Safety reassurance after PPO numbers fall in Derby

Increased public protection patrols are tackling anti-social behaviour in Derby city centre. Image by LDRS

Public safety is “paramount” Derby leaders have stressed despite the number of protection officers on the city’s streets falling.

Reassurances were made after a leading councillor revealed that the number of current Public Protection Officers (PPOs) serving Derby recently fell to 4.5 – that is four full-time officers and one part-time role in the city.

The fall comes despite the Labour-led Derby City Council having a budget for 15 patrol officers once fully recruited.

PPOs are not police officers but are employed by the council to offer a high visibility presence in the city. They have powers to issue fines and clamp down on anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Sarah Chambers, cabinet member for public safety, told a city council meeting that numbers had fallen as two PPOs had moved on and two others had been sacked.

When asked why they were dismissed, a council spokesperson said it would not comment on employment matters.

However, Labour leaders at the council say a recruitment drive is well under way to get the numbers back up following the fall.

Labour said the council historically had a budget for 20 PPOs but there was “a 50 per cent reduction in funding” before it came to power. It then provided funding for five more officers.

In the autumn the Labour administration recruited more PPOs to boost safety across the city.

Over the past year more PPOs have been seen patrolling the city centre following public alarm over safety.

This followed serious incidents last year including a murder inside a bank and a daylight robbery of a pawnbroker’s shop.

The extra visibility was welcomed by shoppers when speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) a few months ago.

In response to the depletion of PPOs in Derby, Cllr Chambers, said the safety of residents was “paramount”.

She said: “Residents should be reassured that public safety is paramount to the council and the network of agencies we collaborate with.

“Day-to-day safety is a team effort, and our PPOs work closely with the police, other council teams, and outreach and support services. They do not replace the role of the police but instead focus primarily on anti-social behaviour and environmental crime.

“Recruitment for additional officers is well under way, with several already in post or due to start shortly, and we are currently shortlisting applicants for the remaining vacancies.

“We continue to prioritise community safety and will keep investing in and strengthening our partnership work to help ensure Derby remains a safe and welcoming city.”

But Conservative group leader Steve Hassall believed there was an issue with the recruitment process and retaining officers in their posts.

He said: “The numbers do concern me. There is obviously a real problem in recruitment and retention. It doesn’t bode well for city safety. “