Derbyshire Constabulary’s capacity to tackle rural crime has been boosted with the addition of new resources and training.
My recent budget has supported the increase of the force’s Rural Crime Team (RCT), which now comprises one Police Sergeant, seven Police Constables, one Wildlife and Rural Coordinator and a newly appointed Rural Crime Police Community Support Officer (PCSO).
This investment is paying dividends. In response to concerns about the theft of agricultural equipment, the team has successfully implemented new ways of working that has seen and this type of crime decrease by 32.5%. I’m pleased to hear the positive feedback from the farming community. In addition, PCSO Spencer Nixon is leading on a host of crime prevention initiatives including work to address livestock worrying and the roll-out of track marking equipment to tackle thefts impacting the equine community.
To support the work of the RCT, a new network of 13 rural crime Single Point of Contacts (SPOCs) have been established across the force’s Safer Neighbourhood Teams in the High Peak, Derbyshire Dales, Amber Valley, North East, Ilkeston and South Derbyshire areas. These officers, trained in a range of rural crime powers and interventions, will enhance police service delivery to rural communities.
