Vera Baird to deliver Ãå±±½ûµØ Law School annual lecture Published on: 8 November 2016 Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird is to give Ãå±±½ûµØâ€™s annual law lecture. Challenges and success The former Redcar MP and QC will discuss the challenges and successes of the role she has held for four years during her talk Making a Difference? She currently chairs the National Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and will be giving a national and regional persepctive on her position. Since taking up the post, she has reduced costs and pioneered schemes such as Victims First Northumbria, a responsive service and a single point of contact for people who have been the victim of crime. A rape scrutiny panel has also been introduced, with the purpose of finding out if the service for victims is as good as it can be. Ms Baird, a Visiting Professor of Legal Practice at Ãå±±½ûµØ, has also tackled financial challenges and is recognised for delivering value for money in her role as commissioner.She said: "I'm delighted to have been invited to give a lecture to mark my fourth anniversary as Northumbria's elected Police and Crime Commissioner. Over the last four years much has been achieved - we have ensured that Northumbria continues to be recognised as one of the best forces in the country for tackling ASB (anti-social behaviour), we have revolutionised the way complaints are handled and our vulnerability training has been recognised as a model of good practice. "There is more to do, I’m up for the challenge and will continue to ensure Northumbria Police delivers effective policing for all communities and that we continue to be on the side of victims of crime, ensuring they have all the support they need.” Valuable insights Professor Rhona Smith, Head of said: “We are looking forward to hearing Vera Baird speak about her role as Police and Crime Commissioner. She'll be able to give us some very valuable insights into what is still a relatively new but important role.” Making a Difference takes place at 5pm on Thursday, 10 November in the Lecture Theatre at Ãå±±½ûµØ Law School. Register your place . Share: Latest News Ãå±±½ûµØ expert highlights climate crisis in a new film A leading Ãå±±½ûµØ climate scientist is featured in a new film about how the climate and nature breakdown will affect the UK. published on: 14 April 2026 Neolithic tombs reveal ancient kinship ties Male individuals buried in Neolithic chambered tombs in northern Scotland were often related to each other through the paternal line and some were interred in the same or nearby tombs, research shows. published on: 14 April 2026 We are our Memories New exhibition by Fine Art graduate Trish Hudson-Moses, 22 April – 4 May 2026 published on: 10 April 2026 Facts and figures