Agenda item

The Panel received a presentation from J Carling, Head of Policy and Communications, Office of the PCVC on the importance of media coverage, recent coverage in the press and broadcast media and recent social media content and reach (for copy of slides see file of Minutes).

Councillor Hovvels thanked the Head of Policy and Communications for his presentation and stressed the importance of positive messages being put out into the media.  Councillor Boyes added that when the role of PCC was formed in 2012 there had been a lot of caution and reservation about it, but Durham’s PCVC had been a good ambassador for the role.  Members of the Police and Crime Panel were supplied with copies of press releases made by the PCVC’s office and this was welcomed.

Councillor Jones informed the Panel he was pleased that Durham had a high profile Chief Constable and PCVC who maintained a media presence.