TyreSafe is proud to announce that Durham Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) Joy Allen and Warwickshire PCC Philip Seccombe have both formally pledged their support to the charity’s national tyre safety initiatives, becoming official partners in its mission to reduce casualties and improve roadworthiness across the UK. PCC Allen and PCC Seccombe serve as the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners’ (APCC) joint leads for roads policing, providing a powerful national platform for this essential work.
The dual partnership underscores Police and Crime Commissioners Allen and Seccombe’s ongoing commitment to improving road safety outcomes for communities across the Northeast and Warwickshire, particularly in light of the rising number of casualties associated with illegal or poorly maintained tyres.
Latest DfT figures reveal that in 2024, 172 people were killed or seriously injured (KSI) due to tyre-related incidents, 19 more than the five-year average. For powered two-wheelers alone, tyre-related KSIs have risen by 24%, reaching their highest level in a decade. Tyre neglect remains an escalating challenge, with over 6 million illegal tyres on UK roads each year and 1 in 5 motorway breakdowns linked to tyre defects. According to the National Tyre Distributors’ Association’s recent “TyreCheck 2025” report, North-East England had the highest illegal tyre rate in Great Britain at 11.8% (compared to the national average of 7.7%), with 537 of 4,552 vehicles examined falling below the legal minimum.
Joy Allen, Durham PCC said, “Road safety is one of my highest priorities, and the rising number of tyre-related collisions is deeply concerning. Something as simple as checking air pressure, tread depth, or visible damage can prevent life-changing injuries and save lives. I’m proud to partner with TyreSafe to help ensure that drivers in County Durham and Darlington understand the risks and have the knowledge and confidence to keep their vehicles safe and roadworthy. Together, we can reduce avoidable harm and make meaningful improvements to the safety of our roads.”
Philip Seccombe, Warwickshire PCC, said: “This partnership with TyreSafe is a clear extension of our national commitment to reducing avoidable harm on our roads. The data on tyre-related incidents is stark, and we need to empower every driver, motorcyclist and fleet operator to take five minutes to check their tyres. In Warwickshire our Road Safety Partnership already supports TyreSafe’s aim to raise awareness of the importance of correct tyre maintenance and the dangers of defective and illegal tyres. I want to see that replicated across the country and by working alongside TyreSafe, we can amplify these crucial safety messages to other PCCs and through the wider road safety network.”
Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe Chair said, “We are delighted to welcome PCC Joy Allen and PCC Philip Seccombe as official TyreSafe partners. Their joint leadership as the APCC Roads Policing Leads will play a crucial role in helping us reach even more drivers with life-saving messages about tyre maintenance. With tyre-related KSIs for the last two years significantly above average and more than half of UK tyres thought to be underinflated, collaboration with road safety champions like Joy and Philip is essential. We look forward to working closely together to support safer journeys across their respective regions and nationally.”
The dual partnership will see both the Durham and Warwickshire PCC offices actively support TyreSafe campaigns throughout 2025–26, including Tyre Safety Month, winter awareness messaging, and targeted interventions for high-risk road users such as young drivers, motorcyclists, and fleet operators.
