National award for Durham's anti-social behaviour victims' champion

Andrea Patterson, the first antisocial behaviour (ASB) victims' champion appointed by a police and crime commissioner (PCC), secured the exemplary partnership award in the UK ASB Awards, organised by ASB experts Resolve.

She beat competition from dozens of entries nationwide.

The awards, held at the Crown Plaza in Nottingham, celebrate the efforts of individuals, projects, and organisations within the community safety sector for their work in preventing and addressing ASB.

Ms Patterson was nominated for the award by Durham PCC Joy Allen for her dedication in uniting the two Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) in County Durham and Darlington to establish a unified ASB strategy, as well as other efforts to improve the experience of ASB victims in the criminal justice system.

She also led significant research into the victim's journey throughout the justice system, resulting in a more cohesive response from various agencies, ranging from health and housing to policing and youth justice.

This research has led to the adoption of a new victim-focused strategy based on eight key principles, aiming to prioritise and strengthen the victim's voice.

This collaboration has led to an enhanced support system for ASB victims through the PCC's award-winning Community Peer Mentor scheme, which provides assistance on financial matters, health, and wellbeing.

PCC Allen said: "This is a fantastic accolade to win and richly deserved by Andrea and the wider partnership.

"I am immensely proud of the team's willingness and passion for listening and learning from the experiences of victims to deliver a response that meets their needs in every way."

Ms Patterson said: "I am truly honoured and humbled to receive such an award and would like to thank our PCC and all partners across County Durham and Darlington's Community Safety Partnerships for embracing change and investing further in our ASB victims, placing them at the heart of service delivery."

The partnership has introduced a new three-step approach to tackling ASB, ensuring victims know exactly where to turn for help.

This includes a redesigned case review scheme, allowing victims of ASB who have reported persistent incidents but are dissatisfied with the response they received to hold agencies responsible for resolving their issues.

Durham is believed to be the first force area in the country to invite ASB victims to the case review and allow them to provide statements of the harm they have endured.

The model also allows vulnerable victims to be risk-assessed for a case review, even if they do not meet the agreed threshold of three reported cases in a six-month period.

Other initiatives by the PCC and partners include joint funding of diversionary projects such as Flashpoint, which educates young people on the consequences of ASB through interactive performances in schools, as well as a revamped approach to ASB awareness publicisation.

Durham was also one of the trailblazing forces to participate in the ‘hotspot policing’ pilot nationally, which has resulted in significant reductions in ASB incidents across the county.

Read more: 

• Plans for cafe and outdoor area to revive derelict site of former County Durham baths
• Plans for new home in County Durham village approved by council
• County Durham photographer shines light on 'extra ordinary' children with her art

The PCC and partners launched the ‘Don't Suffer In Silence’ media campaign last year, introducing a new interactive ASB signposting tool directing people to new resources where they can access relevant support, learn about the case review scheme, and report ASB to the appropriate agency.

The campaign also aimed to reduce the number of inappropriate calls to the force by making the system for reporting ASB clearer.

Councillor Jim Garner, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for stronger communities, said: "The case review scheme has given victims a greater voice in how issues are tackled and we're thrilled that it has been recognised with this national award."