining the teams to tackle the issues that matter most to local communities. Every resident across County Durham and Darlington now has a named officer they can contact directly via the force website and works with residents and businesses to develop tailored action plans addressing local priorities.

Durham’s Chief Constable Rachel Bacon said: “Everyone has a right to feel safe in their own community.

“Every single member of the public in every neighbourhood in County Durham and Darlington now has a named officer, who they can contact directly, dedicated to tackling crime and antisocial behaviour where they live.

“We have put more officers on the streets, carried out extra patrols in our town centres, made more arrests and seized more weapons.

“We are seeing results and those officers are making a real difference in our communities.”

James Wilson Durham Markets Manager said: "With over 80 independent businesses trading at Durham Markets, we know how important it is for everyone to feel safe and welcome in the city centre.

“The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee builds on the great work Durham Constabulary already does, giving us a dedicated officer and strengthening the link between our traders and the police.

“Visible, approachable officers mean our traders can focus on their businesses, shoppers can enjoy their visit, and Durham can remain the vibrant, friendly city we’re proud to call home."