The Coalition would like to welcome Elaine Carey (pictured right) as the new Chair of the Coalition.

Having helped to found and develop the NERCP over the last 10 years, Elaine already has an understanding of all aspects of our work. Below, Elaine outlines her thoughts on the work of the Coalition and its future direction...

I was introduced to the work of the Northumbria Coalition about 10 years ago, and have since then been actively involved in various aspects of its programmes. A lot has changed since then.

As you may already know, I have been a manager with Marks & Spencer for some 21 years now, and have seen many changes within retail and the Coalition in that time. I also see many similarities. To meet the changing lifestyles of customers, M&S operate different store formats located where they are most convenient. For example, small food stores at railway stations and motorway service stations, outlets and retail parks yet over 80% of our 450 stores are in traditional high streets and town centres.

To meet the diverse needs of our communities the Coalition offers different projects in various locations. Developing and delivering programmes in this way, as well as maintaining long running successful programmes sets us apart from competitors and keeps us at the forefront of crime prevention.

In modern businesses Corporate Social Responsibility is founded on the belief that helping build sustainable communities contributes to business success and that the best community support is where they can 'help others to help themselves'.

This is also true of the Coalition's work, whether that be in the form of intelligence led targeting of persistent, prolific thieves through NERCP, or the OMP which has extended to include work with parents. Both these projects are based on the same principle of helping others to help themselves.

Put simply there is no other organisation working in this field that provides the holistic range of programmes or has the synergy within their programmes that we do. We are enablers, not simply providers.

We must ensure our communities get the best benefit from our support, by providing initiatives where we believe we can make a real and lasting contribution.

Building good relationships with our business partners and the communities in which we operate is the best guarantee of long term success.

I believe that we are well positioned and have the talent and capability to continue developing programmes to meet those future needs.


Northumbria Coalition Against Crime, Northumbria Police HQ, Ponteland, Newcastle upon Tyne NE20 0BL
Telephone 01661 868 424, Fax 01661 868488, E-mail info@thecoalition.org.uk