Barry Coppinger

Police & Crime Commissioner

for Cleveland

October 2017 Newsletter

Work begins on new Community Safety Hub

Cleveland Police gets GOOD HMIC rating

Hero Shane Tunney honoured with award

Chief Constable Iain Spittal announces retirement

App to protect

victims of abuse,

stalking and

harassment

PCC marks Hate

Crime Awareness

Week

PCC fights to protect

police numbers

‘YOUR FORCE YOUR VO‘YOUR FORCE YOUR VO‘YOUR FORCE YOUR VOICE’ ICE’ ICE’

MEETING SCHEDULE MEETING SCHEDULE MEETING SCHEDULE Meet Your PCC Meet Your PCC Meet Your PCC

Your Force Your Voice Your Force Your Voice represents the Commissioner’s personal represents the Commissioner’s personal

pledge to attend at least one community meeting in every Cleveland pledge to attend at least one community meeting in every Cleveland

ward each year. Here is a list of upcoming meetings where you can ward each year. Here is a list of upcoming meetings where you can

meet and speak to Barry about local community safety:meet and speak to Barry about local community safety:

Hemlington Community Council Hemlington Community Council

Tuesday 7th November, 18:00, Hemlington Community Hub (Library)Tuesday 7th November, 18:00, Hemlington Community Hub (Library)

Rift House Residents AssociationRift House Residents Association

Monday 27th November, 18:00, Masefield Community BuildingMonday 27th November, 18:00, Masefield Community Building

“As PCC it’s my “As PCC it’s my “As PCC it’s my responsibility to ensure responsibility to ensure responsibility to ensure residents get the best residents get the best residents get the best service from Cleveland service from Cleveland service from Cleveland

Police as possible.Police as possible.Police as possible.

“This is a real challenge when “This is a real challenge when “This is a real challenge when government cuts continue to put pressure on the government cuts continue to put pressure on the government cuts continue to put pressure on the force and the officers tasked with keeping us safe.force and the officers tasked with keeping us safe.force and the officers tasked with keeping us safe.

“I was pleased to hear the government announce a “I was pleased to hear the government announce a “I was pleased to hear the government announce a pay bonus for police officers this month, but was pay bonus for police officers this month, but was pay bonus for police officers this month, but was disappointed to hear that they will not be funding it, disappointed to hear that they will not be funding it, disappointed to hear that they will not be funding it, instead expecting forces to find additional funds instead expecting forces to find additional funds instead expecting forces to find additional funds from their depleted budgets.from their depleted budgets.from their depleted budgets.

“Luckily through various efficiencies and savings, I “Luckily through various efficiencies and savings, I “Luckily through various efficiencies and savings, I can confirm that no police officers in Cleveland will can confirm that no police officers in Cleveland will can confirm that no police officers in Cleveland will lose their jobs in order to meet this additional lose their jobs in order to meet this additional lose their jobs in order to meet this additional expense.expense.expense.

“This month also saw the news that Chief “This month also saw the news that Chief “This month also saw the news that Chief Constable Iain Spittal will retire at the end of the Constable Iain Spittal will retire at the end of the Constable Iain Spittal will retire at the end of the year after 31 years of service.year after 31 years of service.year after 31 years of service.

“He has served with distinction and commitment “He has served with distinction and commitment “He has served with distinction and commitment during his time in Cleveland and North Yorkshire during his time in Cleveland and North Yorkshire during his time in Cleveland and North Yorkshire and I wish him well in his retirement. and I wish him well in his retirement. and I wish him well in his retirement.

“Work to appoint his successor will begin “Work to appoint his successor will begin “Work to appoint his successor will begin immediately and I’m confident we’ll find an immediately and I’m confident we’ll find an immediately and I’m confident we’ll find an exceptional candidate to lead Cleveland Police.” exceptional candidate to lead Cleveland Police.” exceptional candidate to lead Cleveland Police.”

WHAT’S NEW WHAT’S NEW

THIS MONTHTHIS MONTH

Commissioner’s October Commissioner’s October Commissioner’s October updateupdateupdate

PCC supports app for PCC supports app for PCC supports app for victims of abuse and victims of abuse and victims of abuse and stalkingstalkingstalking

Chief Constable Iain Chief Constable Iain Chief Constable Iain Spittal to retireSpittal to retireSpittal to retire

PCC fights to protect PCC fights to protect PCC fights to protect police numberspolice numberspolice numbers

World Mental Health Day World Mental Health Day World Mental Health Day 201720172017

136 people not wearing 136 people not wearing 136 people not wearing seatbelts during seatbelts during seatbelts during campaigncampaigncampaign

PCC supports Hate Crime PCC supports Hate Crime PCC supports Hate Crime Awareness WeekAwareness WeekAwareness Week

HMICFRS report into HMICFRS report into HMICFRS report into Abuse of Position for a Abuse of Position for a Abuse of Position for a Sexual PurposeSexual PurposeSexual Purpose

PCC commits to PCC commits to PCC commits to Restorative Justice in Restorative Justice in Restorative Justice in ClevelandClevelandCleveland

New antislavery network New antislavery network New antislavery network to be launchedto be launchedto be launched Barry Coppinger

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland

PCC supports app to protect PCC supports app to protect PCC supports app to protect

victims of abuse and stalkingvictims of abuse and stalkingvictims of abuse and stalking

Victims of domestic abuse, stalking or

harassment are to receive information on an

app which could help protect them in

dangerous or potentially life-threatening

situations.

The Hollie Guard app was developed by the

parents of hairdresser Hollie Gazzard who

was murdered at work in February 2014 by

her ex-boyfriend.

Hollie, 20, had recently ended their

relationship due to his stalking and harassing

behaviour and in June 2014 he was jailed for

life for her murder.

The app works by sending an alert to a

named emergency contact when the phone is

shaken or tapped. Backed by

Gloucestershire Police (Hollie’s home force)

its other functions include GPS tracking and

the ability to record voice and video – for use

in possible future court prosecutions.

Every Cleveland’s officer has been given

information about the app, and they have

been asked to promote it when discussing

safeguarding with victims of domestic abuse,

stalking or harassment.

The Hollie Guard app can be found at the

Google Play Store, the Apple App Store and

the Windows Microsoft Store. More

information can be found here: http://

hollieguard.com/

Chief Inspector Helen Barker said: “This app

is an excellent tool and it has lots of different

features to help keep users safe.

“The force is taking steps to make sure all our

officers are aware of the app and we are

strongly encouraging them to suggest

vulnerable people - and indeed anyone

concerned for their personal safety - make

use of it.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Barry

Coppinger added: “Protecting those at risk of

or enduring domestic abuse, stalking or

harassment is an absolute priority for me and

I believe this app will be extremely valuable in

supporting victims.”

Chief Constable Iain Spittal retires after 31

years of service

The PCC has paid tribute to the Chief Constable for his work and for

setting the foundations for future success.

After serving the communities of North Yorkshire

and Cleveland for more than 30 years,

Cleveland Police Chief Constable Iain Spittal is

retiring.

Having started his life as a constable with North

Yorkshire Police in 1986, Iain will retire as Chief

Constable of Cleveland Police at the end of

2017 having moved the Force forward

significantly over recent years and paving the

way for his successor.

“When I joined Cleveland Police I came with a

clear vision focused on improving the ability of

the Force to deliver policing, protect our

communities from harm and strengthen those

same communities,” said Iain.

“Throughout my time here I have been

determined in my commitment to move the

Force forward through what have been some

particularly challenging times.

“Her Majesty’s Inspectorate has highlighted

enormous improvements in the Force,

particularly over the last two years. We have

gone from ‘requires improvement’ to being a

Force performing as ‘good’ and continuing to

improve on a journey towards ‘outstanding’.

“Having built these strong foundations for the

future I am firmly of the view that the time is right

for another individual, an individual who will be

able to remain with the organisation through

delivery, to take the Force forward on this

journey.

“It is on this basis, knowing that I am not able to

commit to being Chief Constable on this journey

for the number of years it will require to achieve

‘outstanding’ that I have decided that it is right

that I step down and retire as Chief Constable at

the end of the year.

“I am immensely proud and humbled on a daily

basis as a result of the determination,

commitment and professionalism of those

women and men who are Cleveland Police. It is

they who have enabled such positive steps

forward over recent years and it is they who

should be proud of what they achieve every day.

“Whilst I am sad to retire, I leave secure in the

knowledge that now is the right time and the

legacy I leave hopefully creates the best

possible platform for further improvements over

the years to come.”

Iain was appointed in July 2016 by Police and

Crime Commissioner (PCC) Barry Coppinger,

who has paid tribute to the Chief Constable for

his work and for setting the foundations for

future success.

The PCC said: “Iain Spittal arrived at Cleveland

Police at a time when the organisation faced

enormous challenges both financially and

professionally. He has tackled these challenges

with integrity, dedication and calm

professionalism.

“The progress made has been recognised by

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate, with our grading

now Good and improving. To achieve that at a

time when more than 400 police posts have

been lost and £32m cut from the budget is

testament to the leadership Iain has shown.

“Key to this progress has been the work Iain has

overseen in the reform of professional standards

within the force and the introduction of the

Everyone Matters programme.

“Becoming a national leading force for

standards and ethics is a key commitment in my

Police and Crime Plan. Everyone Matters is the

organisational development programme under

which the Force embeds equality, diversity and

human rights in serving its communities and

supporting its people.

“Both of these transformation programmes are

now firmly embedded within Cleveland Police

and they will continue under Iain’s successor to

ensure officers and staff are treated with respect

and helped to deliver the best possible service

to the diverse communities we serve.

“It is safe to say that Iain leaves Cleveland

Police in far better shape than it was when he

joined. He is widely respected both regionally

and nationally within police circles and also by

local authorities and many other partner

organisations.

“Iain has served with great distinction as both

DCC and Chief Constable here in Cleveland. In

all he has given over 31 years of dedicated

service to the communities of North Yorkshire

and Cleveland.

“In the coming weeks I will launch the

recruitment for the next exceptional Chief

Constable for Cleveland. In the meantime I wish

Iain Spittal all the best in his retirement.”

Arrangements will now be put in place, led by

the PCC, to recruit Iain’s successor.

PCC fights to protect police numbers

Police jobs will not be lost in Cleveland due to

the Government’s unfunded pay award for

officers, thanks to the efforts of the Police and

Crime Commissioner (PCC).

Cleveland PCC Barry Coppinger has criticised

the Government for effectively cutting the police

budget to fund a one off bonus for officers and

has vowed to help Cleveland Police meet its new

commitments without the need for job cuts.

Mr Coppinger believes police officers and staff

should have been awarded a centrally funded

pay rise that better reflected the job they do and

has written to Prime Minister Theresa May urging

her to reconsider what is in effect a cut to police

budgets.

Mr Coppinger said: “It appears the Government

is not providing the funding for this one-off

bonus, which in Cleveland is likely to mean a half

million pound cut to our available budget over the

next year. Instead of robbing Peter to pay Paul,

the Government should recognise the incredible

job that police officers and police staff do and

fund a realistic pay rise."

Mindful of the impact of the unfunded pay award,

the PCC has agreed with Chief Constable Iain

Spittal that this unfunded payment will not result

in job losses. It has been agreed that either

savings within the budgets under the control of

the PCC and/or the use of the PCC’s reserves

will be used to meet the cost.

Cleveland Chief Constable Iain Spittal said:

“When the PCC and I met with the Policing and

Fire Minister earlier in the year, we both stressed

the point that police officers and staff have

experienced real term reductions in their salaries

over the past seven years and that we wanted to

be able to pay them more for the very important

role that they undertake.

“Police officers do a very difficult role and provide

a huge contribution within local communities.

However, we also made sure that we stressed

that any increase beyond the budgeted one per

cent needed to come with additional money. I

would like to thank the PCC for working to

ensure that the money to fund the increase is

found without the need for job losses.”

Barry Coppinger has criticised the Government for effectively cutting

the police budget to fund a one off bonus for officers.

Force and PCC support World Mental Health Day

Cleveland Police has embraced the Blue Light Programme, with a

number of officers and staff becoming Blue Light “Champions”.

Cleveland Police has confirmed its

commitment to supporting staff with their

mental well-being on World Mental Health Day.

Mental Health charity Mind launched its Blue

Light Programme in 2015 after independent

research it commissioned showed emergency

services workers were even more at risk of

experiencing a mental health problem than the

rest of the population but they were less likely

to seek support.

Cleveland Police has embraced the Blue Light

Programme, with a number of officers and staff

becoming Blue Light “Champions”.

These volunteers have focused on learning

more about mental health, challenging the

stigma of mental health, and making positive

changes in their approach to well-being with

the support of the Blue Light Programme

136 People Found Not Wearing Seatbelts

During Campaign

Roads policing officers supported the national campaign led by

TISPOL, the European traffic police network.

136 people, including two children, were

found not to be wearing their seatbelts

during a week-long crackdown.

Roads policing officers across Cleveland

and Durham supported the national

campaign led by TISPOL, the European

traffic police network.

Legislation states that drivers are

responsible for ensuring that suitable safety

restraints are worn by all passengers under

14 years old. Children must use an

appropriate child car restraint for their

weight until they are 135cm tall or reach

their 12th birthday, whichever is first.

As seatbelts do not fit children correctly, an

appropriate child car restraint is needed to

offer the same level of protection as a

seatbelt does for adults. Passengers over

14 years are responsible for wearing their

own seatbelt and can therefore face

prosecution.

PCC supports Hate Crime Awareness Week 2017

Cleveland Police and the PCC for Cleveland are supporting Hate Crime Awareness Week and are reminding people to use the online reporting tool TrueVision at http://www.report-it.org.uk The term ‘hate crime’ refers to any crime against a person which is perceived to be motivated by a person’s hostility or prejudice against certain characteristics including race, religion, disability, sexual orientation and transgender identity. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGB&T) organisation, Hart Gables, is among many organisations across Cleveland who act as a third party reporting centre for those who may be unable or unwilling to report offences directly to the Police. Sarah Lewis, Strategic Development Manager at Hart Gables, said: “We are currently working alongside the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Crown Prosecution Service to develop a set of hate crime booklets for victims which tell the story of a victim’s journey and explores their options so that they have a clear understanding of Police procedures, what happens with the

Crown Prosecution Service and what to expect at court. This has been developed after consultation with the LGB&T community in Teesside. “Hate crime is so widespread it touches the lives of people locally and globally. We would encourage anyone suffering from any form of hate to please come forward and report their incident to Cleveland Police or third party reporting centres.” “In order for us to demonstrate that hate crime is happening in our community, we need people to share their experiences and let the wider community know that hostility towards certain groups of people still exists. Our service offers a one to one support service for anyone dealing with any form of hate. “We are also working in conjunction with the LGB/T Federation to recruit ‘Hate Crime Advocates’ – they are volunteers who will be fully trained to work with victims from within the area and offer further support.”

The Commissioner attended a range of events during the week to raise

awareness of hate crime and how to report it.

PCC Barry Coppinger last year funded new roles within the Police to help those subjected to hate crime. These included a Community Cohesion Coordinator, Refugee and Asylum Seeker Coordinator and two Hate Crime Investigators. All have aided vulnerable victims who have been subjected to hate crime and are involved in publicising key events taking place next week. They will also be distributing Hate Crime leaflets which detail the various methods of contacting the police and third party organisations to report hate incidents. Three school liaison officer posts were also funded by the PCC and the officers have been offering support to schools across all four districts on tackling antisocial behaviour and hate crime. On Thursday 19th October officers will be conducting welcome and educational activities along with Stockton Borough Council for children of the travelling families who provide Yarm Fair. Mr Coppinger said: “We are committed to treating every report of a hate incident seriously. These unacceptable crimes cause great harm to individuals and to society as a whole, and I welcome the chance to once again express my support for this campaign. “My office prepared a DVD on disability hate crime for use in primary schools which was very well received. Our latest undertaking was to fund the Regional Refugee Forum to work with Refugee led Community Organisations across Cleveland to produce a video using authentic refugee voices to explain to new arrivals how the criminal justice system works in this country and how to seek help with hate related incidents –

the video is in its final stages and I will be attending an open lecture at Teesside University on Tuesday 17 October with keynote speaker Professor Matthew Feldman, where the preliminary showing of the video will be aired. “We will once again show support for Show Racism the Red Card this week in conjunction with Middlesbrough Football Club by supporting Wear Red Day on Friday 20th October, which is an opportunity for staff to show their commitment to tackling racism and prejudice by wearing red. Show Racism the Red Card will also be offering training to our officers under this banner next month to heighten awareness of Hate Crime issues.” Ellie Lowther, founder of Cleveland Trans Aware added: “It is very important for all hate incidents to be reported as there are many reasons why Trans is the most unreported insofar as hate crime figures are concerned. We must tackle each and every one of these factors head-on if we are to move towards a safer, more inclusive society.” Chief Superintendent Alastair Simpson added: “Raising awareness of hate crime and working with partners to tackle it remains an absolute priority for the Force. “I would urge anyone who believes they have been subject to a hate crime to come forward and I can guarantee they will be fully supported throughout any investigation. This doesn’t necessarily need to be done at a police office - there are now many places which offer the facility to report such crimes.”

HMICFRS release report into Abuse of

Position for a Sexual Purpose

The report expressed how pleased inspectors are with the progress

the force has made in this area.

HMICFRS have released their report regarding

their assessment of Abuse of Position for a

Sexual Purpose.

Barry Coppinger, Cleveland's Police and Crime

Commissioner, said: "Police officers often find

themselves in positions of power, especially

when dealing with vulnerable people. It is

therefore essential that they demonstrate the

highest standards of ethical behaviour and that

robust action is taken if they do not.

"The HMI has stated how pleased he is with the

progress the force has made in this area.

"His conclusions are a further vote of

confidence for Cleveland police officers and

staff and for the programme of change put in

place by the chief constable and my office.”

Cleveland Police spokesperson said: "We take

these issues, as do all police forces, very

seriously and have put in place a programme of

work which focuses on three key areas; namely

prevention, intervention and protection.

As part of this we are currently rolling out a

series of 13 road shows for officers and staff to

raise awareness of the issue and we are

working with partner agencies who deal with

vulnerable victims to do the same.”

PCC commits to restorative justice

An investigation found there was only one other PCC in the country

who spent a larger proportion of the victims fund on restorative justice.

Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner,

Barry Coppinger, has welcomed a report

highlighting the high proportion of funding

allocated to restorative justice in Cleveland.

The Valuing Victims report by Why Me?

assesses how much PCCs invest in restorative

justice service delivery from 2013 to the present

day.

The investigation found there was only one other

PCC in the country who spent a larger

proportion of the victims fund on restorative

justice than Cleveland (19.38%).

Restorative Justice gives victims the chance to

meet or communicate with their offenders to

explain the real impact of the crime. It empowers

victims by giving them a voice and holds

offenders to account for what they have done,

helping them to take responsibility and make

amends.

PCC Barry Coppinger said: “Expanding and

developing restorative justice across Cleveland

has been an on-going commitment since I was

first elected in 2012. My office now has a

specialist restorative justice team, who are

responsible for the facilitation and monitoring of

cases across Cleveland.

“They have reported many success stories and

I’m confident restorative justice is a useful tool to

help victims move forward with their lives and to

allow offenders to better understand the impact

their crimes have on their communities.”

New antislavery network to be launched

A new anti-slavery network is being established

in Cleveland by Police and Crime Commissioner

Barry Coppinger.

A ground breaking new Anti-Slavery Network, to

launch later this year, will help Cleveland Police

and partner agencies work collaboratively to

eradicate modern slavery in all its forms.

PCC Coppinger said: “Nationally there is

evidence that multi-agency Anti-Slavery Networks

have a positive impact on combatting and

preventing modern slavery and human trafficking

and having such a network in place is recognised

as good practice.

“Aligning with our Police and Crime Plan, the

establishment of an Anti-Slavery Network will

help the Force and stakeholders work collectively

and collaboratively to prevent, identify, disrupt

and eradicate modern slavery in all its forms and

will result in Cleveland being a safer and happier

place to live.”

Work to establish the network comes on the back

of other great strides being made in the region,

including a recent ‘Hope for justice’ modern day

slavery training course for police officers and

partner agencies. The course was attended by

almost 200 frontline police officers, senior

detectives and staff from partner organisations.

This month also sees the publication of a national

report into the issue of modern day slavery by

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and

Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

Cleveland Police Assistant Chief Constable

Adrian Roberts said: “The HMICFRS report

relates to an assessment in 2016 and it is fair to

say that a great deal of work has been done

since then to develop our understanding of this

type of crime, our response to it, and most

importantly our ability to protect some of the most

vulnerable people in our communities.

“Our region was the first to employ a Regional Co

-ordinator dedicated to Modern Slavery and

Human Trafficking and we have a new detective

post within the Vulnerability Unit to focus on all

forms of Modern Slavery, Human Trafficking and

Child Sexual Exploitation.”

“Although we still have much work to do, we have

also made significant progress.”

The new network will help police and partners work collaboratively.

To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please access the PCC Newsletter Archive on the website or click here.

Barry Coppinger

Police & Crime Commissioner for Cleveland

Cleveland Police Headquarters,

Ladgate Lane, Middlesbrough, TS8 9EH

Website: www.cleveland.pcc.police.uk

Email: pcc@cleveland.pnn.police.uk

Tel: 01642 301653 / 301861 / 301323

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