Funding announced for Neighbourhood Policing in Derbyshire

The Home Office has confirmed that Derbyshire, together with every police force in England and Wales, will receive funding as part of its plan to transform neighbourhood policing.

As part of this, Derbyshire is set to receive funding for 35 police officers this year, that will be dedicated to neighbourhood policing across the county, as part of the Government’s commitment to provide a further 13000 neighbourhood officers and staff nationally by 2029.

These officers will be visible on our streets later in the year once recruitment and training has taken place.

Chief Constable Rachel Swann said: “Neighbourhood policing is well embedded across our county and has been for many years. Each area has a dedicated team that focusses on issues raised by the local community. This funding will assist in enhancing that service by bolstering the numbers of officers on teams.

“Visible policing is important to the communities of Derbyshire and should remain at the heart of what we do; by seeing and recognising local officers it goes a long way to ensure that people feel safer in the areas they live, work and visit.”

Assistant Chief Constable Michelle Shooter, who leads on neighbourhood policing in Derbyshire and holds the National Police Chiefs’ Council Neighbourhood Policing Portfolio, said: “As a passionate advocate and believer in the value of neighbourhood policing, and with my national role, we have been in the fortunate position of being directly involved in working with Home Office colleagues, the College of Policing and other key stakeholders across the NPCC on developing the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.

“In Derbyshire, I know that day in, day out neighbourhood officers work tirelessly to prevent crime and protect communities from harm. This work is not always glamorous and can go unseen, but I know that they have a real positive impact on peoples’ lives.

“That said, I am determined that the people of Derbyshire will continue to see improvement in our response to local issues and I will strive to use these additional 35 officers to make further real difference in our communities.”