Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner Angelique Foster has published details of the budget for policing Derbyshire in 2023-24, which will deliver further significant improvements to policing across the county.
The 2023-24 budget will provide the Chief Constable with the resources necessary to build on the considerable progress in service delivery made since 2021, to deliver the strong local policing that residents have said they want and expect.
The Commissioner, in agreeing the budget, made it clear that she will scrutinise progress in detail to ensure that this investment delivers the improvements she expects alongside value for money for the taxpayer.
At a meeting held recently, the Commissioner welcomed the many positive outcomes resulting from her 2022-23 budget including meeting the recruitment target of 283 extra officers; a tougher and more proactive approach to tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) – such as the introduction of ASB coordinators; a significant reduction in burglary and increased enforcement on the roads.
Amongst a raft of other achievements it was revealed that the rural crime team has been boosted significantly and a Safeguarding Hub has been created alongside the appointment of a stalking coordinator and stalking advocates as part of the Commissioner’s strategy to increase the safety of women and girls.
In the coming year, the Commissioner’s budget is designed to build on these positive outcomes and strengthen the Constabulary’s work to deliver on the key priorities in her Police and Crime Plan.
The budget for policing Derbyshire in 2023-24 is £219.47m. This includes a 5.9% increase in the portion of the council tax that goes towards policing (the police precept). This equates to £1.25 a month (£15 per annum) for a Band D (the average) property. The majority of properties in Derby City and Derbyshire are rated lower than a Band D and therefore pay a lower rate, for example, a Band B property will pay an additional 97p per month (£11.67 per annum).
Commissioner Angelique Foster said: “Since 2021 Derbyshire Constabulary has worked hard to deliver the key priorities set out in my Police and Crime Plan. These priorities were established after feedback from local residents and on their behalf I welcome the significant progress made to date and the tangible improvements to service delivery.
“However policing, like many other services, has been impacted by the economic crisis and my budget this year has been set against a backdrop of rising inflation and increased demands. We must ensure that we provide enough resources to policing so that we are able to meet costs while continuing to build on our success and deliver the improvements we all want to see.
“Local issues must remain at the front and centre of service delivery.
“Residents want to see more police in their neighbourhoods, preventing crime and pursuing criminals. They want to see criminals arrested and charged for their offences. They want easier and consistent access to the police wherever they live, they want the roads to be safer and they want to see crime and anti-social behaviour reduce.
“The budget has been developed specifically to support and enhance the delivery of the services that meet these local priorities.
“This budget provides the Chief Constable with the resources that our police force needs to further enhance neighbourhood policing, to cut crime, to keep people safe, to boost the response to rural crime, to improve road safety, and continue to improve the 101 and 999 call handling response.
“Specialist teams addressing areas such as anti-social behaviour; burglary, robberies and theft; and rape and serious sexual offences will enhance the zero-tolerance response to criminality that people want to see.
“I am also pleased to confirm that PCSO recruitment will continue in recognition of the valuable contribution our PCSOs make to neighbourhood policing teams. It is imperative that we continue the work to deliver strong local policing, addressing the issues that matter most to people in our different communities.
“This year’s budget will help to maintain our extra police numbers and deliver the quality of services local people deserve. It will also ensure the police bring more criminals to justice and protect our law-abiding residents from becoming victims of crime.
“I have made it clear to the Chief Constable that I will scrutinise police performance closely on behalf of the public, to ensure that services continue to improve.”
In accordance with the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act, the Commissioner will now present her budget to the Police and Crime Panel at a meeting due to take place on Thursday 26th January 2023.