Erewash Police Officer issues update on work carried out in the borough

Inspector Charlotte Piggott (Credit: Derbyshire Police)

A senior Erewash Police officer has taken to social media to detail the latest work carried out by officers in the borough.

Inspector Charlotte Piggott said that, after a very busy start to 2026, and having listened carefully to issues detailed by members of the public through local networking, online reports and engagement events, analysis has identified a noticeable shift in crime trends, including increases in drug related activity.

In response, Inspector Piggott created ‘Operation Rigger’ – a focussed operation targeting drugs and knife crime across the Erewash area. The aim was to identify and target drug suppliers, disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups and take weapons and drugs from our streets. The enforcement activity was done through dynamic proactive policing, altering response dependent on real time reports.

The operation ran from 16th to 27th February 2026 and led to 25 arrests, 65 stop searches, 27 drug seizures, 9 weapons seized, 10 vehicles seized, £3380 of cash seized from suspected criminal activity, 10 referrals submitted through to social care for vulnerable people and children and 10 people already charged to court, the rest remain under investigation.

The majority of arrests were for drug offences such as possession with intent to supply a controlled drug and possession of offensive weapons or bladed articles. The weapons seized included: butterfly knives, machetes, knuckle dusters, knives and a baton.

Ilkeston and Long Eaton Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team members were joined by representatives from the Force Proactive Team, Operational Support Dog Officers, CCTV Volunteers, Force Intelligence Officers, Division SNTs and Special Constables.

Inspector Piggott said: “These results demonstrate our determination to disrupt criminal activity, remove weapons from our streets and prevent harm within our communities. The intelligence and information provided by residents played a crucial role in shaping the operation, ensuring our activity was directed where it was needed most.

“Tackling drugs, weapon carrying and associated violence remains a priority for us. Operations like this are just one part of our ongoing work, and we will continue to combine enforcement, prevention and partnership approaches to keep people safe.

“Thank you to everyone who continues to report concerns and share information—it genuinely makes a difference. If you see something suspicious, please report it. Your voice helps us take meaningful action. We will continue our work in this area and react to information we receive.

“I am very proud of my team and what they have accomplished in a short space of time. Everyone has worked countless hours, been committed to the operation and have achieved brilliant results.”

Elsewhere, throughout January, officers carried out acquisitive crime patrols in the dark nights and early hours of the morning. This was across the entire section of Erewash. The patrols assisted with providing evidence to support a Criminal Behaviour Order for a prolific offender in the area.

Operation Safe Drive is seeing Ilkeston SNT officers carrying out a road safety operation in Morley Smithy after feedback was received from many community groups about speeding in the area. This will receive an ongoing partnership response.

Long Eaton SNT carried out a road safety operation at West Park Long Eaton on 26th January 2026. They achieved a wealth of results, including 19 tickets issued for mobile phone use whilst driving, 2 vehicles were seized for being used without insurance, 1 disqualified driver was identified and vehicles seized, a traffic offence was identified for a vehicle with 6 defects, whilst other tickets and words of advice covered the subjects of seat belts, unrestrained pets, window tints and lights being defective.

A Problem Management Plan has been created to tackle heightened youth related anti-social behaviour in the Tesco and McDonald’s area on Waverley Street in Long Eaton. Police officers are looking to work with the Community Safety Partnership, Safe and Sound, security and management of the stores and other local community groups.

Safer neighbourhood priorities are set to be renewed at the end of March 2026, whilst a holistic review will be done of not only incident and crime statistics but public surveys, engagement events, Derbyshire Alert and partners to set priorities for the next quarter.

Inspector Piggott encouraged members of the public to sign up to Derbyshire Alert to register views and opinions on a monitored forum. Click here for more information and to sign up.