Top policing priorities for Derbyshire communities outlined by PCC

Thousands of residents in Derbyshire have used their voice to set the future direction of policing across the county.

In what has been the biggest response to a survey of its kind in Derbyshire, more than 3,300 people contributed to Police and Crime Commissioner Nicole Ndiweni-Roberts’ first public consultation in office. 

The PCC launched the online poll at Bakewell Agricultural Market in July as part of the groundwork to launching her first Police and Crime Plan and received 3,340 responses before the deadline of September 1st.

Promising to give residents an unprecedented role in the design of plans to build a safer and more inclusive Derbyshire, the PCC said her work would be driven "by the people for the people’ and would empower residents to drive future change in the way they wanted."

Three issues have emerged as clear priorities for the public according to the survey findings: Serious Violence (including Violence Against Women and Girls), Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and Neighbourhood Policing.

These priorities are consistently – and almost exclusively – ranked as the top three priorities across all local authority areas, voted for by more than half of all respondents. 

Other key priorities raised were Bringing Offenders to Justice, Drugs and Substance Misuse, Supporting Victims & Safeguarding, Road Safety, Rural Crime and Online Safety. 

Residents also raised issues in their responses such as speeding, knife crime, racism and e-scooters, an issue on which the PCC has already promised a tougher stance. 

Nicolle said: “The response to the survey shows the importance of going into communities and giving our residents a chance to voice their priorities. I would like to thank everyone who took the time to contribute their views. 

“Connected communities are safer communities. This is why I will be putting so much of my time and effort into getting to know our communities and understanding the issues that matter to them during my term. 

“An overwhelming number of residents believe VAWG, Serious Violence, Anti-social Behaviour and Neighbourhood Policing should be prioritised moving forward.

“My Plan belongs to the public and I will be studying the detail of this survey with my team over the coming weeks to ensure my Police and Crime Plan accurately represents the views and needs of all of Derbyshire’s unique and culturally diverse communities.   

“Before becoming Commissioner, I vowed to take a partnership approach to tackling crime and there is no greater partnership in my eyes than the residents we are elected to serve. My Plan will be built on the principle of being able to achieve far more when working in collaboration and solving issues together.”

Alongside ranking the top nine crime priorities, people also raised the importance of improving confidence in the police, ensuring crimes are solved and prevented and that offenders are dealt with robustly. 

Many also said they wanted local officers to know their areas and engage with residents while also being seen to be impartial and acting with integrity.

Several residents also raised the issue of illegal and inconsiderate parking. Although this is usually a local authority issue, the new Commissioner has made it clear that she is keen to work with local partners to solve problems raised by residents.