Women in parts of the North East do not feel safe walking home at night due to high levels of crime and anti-social behaviour, MPs have said. The evidence emerged during a Parliamentary debate about police funding in the region, with MPs arguing the North East is being unfairly underfunded.
Debate highlights police cuts
The debate was called by North Durham MP Luke Akehurst, who said the North East’s three police forces have 578 fewer officers than they did in 2010. He claimed this had led to deteriorating public safety, with the region experiencing higher crime rates but lower police funding than other areas.
Mr Akehurst said: “Police numbers were cut in the years after 2010. Public safety has therefore deteriorated, and our constituents are paying the price.”
Concerns over community safety
He also highlighted a recent meeting with the Just For Women group in Stanley and pupils from St Bede’s School in Lanchester, which outlined how women did not feel safe in their own communities. He said: “In our discussion, the group highlighted their public safety concerns, recalling that they no longer feel safe walking home at night. They were clear that rather than simply catching perpetrators when awful crimes happen, our priority should be to prevent harm in the first place.”
Mr Akehurst called on the Government to review the funding formula for police forces to better reflect the needs of North East communities. He was backed by City of Durham MP Mary Kelly Foy, who said she had met Belmont Guides and heard how anti-social behaviour and low-level crime impacts their community.
Government response
The debate also heard from Conservative Shadow Policing Minister Matt Vickers, who shared concerns raised by Labour MPs but defended the previous Government’s record, noting an increase in Cleveland force officers between 2019 and 2024. Responding for the Government, Policing Minister Sarah Jones confirmed the funding formula was under review. She said: “I assure honourable members that the Government and I hear their case on the North East.”
