Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner Angelique Foster has been meeting the new recruits helping to deliver a strong and visible policing presence across the county.
Derbyshire Constabulary has welcomed an extra 351 police officers since the uplift programme was launched – exceeding the recruitment target set by the Government.
The new officers have been deployed to a range of frontline roles to provide the visible policing presence the Police and Crime Commissioner pledged in her Police and Crime Plan. The latest cohort are still receiving training to prepare them for duty.
These officers are playing a vital role as the Commissioner delivers on her commitment to boost police numbers and strengthen local policing.
Police and Crime Commissioner Angelique Foster, who has been meeting many of the new recruits on the beat in recent weeks, said: “I know that people want to see strong local policing in their communities. Since my election in 2021, I have pushed for improvements to help officers tackle crime more effectively, increase police visibility and bring more offenders to justice.
“I have made it clear that I expect a ‘zero laissez faire’ attitude to the problems that impact the lives of those who live and work in Derbyshire. The increase in officer numbers has been critical to that, with more than 300 additional officers boosting the policing presence in our communities and increasing public confidence.
“It is important that residents not only see our officers in their communities but are able to speak with them or contact them easily. Shortly after I was elected, I worked with the force to introduce a Neighbourhood Policing Charter setting out the high standards of communication and services the public can expect from officers. This is now fully embedded across the force, and I continue to monitor progress in this area to ensure our communities are being updated and consulted as frequently as possible.
“It is vital that people feel safe. By focusing on key issues such neighbourhood crimes such as burglary, road safety and anti-social behaviour, as violence against women and girls, with extra funding provided by our Government, we are making significant progress in Derbyshire. I will continue to ensure that Derbyshire Constabulary provide the strong local policing people want and deserve.”
The uplift programme is part of a wider plan of action from the Government to tackle crime.
The Beating Crime Plan is aimed at delivering the necessary change needed for a safer Britain and includes record investment in new officers with a £17.2bn policing budget for 2023/24 and tougher powers for police officers and the courts to tackle serious crime via the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act. The Government has also committed £100m towards its Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy to protect the vulnerable in society.
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