Crime tsar facing probe after awarding more than £500,000 of taxpayers’ money to the charity she runs with force police chief

‘A police crime commissioner is facing investigation after awarding more than half a million pounds of taxpayers’ money to the charity she runs alongside the force’s chief.

Vera Baird donated £500,000 to Victims First Northumbria, a charity which supports crime victims in her area and of which she is a director.

Sitting alongside her on the organisation’s top table is Sue Sim, Northumbria’s Chief Constable, records revealed.

The pair now face a Ministry of Justice probe as critics accuse them of concocting ‘a soap opera’ within the force.’

Read more: Crime tsar facing probe after awarding more than £500,000 of taxpayers' money to the charity she runs with force police chief