PCC meets partners to agree collaboration for tough action to combat rural crime

Angelique Foster, Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner, has called local and national partners together to agree a new action plan to prevent and reduce rural crime in Derbyshire.

The Commissioner launched The Derbyshire Partnership Against Rural Crime (DPARC) in September 2023 as part of her plan to make Derbyshire the safest county in the country and to promote its work as a national leader in preventing and reducing rural crime.

The partnership gives rural communities across Derbyshire a stronger and united voice on rural crime issues and pushes for the improvements rural residents need to protect their property and livelihoods.

The Commissioner chaired the partnership's second board meeting at County Hall this week (31/1/24) where members reviewed a draft Derbyshire Rural Crime Strategy for the county and contributed to a new Action Plan to help drive forward improvements.

The strategy provides details of the Commissioner's extensive engagement work with rural communities and identifies three key areas of focus for partners: preventing and tackling rural crime, supporting victims and combatting rural vulnerability, and improving communication and engagement.

DPARC members, who include Derbyshire Constabulary, Derbyshire County Council, Rural Action Derbyshire, National Trust, Historic England, British Horse Society, Natural England, the National Farmers' Union and other local and national charities, have already agreed to the creation and launch of a Derbyshire Rural Crime Prevention and Support Hub which was discussed during the meeting.

The new online resource, expected to launch next month (February), will serve as a ‘one stop shop' for all rural crime-related issues and will offer the public crime prevention advice and information on current issues relating to rural, wildlife and heritage crime as well direct them to specialised support.

Members also received an update on operational work to combat rural crime by the award-winning Derbyshire Constabulary Rural Crime Team.

Police and Crime Commissioner Angelique Foster said: "DPARC was launched to bring together all relevant partners to join forces against rural crime in Derbyshire. It brings a whole host of rural experts together to tackle the ongoing and emerging threats to our rural communities. Derbyshire is already recognised nationally for the effective work it has undertaken to address rural crime and it is important for all of us that this continues.

"We have already made some headway in identifying where improvements are needed most and are working hard on designing solutions. The launch of a Rural Crime Prevention Hub will enhance our engagement and communication with rural residents and victims of crime and will allow partners to share our successes which will be critical to building trust and confidence within our rural communities and reducing fear."

DPARC board members meet quarterly to share pressing issues and concerns facing rural residents and provide an update on their current work and initiatives to identify possible areas of collaboration.