Police reveal 22pc rise in crime across Teesdale and Weardale

CRIME in Teesdale and Weardale has increased by 22 per cent during the past year but it is still “significantly lower” than the rest of the county. In 2016, there were 483 crimes per 10,000 people in the two dales – a sharp hike on the previous year.
But chiefs say rural County Durham has had a lower increase compared to the force area as a whole, which has seen an overall rise of 29 per cent to 694 crimes per 10,000 people. Durham Police says much of the increase in reported crime in Durham and Darlington is due to changes to classification of “incidents” to “crimes”. Fear of crime in Teesdale and Weardale has risen by two per cent but people’s confidence in the police is rated at five out of seven.
The statistics have been revealed in Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg’s Rural Policing Statement – One Year On. It follows the launch of his countryside policing strategy in February 2016. Other aspects include:

POLICE UPDATE: Barnard Castle’s PC Harry Marsh
was among those involved in a sheep training session, one of a number
of initiatives in rural areas by Durham Police this year

The police’s budget has “reduced significantly” over the last few years, but the number of officers working in rural areas has remained stable over the past year – with more now based at Barnard Castle than a year ago.
Some 20 community speed camera kits have been bought to help tackle concerns of drivers going to quickly. Residents are welcome to use them.
Restorative justice, where victims meet criminals in the hope of rehabilitating offenders, is to be expanded in Teesdale so they people have a “chance to get the answers, or the explanation they deserve, from the person who committed crimes against them”.
“Community peer mentors” are also due to come to Teesdale. Working in pairs, the mentors will aim to establish the cause of issues and signpost people to support networks or other professionals. “Ultimately the aim is to make people feel safe and improve the circumstances they have found themselves in,” Mr Hogg said.
Training has been given to urban-based call handlers based in Durham about life in the countryside.
“Last year we also heard from people who found that some of our call-handlers
didn’t appear to understand the nature of rural communities when they phoned 101 or 999 to report rural crimes to the police. Since then they have received extra training,” Mr Hogg said.
Police have bought an extra four-wheeled drive vehicle with automatic number plate recognition technology.
Rural officers have all received training about identifying breeds of sheep, and how to handle them. It follows concerns about sheep rustling.
Mr Hogg, who visits Teesdale and Weardale once a month, says police have spoken to rural residents to discover the issues they face.
The police have made efforts to be at the summer shows in Middleton in Teesdale, Wolsingham, Stanhope and Hurworth – and they are a “continuing presence on the streets and roads in our rural areas”.
Common crimes in rural areas include theft of livestock and farm equipment, worrying livestock, fly-tipping, speeding and unsafe driving, poaching, trading in endangered species, and damage of protected sites and habitats.
More than 1,600 rural residents get regular updates from the Keep in the Know system which tells people about crimes via email.
The benefits of the new shared 999 station in Wilson Road, Barnard Castle, are predicted to be “huge” because it will enable the police, fire service, ambulance service and mountain rescue to work together and share information.