Police and Crime Commissioner Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts has welcomed the promise of new police powers aimed at better protecting communities from crime.
The new tranche of measures is outlined in the Government’s Crime and Policing Bill, unveiled in Parliament last week.
Changes include the introduction of a standalone offence for spiking, tougher rules to clampdown on retailers who sell knives to customers under-age, better protection for victims of stalking and the introduction of new Respect Orders to robustly address anti-social behaviour.
New legislation will also remove the need for police to issue a warning before seizing vehicles being ridden anti-socially such as off-road bikes – an approach already in place in Derbyshire to address public concerns around e-scooters.
The changes are all part of the Government’s Plan for Change and Safer Streets mission, which aims to address the highest-harm crimes impacting society such as knife crime, violence against women and girls, cybercrime, child sexual abuse and terrorism.
It will be backed by the recruitment of 13,000 extra neighbourhood policing roles across England and Wales.
Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts said: “These new measures have the best interests of victims at heart. The faster police can solve crimes, and the more stringent action they can take to protect those at risk, the more people we will spare from the trauma of crime, and this should always be a priority.
“There is no such thing as low-level crime. Theft, anti-social behaviour and other street crimes have a devastating emotional impact on their victims and officers should have access to the full suite of powers needed to deliver justice as quickly and as effectively as possible.
“I am pleased the Government is taking stronger action to protect women and girls from violence including a standalone offence for spiking, the strengthening of Stalking Protection Orders and new powers allowing police to release the identity of online stalkers to victims.
“Serious violence including VAWG is a local concern in Derbyshire, which is why I have included it as one of six key priorities in my new Police and Crime Plan. Any action that helps police to relentlessly pursue perpetrators and increase the safety of victims of these crimes is a positive step forward given that VAWG is now a national emergency.
“I am also pleased with the recognition given to the plight of retailers by introducing a new offence of assaulting a shopworker, which will ensure such crimes are treated with the severity they deserve.”
Under the Crime and Policing Bill, which starts its journey to becoming law this week, police will be given enhanced powers against theft of mobile phones – no longer needing a warrant to search properties where stolen items have been electronically geolocated.
In measures to tackle knife crime, the Government is increasing the maximum penalty for the sale of dangerous weapons to under-18s and creating a power to seize, retain and destroy bladed articles found on private property.
Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts added: “All of these proposals are subject to parliamentary approval. Like everyone, I’m keen to see how the details behind the headlines will impact on policing and I will be working with our local MPs and ministers to ensure Derbyshire’s voice is heard. If anyone would like to raise any points on this Bill they can contact me or their local MP.”
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