Rural residents receive stronger local policing

Police in Derbyshire are now better equipped than ever to tackle rural crime thanks to new levels of investment by Derbyshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Angelique Foster. 

Since her election in 2021, the Commissioner’s budget has supported a raft of improvements to the Rural Crime Team (RCT) to ensure rural communities receive the best possible police service. 

During this time, residential burglary rates across rural areas have fallen by 17.5 per cent and business burglary rates by 50.9 per cent. Meanwhile, vehicle crime in rural Derbyshire (including agricultural vehicles) has reduced by 6.2 per cent according to figures comparing 2022-23 data to 2019-20 (the period prior to the Commissioner’s election). 

Delivering on her Police and Crime Plan priority to tackle Rural Crime, the Commissioner has funded new officers, specialist training and technology to improve the RCT’s effectiveness.  This is bringing criminals to justice and increasing public confidence across Derbyshire’s rural communities. 

Recent developments include the introduction of 17 rural crime SPOC (Single Point of Contact) officers across the county who are now undergoing training to learn about rural issues and support the RCT.  In addition, a new shift pattern has been introduced to extend the RCT’s operating hours into the evenings when many rural crimes occur. 

Additionally, the RCT’s newly appointed Rural Community Police Support Officer (PCSO), funded as a result of the Commissioner’s budget, is leading innovative work on livestock worrying, working closely with farmers to raise awareness and encourage reporting.  As a result, 10 offenders have been dealt with by restorative justice and two others charged. 

The Commissioner has also spearheaded a countywide roll-out of an initiative that gives farmers the opportunity to have their vehicles, machinery and equipment securely marked with ‘Datatag’ products at a reduced cost to help deter thieves.

The Commissioner recently announced the launch of a new partnership to fight against Rural Crime.  The partnership will design an action plan specific to Derbyshire with the objective to help prevent and reduce rural crimes. Plans for the creation of a rural crime reduction online ‘hub’ have also been agreed. 

This unique resource will serve as a ‘one stop shop’ for all rural crime issues, offering the public crime prevention advice and information on important issues relating to rural, wildlife and heritage crime.

Police and Crime Commissioner Angelique Foster said: “I want to ensure that our rural residents who live in our small villages and remote rural areas receive the same standards of service as anybody living in our larger town and cities. I am working hard with the force to deliver the support and response they deserve. 

“I am proud of what we have achieved over the past two years. Our RCT has grown significantly, and we now have more officers who understand the unique challenges of policing the countryside and are specially trained to respond to them. Additionally, I have funded new technology, equipment and resources to increase the RCT’s capabilities – investment which is already reducing crime and catching offenders. 

“There is always more to do, and I will continue to push for more improvements within our police force. They have now adopted a new classification system to distinguish between crimes occurring in rural or urban areas which will help to monitor trends and direct resources to where need is most urgent. 

“Building public confidence and trust in rural policing is a priority for us all. We are working hard to deliver the improvements that will help people live their lives without the threat or fear of crime.” 

The RCT has been involved in a series of successful investigations in recent weeks including the recovery of £3k of stolen horse tack, the recovery of a stolen caravan, convictions for offenders who caused damage to historic stain glass windows at Bolsover Castle, and the recovery of stolen plant and farm machinery items and an e-bike.
 
There has also been a successful response to an increase in theft of agricultural equipment. The force identified crimes patterns and put in place new patrol strategies, property marking and other crime prevention initiatives. This resulted in a 32.5 per cent drop in agricultural theft in and positive feedback from farmers about their perceived reduction of theft, particularly of quad bikes.

The Commissioner’s support of crime prevention groups has seen Derbyshire Alert’s ‘Farm Watch’ group increase to more than 2,800 users. A similar Horse Watch group on the platform now has more than 1,200 users.