Victims of domestic stalking and harassment across County Durham and Darlington are set to receive free video doorbells to boost their safety as part of a £10k scheme funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen.
As the nation marked National Stalking Awareness Week, which ran from April 21-27, the County Durham and Darlington PCC said free video doorbells would be provided to high or medium risk victims of domestic stalking and harassment to provide extra reassurance, secure evidence and deter offending.
In fulfilling a long-held commitment to prioritise Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), the PCC has invested in a raft of projects to better protect victims of stalking and to enhance support for survivors since she was first elected in 2021.
The commissioner has previously provided funding to Paladin – the National Stalking Advocacy Service – to deliver Stalking Champions Training which has seen a cohort of 20 frontline or investigative police officers trained to understand the difference between stalking and harassment, current legislative options, the use of Stalking Protection Orders, the impact of stalking on victims, safety advice and the assessment of risk.
The officers will receive Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training over the next three years to ensure their knowledge and skills around stalking is up to date.
The PCC has also funded the roll out of assembly talks in association with the Alice Ruggles Trust in 52 schools across the force area to raise awareness of the early signs of stalking behaviour to prevent future tragedies.
Data shows there were 1,644 domestic stalking and harassment crimes across the force area in 2023. Of these crimes, there were 1,444 distinct victims of which 733 were a repeat victim.
The latest video doorbell initiative is part of a dedicated Stalking Response Action Plan by the force, which includes the distribution of Smartwater forensic marking technology that allows officers to prove perpetrators have been in contact with a victim, an initiative to screen victims’ phones for tracking software and an internal review of crime recording practices to better understand the profile of stalking and harassment crimes in County Durham and Darlington.
One victim of stalking who has already received a video doorbell said: “After experiencing the most unimaginable trauma due to domestic abuse, having a ring doorbell granted to our family has given my children and I a huge sense of protection and comfort – both when we’re at home and also when we’re away.
“It’s a massive reassurance knowing that the property is protected which makes us feel much safer. The camera is really helping us to rebuild our life.”
Launching the initiative, PCC Joy Allen said: “I want every victim, survivor and potential victim of stalking to know that we take their safety and wellbeing extremely seriously.
“I give them my word that we will leave no stone unturned in the help and support we provide to protect them and help them recover.”
Under the initiative, victims who are gifted video doorbells will be responsible for controlling their own device. There will be no ongoing subscription cost.
Durham Constabulary would only have access to the footage if it was provided as evidence as part of a subsequent investigation.
National Stalking Awareness Week aims to increase awareness of stalking, its impact and how to combat it and emphasises the importance of partners working together.
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• The above pic (from left) shows Samantha Home-Jackson from the Problem Orientated Policing (POP) team, Joy Alen and Pat Tate from the commissioner’s office who works with the POP Team.