Durham Police get new crime-fighting kit funded by PCC Joy Allen

A consignment of modern-day crime-fighting equipment has come the force’s way thanks to funding from the County Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Joy Allen.

They include new thermal imaging cameras which are helping neighbourhood officers robustly tackle anti-social behaviour and other top public priorities thanks to the investment package.

The PCC provided financial backing of more than £11,000 for eight handheld thermal imaging cameras across the force, in line with her Police, Crime and Justice Plan pledge to fund tools and resources necessary for helping officers respond to problems of concern to communities.

Cameras have been allocated to Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPT) serving communities in Peterlee, Seaham, Darlington, Consett, Stanley, Chester-le-Street, Durham, Sherburn and Framwellgate Moor, Bishop Auckland, Crook and Barnard Castle, and Aycliffe, Spennymoor and Ferryhill.

(Image: Co Durham and Darlington PCC) It follows a pilot scheme by Sherburn NPT, funded by the PCC, which saw officers trialling the camera as part of their response to anti-social behaviour, missing from home and suspect searches, property recovery and suspected cannabis grows. 

The tool quickly became an invaluable addition, helping officers to search open areas, including quarries and wetland, for heat sources during missing people searches without the need to walk across potentially hazardous ground with a torch.

It was also used to successfully locate off-road motorcycles involved in anti-social riding in woodland, resulting in vehicle seizures.

The PCC has stressed that the aim of the equipment is not to replace the use of drones.

But they are a valuable tool to provide support where drone pilots are engaged in other incidents or in situations where a location or weather conditions are unsuitable for flying.

(Image: Co Durham and Darlington PCC) Thanks to the success of the pilot project, the PCC agreed to provide further funding to the tune of £9,745, in addition to the £1,667 already committed to Sherburn NPT, to roll out the thermal cameras to other neighbourhood teams to support their work.

The investment follows the PCC's funding of 16 new drone pilots and four drones, providing the force with 24-7 coverage.

Ms Allen,: "I have worked hard since coming to office in 2021 to increase capacity in our neighbourhood policing teams and to ensure they are equipped with the technology and tools to protect our communities from key threats and risks, to disrupt those who cause misery, harm and exploit local people.

"I will not relent on my mission to pursue criminals and bring them to justice and will continue to invest in the very latest technologies and facilities to deliver a first-class response to the public.

"I want Durham Constabulary to be recognised as the best at preventing crime and anti-social behaviour.

“Off-road bikes, anti-social behaviour and drug crime have a profound and far-reaching impact on our communities, heightening fear, and they will not be tolerated.

“I’m grateful to the public's support in communicating vital information to help police solve crime.

“I would encourage residents to continue reporting their concerns and any suspicious activity to the force to help us remain one step ahead."

(Image: Co Durham and Darlington PCC) In the 12 months up to 30 April 2024, 3,505 incidents involving off-road, scrambler, quad bikes, motorbikes, or dirt bikes were recorded by the force, equating to an average of 292 every month.

Under the Safer Neighbourhoods theme of her  Police, Crime and Justice Plan, the commissioner has vowed to identify and tackle anti-social behaviour hotspots including those where vehicles of any kind are being used illegally.

This came after 45-per cent of the public said anti-social behaviour nuisance was a priority in a recent survey. 

She continues to provide funding towards Operation Endurance, an all-year-round operation which sees officers seizing bikes on the spot if they are being ridden illegally and anti-socially.

The PCC has also pledged to take tough enforcement action against the individuals, gangs and organised crime groups responsible for the supply and distribution of illegal substances to maximise opportunities to seize drugs.

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Since their deployment, the thermal imaging cameras have helped the force to respond to high volume requests including intelligence reports of cannabis grows in a cost-effective way, enabling officers to resolve incidents more quickly, freeing them up for other frontline policing tasks. 

Neighbourhood officers in Seaham recently successfully identified a cannabis farm after following up on community intelligence.

The thermal imaging camera identified heat sources at two properties, one of which was found to contain the remnants of a cannabis grow.