The Police and Crime Panel is scheduled to meet on Monday 16 March 2026 to discuss a range of topics concerning policing and crime in County Durham and Darlington. The meeting's agenda includes a review of the Professional Standards Department's annual report, an update on firearms licensing, and a quarterly performance report from the Police and Crime Commissioner. Additionally, the panel will consider a report on police reform and the panel's work programme.

Professional Standards Department Annual Report

A significant item on the agenda is the Professional Standards Department Annual Report. This report will provide the Police and Crime Panel with an opportunity to question the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Joy Allen, on how she holds the Chief Constable, Rachel Bacon, to account regarding the work of the Professional Standards Department. The discussion will also cover plans for monitoring improvements following a recent HMICFRS Integrity Inspection. The report details the accountability framework of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), including how Professional Standards Department (PSD) performance is scrutinised through various governance structures. It also outlines the OPCC's role in reviewing public complaints and the work of the OPCC Complaints Scrutiny Panel. The report highlights an increase in vetting demand and complaints, with a particular concern raised about the adequacy of Durham Constabulary's vetting arrangements, which the HMICFRS graded as Inadequate. Recommendations and responses from the constabulary are detailed, focusing on improving data accuracy, management oversight, resources for the vetting unit, and comprehensive post-misconduct reviews. The report also addresses improvements needed in handling and managing conduct cases, including timeliness and documentation, and the prevention of IT system misuse.

Firearms Licensing

The meeting will also feature a discussion on firearms licensing, with presentations from the British Association of Shooting and Conservation (BASC) and the Durham Constabulary Firearms Licensing Unit. The report from the Police and Crime Commissioner aims to provide the panel with an opportunity to question the PCC on her oversight of the Chief Constable's performance in this area. The background information notes that firearms licensing is a Chief Constable function under the Firearms Act 1968, and the PCC cannot interfere in individual licensing decisions but is responsible for holding the Chief Constable accountable for effectiveness, efficiency, legality, and public safety. The report includes data from BASC and the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) indicating that Durham's Firearms Licensing Department has historically been less effective and efficient compared to other UK forces, with significant turnaround times and costs per certificate. The report outlines the constabulary's approach to firearms licensing, which is aligned with national guidance and prioritises public safety. It details current and projected demand for licences and certificates, and the resourcing and performance of the unit.

Quarterly Performance Report

The Police and Crime Commissioner's (PCC) Quarterly Performance Report for Quarter Three 2025/26 will be presented. This report covers the period from 1 October to 31 December 2025 and provides an update on the delivery of priorities outlined in the Police, Crime and Justice Plan 2025-29. Key priorities include supporting victims, ensuring safer people and places, safer neighbourhoods, a safer countryside, safer roads, and improvements to the criminal justice system. The report highlights progress in areas such as knife crime presentations to students, an increase in resolved fraud offences, faster response times to 999 calls, and a reduction in environmental anti-social behaviour incidents. It also details work on supporting victims, tackling town and city centre crime, engaging with young people, and improving neighbourhood policing. The report also touches upon efforts to enhance rural safety, road safety initiatives, and improvements within the criminal justice system, including drug testing on arrest and support for women leaving prison.

Police Reform

A report on Police Reform will be presented, outlining the proposed changes to police governance arrangements contained in the Government's White Paper published in January 2026, titled 'From Local to National: A New Model for Policing'. This paper proposes the abolition of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) from May 2028, with their responsibilities transferring to directly elected mayors or, in areas without mayors, to Policing and Crime Boards composed of local council leaders. The report explains that this reform aims to reintegrate policing into the local government system to foster greater collaboration across local services. The proposed new arrangements for County Durham and Darlington are detailed, including the formation of Policing and Crime Boards with similar powers to current PCCs, such as appointing Chief Constables, setting budgets, and agreeing the policing precept. The report also discusses the role of Policing and Crime Leads and the future of Police and Crime Panels, which are to be abolished, with their scrutiny functions absorbed by existing local authority overview and scrutiny arrangements.

Police and Crime Panel Work Programme

The Police and Crime Panel's Work Programme for 2025/26 will be reviewed. This standing agenda item allows the panel to keep under review items scheduled for future meetings and to consider new issues. The report notes that the work programme has been flexible to accommodate additional items throughout the year and that the panel will begin considering items for the 2026/27 programme. Specific items highlighted for inclusion in the next year's programme include a report on Road Safety, following the publication of the Government's Road Strategy, and the PCC's Youth, Justice and Crime Plan. A report on Benefits Realisation for the Investigative Hub has been moved to the 2026/27 programme.

Complaints Update

An update on formal complaints received by the Police and Crime Panel concerning the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) or the Deputy PCC will be provided. The report indicates that since the last meeting, no new formal complaints have been received against the Police and Crime Commissioner. The report details the outcomes of two previously considered complaints, one of which was deemed outside the panel's remit and the other where the Office of the PCC offered assistance to the complainant. A further complaint related to the PCC's social media posts was not referred to the panel as it stemmed from previously considered matters.

Firearms Licensing (Presentation)

In addition to the report on firearms licensing, a presentation by the British Association of Shooting and Conservation (BASC) is scheduled. This presentation will likely provide further detail on the findings and recommendations regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of Durham's Firearms Licensing Department.