Police accused of neglecting Staindrop

Police have been accused of neglecting a dale village because of the lack of Police and Community Together (PACT) meetings there.

A request for Barnard Castle Police to hold a meeting in Staindrop was made by resident and parish councillor Ed Chicken, and after being told there was no venue available for free, he offered to find funding.

He also complained that police were only advertising meetings through social media, meaning a lot of people were unaware of when they were being held across the dale.

Cllr Chicken said: “Advertising PACT meetings only on the police website or on Facebook is unacceptable as it prevents any meeting from being inclusive.

“In West Auckland, for example, the Monteith Hall displays a poster of PACT meetings for the year ahead.

“It would be interesting to see attendance figures for Teesdale PACT meetings to see how effective is the engagement here.”

Cllr Chicken, who is also secretary of Scarth Hall, arranged for the parish council to fund PACT meetings but claims the offer was rejected.

Police said they were holding meetings in the village until they were told they would have to pay.

Insp Andy Reeves said: “As a team we work hard to listen to all concerns from our communities and regularly hold PACT meetings at different venues across Teesdale.

“We have held many PACT meetings in Staindrop, but unfortunately these came to an end when the venue introduced a fee.

“We are happy to restart meetings in Staindrop if a free venue can be secured.”

Mr Chicken responded: “Had Insp Reeves engaged with the parish council and Scarth Hall in Staindrop he would have learned that his officers last visited the community cafe in Scarth Hall in spring.”

He added: “If a room is required to hold a meeting, there is a charge and this has been the case since 1875.

“When village halls must pay thousands of pounds for utilities, licences and insurances each year, hire fee income is essential.

“Staindrop Parish Council has indicated a willingness to meet this cost but Insp Reeves’ staff have rejected this offer.

“PACT meetings can be hosted in Staindrop if there is a willingness from the police to engage.

“Better communication could resolve this.”

Staindrop Parish Council, at its latest meeting, agreed write to Barnard Castle Police “in a welcoming way” to invite them to the village and to cover the hire cost for three PACT meetings at Scarth Memorial Hall.