New Police Inspector for Erewash provides his first quarterly update

The new Police Inspector for Erewash has provided his first quarterly update for the area.

Inspector Fowkes detailed that a busy start to the year had continued into the second quarter with work to tackle the problems raised by members of the public through neighbourhood meetings, online reporting and local engagement events.

In the fight to tackle drug related crime, a policing operation was carried out in the Ilkeston area; utilising stop search powers. 16 person searches led to positive finds and 2 arrests.

Over the last quarter, 26 investigations were opened into possession, possession with intent to supply and production of controlled substance offences through proactive patrol and response to community intelligence. 19 of these investigations led to a positive outcome, some individuals receiving diversionary activity where appropriate, and others being charged and put before the court.

Tackling cquisitive crime, the team has worked to robustly deal with prolific priority offenders, with a 48% positive outcome rate for retail theft reports. One individual was served with a criminal behaviour order for theft which is valid for 2 years. A male arrested for 5 business burglary offences on Bath Street, Ilkeston was convicted at court.

A problem-solving response has been utilised in Long Eaton, with the involvement of shop staff, business retail crime reduction teams and the community safety partnership to improve processes and reduce offending levels in town centre shops.

Prolific offenders were arrested, charged and went onto receive custodial sentences for multiple theft offences and breaches of criminal behaviour orders. This activity was supported by a targeted operation using additional plain clothes and high visibility patrols, above the daily policing capabilities.

Target hardening and crime prevention inputs have been delivered in conjunction with community safety partners. Online engagement and pop-up stands in Ilkeston Market Place have helped to raise awareness around personal and property security. Tool and bike marking events have been run, and there will be an ongoing effort to continue to advertise these into the next quarter.

As part of work to deal with vehicle-related anti-social behaviour, the teams have targeted hotspot locations and conducted Speed Watch patrols. There has been a noticeable reduction of speeding in a problem management location at Morley. Speed checks will continue to ensure the lower speed levels are maintained.

Educational inputs around the dangers and legality of off-road bikes have been delivered in schools. Three E-scooters were seized on the National Day of Action for illegal use, in addition to the further seizures of E-bikes across West Park and the canal path at Long Eaton.

Officers acted on information from members of the public to target Surron bikes attending an address late at night, successfully targeting and recovering a large quantity of drugs.

Other anti-social behaviour has been tackled by using civil powers to issue street drinkers with community protection warnings and notices, with an aim of reducing anti-social behaviour at Station Road, Long Eaton, working in partnership with British Transport Police and Network Rail to disrupt the activity in this area.

There has also been joint work with housing providers to tackle multiple reports of Anti-social behaviour around Bonsall Court, Long Eaton. 1 resident in the area has been issued with an acceptable behaviour contract.

For the quarter of July to September 2026, Safer Neighbourhood teams have already shared their objectives:

These include:

Long Eaton SNT

• Focus on cross border activity, working with our neighbouring forces to tackle those entering, occupying and committing drug related crime in our area.
• Working to prevent serious violence and weapon related crimes.
• Tackling anti-social behaviour within our public spaces, proven to increase during the summer months.

Ilkeston SNT

• Targeting the consumption of alcohol in public spaces and anti-social behaviour that it can lead to.
• Focusing on youth related anti-social behaviour.
• Proactively tackling vehicle related anti-social behaviour.

A number of Community Catch Up Events have also been set up across the borough, all of which are listed on the Derbyshire Constabulary website.