CLEVELAND'S embattled police and crime commissioner Barry Coppinger has just announced that he will not be seeking re-election next May.

The decision is a spectacular U-turn for Mr Coppinger, who was defiant in the wake of a damning report last week which branded the force as failing in all areas.

Now he said 'following a weekend of reflection' he had decided not to see re-election.

He said: "I hope this will enable everyone to now get behind the new Chief Constable Richard Lewis and support him as he takes forward robust plans to drive forward improvements."

He added: "It has been a great honour to serve two terms as Cleveland’s first Police and Crime Commissioner and I will always be proud of the work carried out by my Office."

He then went on to list his achievements, which he said included improving services for victims of crime, securing additional funding to support initiatives to address domestic abuse and sexual violence, and 'transforming approaches to offending and reoffending'.

He said he had listened to the public through his 'Your Force Your Voice' programme by attending over 680 community meetings.

And Mr Coppinger added: "Listening is a key point. I am determined that Cleveland Police should better understand its accountability to the public. In my remaining time in office, I will take further steps to increase transparency and accountability – so that the public can see how the Force’s improvement plans are being driven forward.

"Much progress has been made to move Cleveland Police on from unresolved problems dating back four decades. When I first came into office I made a decision to shine a light on what had gone on, to resolve those issues, reforming approaches to standards and ethics so the force could move forward. That did result in negative attention on the force but it was the right thing to do.

"I expect this work to continue so the Chief Constable and the next PCC do not have to spend so much time and energy on dealing with historical wrongdoing.

"It has been a humbling experience to join officers, staff and volunteers working across the force area and to see first-hand the selfless dedication they display in ensuring the safety of the public.  Thank you all for the great work you do.

"I have always argued that the Force must make the best use of the resources available. In my remaining time as PCC, I will ensure that it does so.

The Northern Echo:

"What is also clear is that the Force cannot deliver the level of service the public expect and the level of neighbourhood policing they want, without a reversal of the Government cuts that have taken 500 police officers and 50 PCSOs off our streets. I will continue to hold Government to account to deliver on the promise of the Prime Minister to provide more police officers."

Andy McDonald, Labour MP for Middlesbrough, said: "I am saddened to hear that Barry will be standing down in May, but I fully understand his decision. He’s carried out his duties with great diligence and with personal and professional integrity but undoubtedly the recently published report from HMIC makes very uncomfortable reading and that report has been directly instrumental in his decision.

"The report lays bare the significant and fundamental failures of operational Policing in Cleveland. The force has quickly dropped from a rating of “Good” in 2017 to “Inadequate” in 2019 and ultimately Barry accepts that political responsibility for that rests with him. 

"Sadly this report masks the hugely positive work that Barry has done over the last seven years.

"But the time is right to draw a line in the sand as the recently appointed Chief Constable Richard Lewis has said and, now that he has already started that necessary re-structure of Cleveland Police, it is right prepare the way for a fresh figure in the post of PCC. 

"It’s also right that we all get behind our Police Officers and support them in all the work they do for us."

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen added: “This is long overdue. It’s just so sad that it had to get this bad before action was taken. This decision is clearly the right one for the force and the people of Teesside and will provide the clean break that is so desperately needed if our police force is to improve.

“l’m surprised, however, that Barry hasn’t resigned and will continue to draw his £70,000 salary, which as far as the people of Teesside are concerned is a reward for failure.

“With Barry Coppinger standing down we now have the opportunity to start to rebuild our police force. I’m just concerned that the rot is so bad it may be too late.”