Derbyshire launch force-wide rural crime team
A dedicated rural and wildlife crime team is now operating across Derbyshire to tackle issues that affect our rural and farming communities.
Priorities for the team include: acquisitive crime such as the theft of farming equipment, preventing the persecution of protected species and the illegal trade in endangered species.
The team, who had previously focused only on the Derbyshire Dales area of the county only, will also work with local communities on area-specific wildlife and rural issues.
The expansion has been made possible by extra funding from the increased council tax precept, which was secured by Derbyshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Hardyal Dhindsa.
Mr Dhindsa, who has been supporting calls for increased policing of rural areas since his election, said:
“I have listened to rural communities up and down the county and know they have felt unfairly penalised as a result of the funding cuts of the last nine years.
“Now, thanks to the increase in the amount derived from the local council tax, we are able to boost the capacity of our rural crime team which will make a visible, dedicated difference to the way rural communities can be policed.
“This is what people told me they wanted and I’m delighted for them that we have been able to launch this specialist county-wide team so early in the financial year.”
The newly-expanded team, based at Matlock please station, has seven PCs who are led by a rural crime Sergeant and overseen by an Inspector. It is also further reinforced by special constables and police staff volunteers who have a rural crime focus.
Additional funding from the precept has also allowed for the following new resources, to support the work that officers carry out:
- Police staff who offer rural crime admin and co-ordination support
- Two dedicated drones
- Two additional 4x4s
- A Polaris Ranger Utility Task Vehicle (UTV).
The UTV is not a day-to-day response vehicle, but rather a specialist piece of kit that will allow rural crime officers to patrol previously inaccessible locations. It will also ensure that people and equipment can be transported across remote terrain in emergencies.
Further work is also ongoing to train safer neighbourhood officers across the county, so that they are equipped to respond to the rural and wildlife issues in their local area.
Chief Constable, Peter Goodman said:
“We are committed to making sure we are as responsive as possible to the bespoke needs of our rural communities.
“It is easy, when we have nearly 2000 calls for service a day, to neglect the very real needs of those living and working in the rural environment.
“I am delighted to be able to provide a county wide rural crime team who will work day in day out with our communities prevent crime, deal with antisocial behaviour and protect the most vulnerable using their skills, experience and the latest technology.”
Anyone who wishes to report an incident of rural or wildlife crime is urged to contact us via one of the contact methods below.
The public can also keep-up-to-date with the rural crime team on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ruralcrimeteam/ but please don’t report crime here as the page is not monitored 24/7.
- Facebook – send us a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary
- Twitter – direct message our contact centre on @DerPolContact
- Website – complete the online contact form derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us.
- Phone – call us on 101.
You can also report anonymously by calling the Crimestoppers and National Farmers’ Union rural crime reporting line on 0800 783 0137.
More News From Amber Valley Info
| 459 e-scooters seized to date as action continues Derbyshire Constabulary has seized a further 33 e-scooters during the month of May as part of an ongoing crackdown on illegal use a read more | |
| Twenty Years after first qualifying, amateur rider to realise Horse of the Year dream An amateur rider from Alfreton, Derbyshire, Jane Hemmings has qualified for the prestigious Hor read more | |
| WOMBLE MANIA - The Exhibition - Exclusively at The Heights of Abraham The Wombles are back and are stars of the show this summer at Derbyshire's family-friendly visitor attraction, read more | |
| Patrols Needed To Help School Children Cross The Road Safely Have you got what it takes to help Derbyshire children stay safe as they walk to school? Derbyshire County Council is l read more | |
| New Discounted Bus Travel For 19 to 21 Years Old In Derbyshire Derbyshire County Council is to extend it's popular b_line card, which offers single bus fares for £1.50, to tho read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| When you need to call 999 but can't talk When you need to call 999 but can't talk - the ‘silent solution’ can help. Press 55 on your mobile when prompted, to confirm you are in read more | |
| The opening night of the Lights of Abraham Winter Lights Trail The brand new winter lights trail, the 'Lights of Abraham' opened on Friday 22nd November at the Heights of Abraham in read more | |
| Can You Help DREAM Paranormal With Their Research My name is Simon Dean, Lead Investigator of DREAM paranormal and I am looking for your help. read more | |
| Cold Callers claiming to be working on behalf of Derbyshire County Council Policehave seen and increase in reports of 'cold callers' where people are claiming to be working on behal read more | |
| Subscriptions For Amber Valley Borough Councils 2024 Garden Waste Service Are Now Open The garden waste collection service is available to all residents in Amber Valley except for r read more | |
