DAME Vera Baird has been given an award for improving how workplace’s support employees suffering domestic abuse.

Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner was awarded the Suzy Lamplugh National Trust Safer Workplace Award at a ceremony held in London on Thursday.

She was praised for making personal safety a key part of her Violence Against

Women and Girls strategy, which was launched three years ago.

There is now a network of 650 champions throughout the force area, available to help anyone being abused.

Dame Vera said: “Tackling domestic abuse is incredibly important to me and the main objective of this work has been to reach as many people as possible, raising awareness and highlighting the help and support that’s available.”