Agenda item

To meet with the new PCC and hear about her plans with particular interest in North East Derbyshire.

Commissioner Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts, Police and Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire and Police Representatives

The new Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Derbyshire presented Committee with the Police and Crime Plan for Derbyshire 2024-2029. The presentation included a breakdown of strategic priorities and an overview of the key partnerships the PCC was working in. This was followed by a question and answer session on the key topics that had been submitted by Communities Scrutiny Committee prior to the meeting. The PCC was joined by colleagues from the Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) to help answer questions about specific issues affecting the district.

Committee welcomed the informative presentation. Members considered the questions on the key issues affecting the district that had been circulated prior to the meeting. This included questions on police visibility, rural crime, e-scooters, violence against women and girls and road safety.

Committee discussed Police Community Officers attending Parish meetings. It was accepted that organisational challenges and priorities prevented Officers from attending every meeting. In this context, it was suggested that Officers could send a report to Parish meetings when unable to attend.

Committee heard that there was a focus on improving the 101 service, with several positive changes being made in July of 2024. It was shared that there were still some challenges affecting the service and victim satisfaction would remain a highly important topic to be worked on. Some Members requested statistics on call handle rates since the changes implemented in July. It was suggested that these figures be shared outside of the meeting.

Committee received an update on the ongoing projects concerning police stations in Clay Cross and Killamarsh. Officers from the SNT addressed questions relating to the composition of the team manning the stations, the benefits of the new police stations and traffic issues resulting from the project in Killamarsh. In this context, the Officers explained the role and advantages of the SNT.

It was shared that rural policing was a high priority for the new PCC. In this context, Members heard that there is a specific rural crime team to tackle crimes unique to rural communities. The likelihood of this team being expanded was discussed. Some Members requested detailed figures on rural crime rates and response times. It was suggested that these figures be shared outside of the meeting.

Committee discussed the challenge that violence against women and girls represented to the District. The PCC explained the steps being taken to address the issue and emphasized the need to focus on perpetrators. In this context, the Call It Out campaign was highlighted as encouraging the challenge of unacceptable behaviour. Committee heard that NEDDC and PCC were working in partnership to support communities affected by violence against women and girls.

Committee heard about the work being done to remove e-scooters from the streets and were informed that the seize and dispose initiative that had been in place since November 2024 had resulted in 264 e-scooters being seized.

Committee discussed road safety and dangerous driving issues affecting the District. Committee were updated on the powers the Police had to address dangerous vehicles. Some Members highlighted specific locations, particularly around schools, where road safety is an issue. Committee were updated on the measures to prevent dangerous driving and improve road safety. Members heard that community organisations will be able to apply for funding in order to set up Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs). The process of applying for funding and the capacity/challenges of running SIDs were discussed.

Members had further questions regarding specific cases of arson, out of court disposals and the funding being made available to support the recruitment of more Police Officers.

Members wished to congratulate the Derbyshire Constabulary on recent convictions and expressed overall appreciation of Police work in the District. It was shared that this would be passed on to the relevant teams.

Committee thanked the PCC and colleagues for attending the committee meeting and providing informative responses to the key issues affecting the District.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:52.

The meeting reconvened at 12:00.