Seaham deserves safer streets and real consequences for crime—I’m standing to restore law, order, and respect in our community.
By Ian McAndrew, Conservative Candidate for Seaham
TL;DR: – Ian McAndrew’s Plan for a Safer Seaham.
There’s a reason I chose to stand in Seaham. This is my town. I was born here, raised on the coast, and I know exactly what Seaham can be when it’s safe, proud, and respected. But over the last few years, something has shifted. From our high streets to our housing estates, law and order has been allowed to slide—and with it, so too has confidence in our community.
Let’s be clear: the vast majority of people in Seaham are decent, hard-working, and respectful. But when the same small group of troublemakers is allowed to intimidate, vandalise, and disrupt, without real consequences, everyone else pays the price. I’ve spoken with dozens of residents— from the seafront to the terraces—and the message has been consistent:
“We want our town back.”
Well, I do too. That’s why, if elected, I will put law and order front and centre. No gimmicks. No excuses. Just a clear plan to restore respect, protect our community, and back the police with the resources and powers they need to do the job.
The Problem: Persistent Antisocial Behaviour and Weak Consequences
Over the last year, Seaham has seen far too many headlines for the wrong reasons. Youth disorder in public parks. Vandalism on our seafront. Drug use in alleyways. Residents harassed in their own homes. And all too often, the response has been reactive, slow, or entirely absent.
Take the now-infamous incident near the Tommy statue—a place meant to honour sacrifice and history—reduced to a scene of late-night drinking, littering, and worse. Or the senseless destruction of parking machines at Vane Tempest, costing taxpayers and fuelling a sense of impunity. These are not one-off events. They’re part of a pattern.
We’ve reached the point where some residents are afraid to challenge bad behaviour in their own streets. Where businesses feel unprotected. Where the police are overstretched, and the council seems more concerned with writing policies than enforcing them. That’s not good enough.
Law and order is not just about statistics—it’s about how people feel walking home at night. It’s about whether children can play in the park without fear. It’s about whether people still believe someone will show up when they call for help. Right now, too many people in Seaham are saying no. That has to change.
My Plan for Law and Order in Seaham
As your Conservative candidate, I’m not going to pretend these issues are simple, or that there’s a silver bullet. But what I can promise is a serious, sustained focus on law and order, with practical steps to get results. Here’s what that looks like:
In short, if you cause trouble in Seaham, you’ll face consequences—quickly and visibly.
I’ll work with Durham Constabulary and the Police and Crime Commissioner to:
We need a police presence that is not just reactive, but preventative—officers who know the community, and who the community knows by name.
If we want respect, we have to demand it—starting with how we look after the places we share.
A Victim’s Voice Charter for Seaham—ensuring those impacted by crime are kept informed, supported, and involved in sentencing where appropriate.
No one in Seaham should have to live in fear, or feel like they’ve been left to cope on their own.
Prevention, Yes—But Accountability First
Let me be clear: I believe in youth services. I believe in early intervention, mentoring, and support for families. But I don’t believe in making excuses for criminal behaviour.
Some of the worst disorder in Seaham has been caused by teenagers and young adults who know exactly what they’re doing—and who’ve been told, again and again, that they’ll get a warning and little else.
That cycle has to stop.
Alongside enforcement, I will champion structured youth programmes with discipline at their core. I’m not talking about more “hang-out spaces”—I’m talking about things with purpose: boxing clubs, cadets, work experience, training schemes.
Respect isn’t just learned—it’s expected. And the state must play its role in setting that expectation early.
No Apologies for Being Tough on Crime
Some will say I’m being too hard. That a tougher approach might “alienate” people. That cracking down on antisocial behaviour is somehow unfair.
To that I say: tell that to the shopkeeper who’s been burgled three times this year. Tell it to the pensioner who avoids walking past the local park after dark. Tell it to the family whose child wakes up to shouting outside every Friday night.
We must stop tolerating the intolerable.
As a Conservative, I believe in personal responsibility, community pride, and a government that protects its citizens first. If elected, I will bring those principles to bear in every meeting, every policy, and every budget line.
Let’s Reclaim Our Streets—Together
This isn’t about ideology. It’s about leadership.
Seaham is not a lost cause. In fact, we’re full of potential. Our coast is a treasure. Our people are tough, generous, and proud. But we’ve allowed a culture of consequence-free behaviour to spread—and it’s dragging everyone down.
The time for hollow consultations and soft-touch warnings is over. What we need now is firm action. Local leadership. And a clear message that Seaham’s best days are ahead—not behind.
If you share that vision, then I ask for your support. I’m Ian McAndrew. I’m standing to represent you. And I will not stop until Seaham is safe, respected, and thriving again.
Ian McAndrew Vote for a Safer Seaham.
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Let’s make Seaham stronger — together.
Promoted by Tom Baker on behalf of Ian McAndrew at Conservative Office, Creative Business Park, Riverside Ind Est.. Langley Park, Durham, DH7 9TY
