Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has made a strong start to the year against her plans to secure better justice for victims and deliver lasting improvements to communities.

A new Performance Report covering the first three months of the financial year (April to June 2026/27) shows the County Durham and Darlington PCC continues to build on an exceptional first year of her Police, Crime and Justice Plan, delivering sustained progress against her six top priorities, as shaped by the public.

In praising the dedication, professionalism and collaboration of police officers, staff, partners and residents, the PCC said a teamwork approach is continuing to lift communities, so they are stronger and more resilient to crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB).

The report, presented to members of the Police and Crime Panel at a recent meeting, documents improvements to the overall support of victims of crime – first and foremost in the PCC’s Plan – through ongoing engagement to amplify the victim’s voice. This includes a Victims Needs Assessment to better understand the experiences of those impacted by serious violence, sexual violence, domestic abuse and ASB.

Further inroads in prevention and early intervention have been made with the PCC continuing to invest in programmes that support vulnerable people and provide practical help to stop individuals committing crime, becoming a victim or reoffending. This includes funding for Street Friends in Darlington – a volunteer-led service staffed by trained paramedics who patrol the town centre during the night and offer medical assistance to those in need – and youth diversion programmes such as BetaWays, helping young people at risk of offending build confidence, resilience and positive life skills.

In May, as a result of her Justice Round the Table project, the Commissioner brought together nationally acclaimed academics, victims’ advocates and justice experts to examine barriers to rehabilitation for women in the justice system. The project explored issues including short prison sentences, prison recalls, trauma and substance misuse, housing, resettlement and drugs in custody. It put forward practical recommendations to reduce reoffending, improve rehabilitation, strengthen continuity of care and support recovery. The work has already influenced women-specific housing initiatives, treatment and recovery programmes, discussions on reducing short custodial sentences, and efforts to better connect housing, treatment and rehabilitation services.

Other key headlines from the report include:

  • Improved public access to policing with a 27% reduction in call wait times and 21% fewer abandoned calls.
  • Enhanced road safety, with Fatal Four offences (drink/drug driving, no seatbelts, mobile phone use and speeding) falling by 15% and strong public engagement through Operation Snap – the portal allowing the public to upload journey cam footage to support the prosecution of illegal drivers.
  • Strengthened criminal justice outcomes through record Drug Testing on Arrest performance (DTOA). Over 70% of eligible individuals screened through DTOA in June – the highest level since the programme began.
  • 3,188 hours spent in priority hotspot areas targeting crime, ASB and serious violence.
  • Eleven new PCSOs joined the team.

Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen said: “”We’ve made a strong start to the year, and that is thanks to the dedication, professionalism and commitment of everyone working to keep County Durham and Darlington safe, including our officers, staff, volunteers, partners and local communities. This report marks the beginning of year two of my Police, Crime and Justice Plan at a time when policing and the wider criminal justice system continue to face increasing pressures, with demand growing in both scale and complexity.

“Despite these challenges, progress remains strong. Over the past quarter we have delivered more visible policing, expanded opportunities for vulnerable people to access support and break the cycle of crime, and invested further in rural crime prevention to protect communities and livelihoods. These improvements are already making a difference. They are helping to build public confidence, ensuring victims receive the support they need and strengthening the foundations laid during the first year of my Plan. By maintaining this momentum, we can continue to create safer, stronger and more resilient communities for the future.”