Derbyshire council workers says child abuse and burglary should be top of police’s crime agenda

Derbyshire police and the county’s deputy police comissioner have been interviewing council staff on their views on crime.

The survey showed ore than 40 per cent of Derby City Council employees and Derby City residents believe child abuse and burglary should be top of the policing agenda, a new survey has revealed.

In the latest of a series of consultation events, Derbyshire Constabulary representatives alongside Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Hardyal Dhindsa surveyed council employees and local residents at the Council House on May 8 to find out how they feel about policing and wider issues concerning public safety.

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A total of 266 questionnaires were completed and an initial analysis shows four in ten people believe child abuse and child exploitation – as well as burglary – are the biggest risks to the area followed by drug dealing and supply and gun crime and gangs, both chosen by around 32% of respondents.

Of those who took part in the survey, 62.1% agreed that the Police and the local council are dealing with the anti-social behaviour and crime issues that matter in their area. Almost a quarter of people (22.4%) thought that crime had decreased in the past 12 months, while 58.2% thought that it had stayed the same and 19.5% thought that it has increased. The reality is that crime in Derby City has increased by 5% in the past financial year.

Mr Dhindsa said: “Child abuse and burglary are very serious issues for the Force and we are working hard to address them and reduce the threat posed to the public. These crimes are both very emotive and it’s understandable that residents need reassurance that we are doing our best to protect them. Surveys such as this help us to channel resources to where need is greatest.

“I would like to thank Derby City Council for taking part and letting us survey both employees and members of the public who were visiting at the time. This is valuable partnership working particularly as we had a high number of surveys completed on the day.”

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The Over to You initiative replaces the Have Your Say consultation as the county’s largest annual feedback scheme. Local people are invited to take part in a survey about policing and issues that affect their lives. They are also offered crime prevention advice to help them protect themselves and their property from crime. Results from the surveys will be published in December.

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