Northumbria Police Authority met with its partners across the region at The Sage Gateshead today at its first annual conference, designed to look at future joint working.

Chair of the Police Authority, Councillor Mick Henry welcomed more than 100 delegates from its partners, including Northumbria Police, Northumbria's 11 local authorities, neighbouring police authorities, probation service and voluntary sector amongst others.

Northumbria Police Authority is an independent organisation that supports and governs Northumbria Police and ensures the force is accountable to local people by providing effective and efficient policing services for local people. It is made up of local councillors from across Northumberland and Tyne and Wear, magistrates and independent members selected from local communities.

The Audit Commission recently ranked Northumbria Police Authority with its highest possible standard, scoring it as 'Performing Strongly', in its achievements in relation to value for money.

Chair of NPA since 2002, Councillor Mick Henry has promoted a close working relationship between the Authority and the Force. In particular he works with other authority members listening to and reflecting the views and concerns of local people.

He said, "The success and effectiveness of our policing services across Northumbria relies importantly on us working together as partners to build trust and confidence in local communities. Our achievements to date and future aspirations need commitment from all of the organisations represented today and the start of an annual Northumbria Police Authority conference will help to remind and focus our efforts for the future."

Chief Constable Mike Craik added, ""I see this conference as an ideal opportunity to ensure that Northumbria Police really understands what matters most to local people and responds by engaging in more effective partnerships so the public can see that, together, we can make a real difference."

Northumbria Police Authority (NPA) operates across the Northumberland and Tyne and Wear areas of the North East of England, covering a total of 2,150 square miles with a population of 1.4 million. It manages an annual budget of approximately £270million, which has successfully been used to drive down crime in Northumbria by approximately 46 percent since 1990.

Northumbria Police Authority meets monthly and holds regular public forums in neighbourhood areas to listen and respond to local people's concerns about crime and disorder where they live. For more information visit, www.northumbria-police-authority.org.

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