The Safer and Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee are scheduled to discuss updates on counter-terrorism measures, domestic abuse and sexual violence strategies, and the use of CCTV in County Durham. The meeting will include presentations and reports from council officers and partner organisations. The committee will be invited to note the information provided.

Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Executive Group Annual Report

The committee will receive the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Executive Group (DASVEG) Annual Report, which provides an overview of work delivered in County Durham and Darlington between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025.

The report highlights that national data indicates 2.3 million adults experienced domestic abuse in the past year. In County Durham and Darlington, over 20,800 incidents and crimes were recorded, with women and children disproportionately affected. In County Durham, over 950 referrals were made to local safe accommodation services. The number of women supported increased from 254 in 2022-23 to 311 in 2023-24 to 384 in 2024-25, an increase of approximately 23% each year. The Remain Safe scheme is helping more women remain safely in their own homes.

The DASVEG plan is supported by three key workstreams: Prioritising Prevention, Supporting Victims, and Tackling Those Who Harm. In 2024-2025, Harbour Support Services in County Durham received 11,143 referrals. There were 140 referrals to the local Child and Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse (CAPVA) triage team, with 89 families receiving support through the Respect Young People's Programme. The Respect-accredited perpetrator programme in County Durham saw rising engagement, with 44 completing the programme. Durham Constabulary continues to lead national innovation through the use of forensic marking to deter repeat offending. Monthly Multi-agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) cases rose from an average of 85 to 106.

The report also mentions several relevant pieces of legislation and strategies, including:

• The Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
• The Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2021.
• The Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan 2022.
• The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (Serious Violence Duty).
• The Stalking Protection Act 2019.
• The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024.
• The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2024.

The committee will be asked to note the content of the report and the work undertaken towards the outcomes of the Domestic Abuse Plan 2023 to 2025, and that there are several areas for development taking place including increasing perpetrator programmes, delivering prevention through workforce development, embedding survivor voice and integrating emerging Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) that will strengthen the overall work of the domestic abuse system across County Durham and Darlington.

CCTV in County Durham

The committee will receive a report providing an overview of CCTV operated by Durham County Council. The presentation will focus on CCTV use by Durham County Council to deter crime, vandalism, and antisocial behaviours, and to reduce the fear of crime.

The presentation will include the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice and relevant legislation applying to the use and monitoring of CCTV. Members will have the opportunity to speak with officers and see a demonstration of CCTV cameras prior to the meeting.

The presentation will cover:

• The Council Plan and how CCTV contributes to it.
• Why CCTV is used.
• The use of CCTV in County Durham by Durham County Council.
• Legislation and Governance.
• Types and purpose of CCTV.
• Location of CCTV and other users.
• Planning & Installation of new CCTV.
• Future developments.

The council's CCTV service has an annual corporate budget of £810,000 (2025/26). There are 307 public space cameras covering County Durham, of which 255 are adopted as 'strategic'. The CCTV Service also achieves income by monitoring cameras for 15 internal and external partners. In 2024/25, 5,805 incidents were monitored, 236 incidents resulted in police arrests, and 1,674 requests for footage by police/partners were completed.

The council also uses body worn cameras for personal safety, accountability and transparency, evidence gathering, public confidence, and training and development. These are worn by neighbourhood wardens, debt recovery, and are available in some services for specific cases and emergency services.

The council received 13,762 reports and removed 5,260 incidences of fly-tipping in 2024/25. Approximately 40 re-deployable cameras are in use operationally at any one time. 129 fly-tippers were caught using these cameras in 2024/5.

The committee will be asked to note the information contained within the report and comment accordingly.

Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 Prevent Update

The committee will receive an update on the Safe Durham Partnership's progress in meeting the statutory duties contained within the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015, and an update on partnership working. The update will be delivered by Andy Bailey, Senior Policy and Partnerships Officer, Durham County Council, and Detective Sgt Scott Jameson from Counter Terrorism Policing North East.

The report outlines the UK Counter Terrorism Strategy (Contest) 2023, and its objectives:

• Prevent: Stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
• Pursue: Stop terrorist attacks happening in this county or against UK interests overseas.
• Protect: Strengthen our protection against a terrorist attack.
• Prepare: Minimise the impact of an attack and reduce the likelihood of further attacks.

The three Prevent objectives as required in Section 26 of the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 are:

• Respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism and the threat we face from those who promote it.
• Prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure that they are given appropriate advice and support.
• Work with sectors and institutions where there are risks of radicalisation that we need to address.

The presentation will provide members with further information on activity at a National, Regional and Local Level.

The committee will be asked to note information contained within this report and presentation.