Latest news with #JoyAllen
BBC News
03-08-2025
- Health
- BBC News
New County Durham and Darlington domestic abuse service launches
A new service aiming to provide specialist help for victims of domestic abuse is being launched.A Specialist Mental Health and Hospital Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) will work between Darlington Memorial Hospital and the University Hospital of North Durham until March will support adult and child patients seeking treatment for injuries or mental health episodes they have experienced from domestic service costs an initial £43,500 and has been funded by County Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen, who said it could "save lives". It aims to expand safeguarding opportunities and it is hoped it would reduce further attendance at A&E in the future, Allen would also link people to longer-term community-based IDVA would work closely with victims and survivors and provide an initial assessment to develop individual support plans, which would have to receive the consent of the victim before being safeguarding issues would also be identified and action would be taken. As part of the new plan offered by Harbour Support Services, the PCC aims to get data about the number and type of admissions to better understand the victim experience and to develop further effective said: "Undoubtedly, offering professional, non-judgmental support and safety planning early saves lives and I hope that through the improvements we are making to service provision we will encourage more victims to come forward and seek help." The IDVA would travel between sites depending on need. They would also provide ongoing advice and support to frontline health professionals. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Yahoo
Volunteers sought to scrutinise police custody
Volunteers are being sought to help provide oversight of police custody processes and the welfare of people being detained. The independent custody visitors will hold Durham Constabulary and the Chief Constable to account and help increase trust and confidence in policing services, Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen said. During unannounced visits to the new Durham Investigative Hub, near Spennymoor, the volunteers will check detentions standards across custody suits and ensure detainees are receiving the appropriate care. Allen said the volunteers would "play a critical role in driving further improvements". Issues identified will be raised with the custody sergeant and included in a report which is sent to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. "Our new cohort of volunteers will play a critical role in driving further improvements in our processes and procedures to ensure Durham not only delivers the very best quality of care to detainees but is held aloft as a beacon of good practice nationally," Allen said. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Custody volunteers: 'We never ask what they've done' Retiring police dogs 'deserve to get pension' 'Rioters did not care if we got home that night' Durham Police and Crime Commissioner's Office
BBC News
07-06-2025
- BBC News
Durham volunteers sought to scrutinise police custody processes
Volunteers are being sought to help provide oversight of police custody processes and the welfare of people being independent custody visitors will hold Durham Constabulary and the Chief Constable to account and help increase trust and confidence in policing services, Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen unannounced visits to the new Durham Investigative Hub, near Spennymoor, the volunteers will check detentions standards across custody suits and ensure detainees are receiving the appropriate said the volunteers would "play a critical role in driving further improvements". Issues identified will be raised with the custody sergeant and included in a report which is sent to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner."Our new cohort of volunteers will play a critical role in driving further improvements in our processes and procedures to ensure Durham not only delivers the very best quality of care to detainees but is held aloft as a beacon of good practice nationally," Allen said. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
How to apply for a role monitoring Spennymoor's new custody hub
Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen is looking for volunteers to help provide oversight of police custody processes and the welfare of detainees. PCC Allen is recruiting for the Independent Custody Visitor (ICV) scheme, which involves making unannounced visits to custody suites to ensure detainees are being treated fairly and receiving the care they are entitled to. The new volunteers will focus their work at the recently opened Durham Investigative Hub near Spennymoor, which features 48 modern custody cells, interview rooms, medical facilities, and more than 6,600 square metres of office space. Ms Allen said: "Volunteers make a huge difference to the force area, especially within policing. "My Independent Custody Visitor (ICV) scheme is a perfect example, where people donate their time freely to protect the rights of those who find themselves in police custody and help to improve standards of custody care. "Our ICV scheme is entering an exciting period in its history with the recent opening of a state-of-the-art and centralised custody centre. "Our new cohort of volunteers will play a critical role in driving further improvements in our processes and procedures to ensure Durham not only delivers the very best quality of care to detainees but is held aloft as a beacon of good practice nationally. "This is an opportunity to provide a voice for people who may be vulnerable and underrepresented. "If you believe in fairness and equality and have a genuine interest in protecting the rights of vulnerable people, please consider joining our dedicated ICV team – your support is highly valued and appreciated." The ICVs will regularly visit the custody hub to speak with detainees, check that their rights are being upheld, and review the conditions of their detention. They will also examine custody records to ensure staff are meeting their responsibilities, with particular attention given to vulnerable or young detainees. Any concerns raised during visits are discussed with the Custody Sergeant and included in a report sent to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC). The ICV scheme is part of the commissioner's commitment to increasing public trust in policing by maintaining high standards of care and transparency within police custody. Read more: Solved: Decades-old mystery of wooden bridge submerged in County Durham river Vacant County Durham building to be turned into takeaway after plans approved Meet the 80-year-old mountain rescue volunteer with 54 years of saving lives The new custody hub offers 24/7 healthcare from qualified medical staff, along with forensic examination rooms, an energy centre, and virtual court facilities. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, live, work, or study in the Durham police area, and have been resident in the UK for at least three years before applying. More information about the role and details on how to apply can be found on the Durham Police and Crime Commissioner's website at
