The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) carries out a wide range of consultations and engagement.
This is to make sure the PCC and his staff know what the people of Cleveland want and need – and as a result, the OPCC can work towards meeting their requirements.
You can read about our plans in the OPCC Consultation and Engagement Strategy 2021-24.
Current Consultations
Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Steve Turner wants to know how the public would like offenders to make amends to the community for their crimes.
As a result, the OPCC is currently running a public consultation on Community Remedy.
Community Remedies are out-of-court sentencing options, which take place in the community, and used in cases of antisocial behaviour and lower level crime.
They were originally introduced as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB), Crime and Policing Act 2014. Community Remedies aim to give communities more tools to deal with antisocial behaviour and its impact.
The new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 came into force on 14 November 2022. It strengthened the case for using community sentencing for lower-level offences.
The new law and codes of practice also bring in tougher sentencing and greater police powers. They will deal with more serious crimes and disorder.
Police only use Community Remedies if they consider that it is appropriate to take this course of action. They may include the following:
- Restorative Justice. An opportunity to bring victims and offenders together, in a safe, supported way. It allows them to talk about the damage caused by the crime and look at how the offender can make amends,
- Verbal or written apology to the victim
- Signing an Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC.) The chance for the offender to make a positive change by agreeing to certain conditions or actions. For example, they may agree to take part in an education programme. Or they may agree not to go to a particular area, where they would come into contact with the victim or factors, which could trigger re-offending.
- Referral to a local rehabilitative, educational or diversionary activity. They aim to support improvements in the offender’s behaviour via community-based support
- Personal/Community Reparation. This may include repairing or paying for damage caused in an incident. For example, an offender may repair or paint a fence damaged during an incident of criminal or antisocial behaviour
- Other potential remedies to be suggested by the public. They may include mediation to resolve long-running disputes between individuals.
Steve is also asking the public if an offender should pay for any courses or treatment they are asked to do.
To take the survey, go to:
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/RL8HUM/
Deadline: Monday 27 February 2023.
Previous Consultations
Policing Precept 2023-4
OPCC staff carried out a consultation on how much people in Cleveland were willing to pay towards the 2023-24 policing precept.
Policing Precept 2022-23
OPCC staff undertook a consultation on how much the people of Cleveland were willing to pay as part of the 2022-23 policing precept. The full report is available here.
Police and Crime Plan 2021-24
Public consultation took place on the priorities, which formed Cleveland Police and Crime Plan 2021-24.
Read more about the Police and Crime Plan on our website.

Victim needs assessment survey
This major study by the Centre for Process Innovation looked into how victims in Cleveland access recovery services.
Violence against women and girls
Results from the OPCC’s consultation on feelings of safety in public spaces among women and girls in Cleveland were released in June 2021.
More than 81% of women and girls feel unsafe in public spaces across the Cleveland Force area.
Survey results formed the basis of a bid to the Government’s Safer Streets 3 programme.
Youth survey into crime
As part of its Big Conversation 2021-22, Cleveland Youth Commission looked at young people’s views on the following:
- Mental Health
- Drug and Alcohol Abuse & Gang Crime
- Abusive Relationships
- Hate & Online Crime
- Antisocial Behaviour
- Young people’s Relationships with the Police
You can read the full report here