Safer and Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Chair's welcome 

We support Safe Durham Partnership in its strategic plan to deliver a day-to-day operational response to issues impacting on our neighbourhoods. These priorities include reducing anti-social behaviour, protecting vulnerable people from harm, reducing re-offending, alcohol and substance misuse harm reduction, counter terrorism and prevention of violent extremism, implementing measures to promote a safe environment and to embed the 'think family' approach to divert the most vulnerable families from offending and anti-social behaviour.

The committee is committed to developing a work programme that will provide challenge and contribute to the delivery of these priority areas with the aim of creating a safer county.  The committee maintains close links with the Police and Crime Panel.

Further information, minutes and agendas for the committee is available on our Safer and Stronger Communities Scrutiny Committee page.

Projects and reviews

Contact us for a copy of the work programme, or reports on our reviews.

Cyber Crime - May 2018

The focus of this review was on partnership work to prevent young people engaging in cybercrime.

Improved Safety in the Home -Safe and Wellbeing Visits - March 2017

The work was undertaken to gain assurance that processes are in place and being delivered through safe and wellbeing visits to improve home safety, reduce risk and improve a person's health and quality of life.

Alcohol and its demand on the emergency services - December 2016

The aim of this report was to gain an understanding of the impact of alcohol related incidents on levels of demand for emergency services within County Durham.

20 mph limits - 2016

The Committee took the lead on the 20 mph limits working group to provide oversight on implementation of part time 20 mph limit schemes at 33 schools within the County and provide comment on the development of a revised policy statement.

Organised crime - 2015

The Committee undertook a review looking at how the police and partners on the Safe Durham Partnership work together tackle organised crime. The review focused on  community intelligence, illegal waste sites and the potential financial risk to the Council.

Neighbourhood Wardens - April 2014

The Council's neighbourhood wardens provide a service to improve the quality of life for residents and reduce the fear of crime. In undertaking their duties, wardens work closely with a number of partner agencies and within this context this review to looked at the impact of partnership activity and raise the profile of the service.

Review of road safety for children and young people - February 2013

The consequences of a road traffic collision can have a major effect on individuals, families and communities. Within this context the committee agreed to establish a working group to look at road safety education initiatives provided by the council and its partners in promoting road safety to children and young people within County Durham: