Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner Angelique Foster continues to deliver robust scrutiny and challenge on the work carried out by Derbyshire Constabulary to tackle violence against women and girls.
The Commissioner made tackling violence against women and girls a key priority in her Police and Crime Plan and has been relentless in her work to drive improvements in enforcement, safeguarding and the support provided to victims.
The Commissioner recently heard evidence of Derbyshire Constabulary's progress in meeting her clearly defined expectations at her latest Performance Scrutiny Meeting (PSM), which focussed on violence against women and girls, and welcomed the significant improvements made to date, which have been helped by the additional resources she has invested in this critical area of work. However, she said that there was more to be done and that she would be relentless in her determination to see this delivered swiftly and effectively.
Commissioner Angelique Foster said: "I have made it clear that Derbyshire Constabulary must have a zero-tolerance approach to violence against women and girls. This is what our communities expect and what must be delivered.
"By scrutinising the work to achieve this and relentlessly challenging for better performance we are seeing significant improvements. But there is more to do.
"My Performance Scrutiny Meetings not only provide the opportunity to shine a spotlight on the work that has been delivered by the force and evaluate its impact, but they highlight areas where further improvements are necessary. I will continue to hold the Chief Constable and her team to account for delivering those improvements.
"In addition, my meetings offer members of the public the opportunity to send in questions, knowing that they will be answered by the most senior of police officers or myself.
"As today's meeting heard, while I welcome the progress we are seeing, I am determined to push for more. I want to see more prevention work, more enforcement, swifter justice and exemplary support for victims.
"Violence against women and girls is never acceptable, should never be tolerated and those who perpetuate this type of behaviour need to know that they will be held to account."
A video of the meeting, including the responses to public questions, will be on-line shortly.