A survey asking residents in Derby and Derbyshire about the funding they pay towards policing and community safety has been launched by Derbyshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner.
Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts recently unveiled her Police and Crime Plan, the priorities of which mirror the views of residents across the force area. As she prepares to set her first budget for the 2025-26 financial year, she is asking for people’s views on any increase in the amount of Council Tax paid towards policing, known as the ‘policing precept’.
Residents are being asked whether they would be prepared to pay an additional £1.25 and £1.50 per month (equivalent to between £15 and £18 per year), which would fund a number of improvements, including more police officers.
Nicolle said: “We are living in very challenging financial times, where any increase for some residents may be difficult. Residents have my word that I will work with the Chief Constable and the Government to ensure every penny we get will be used to make a difference. I am also determined that people will feel the difference in their community.”
Not long after being elected Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner in May, Nicolle launched a widespread public consultation on policing in Derby and Derbyshire. It asked residents about the crime and anti-social behaviour issues of most concern to them to help identify areas where additional focus was needed to keep people safe and feeling safe. Thousands of people took part in that survey, the results of which were made public in October.
Nicolle said: “Residents made their position clear in my consultation, prioritising the offences which cause the most harm, such as serious violence and violence against women and girls. They want to see anti-social behaviour reduced, greater police visibility and effective strategies to prevent crime such as drug dealing. They want more enforcement on our roads to boost road safety for all road users, they want to see rural crime tackled effectively, and they want online crime reduced. They told me that it was important that offenders are brought to justice swiftly and a better service provided for victims, and anyone impacted by crime.”
Nicolle said she has discussed these priorities with Derbyshire Police’s Chief Constable who said these expectations can be met – but it would require investment. She added: “At this point in time we do not know what the Central Government Police Grant will look like, but we do know that around 40% of our funding will be coming from the police portion of the local Council Tax. That’s why it’s really important to know how much additional funding local residents are prepared to pay to support the delivery of the police service they want and deserve.”
Alternative options include paying between £1 and £1.25 extra, which would not entirely cover the costs of essential services, but with the internal savings would help the force manage the impact of increased costs and maintain current service levels. Residents could pay between 67p and £1 extra, which would not entirely cover the increased cost of essential services and result in a reduction to some services or they could simply opt for no increase at all.
Nicolle said: “I urge every Derbyshire resident to complete the survey. which will only take a couple of minutes. It’s really important to understand how much residents are prepared to pay towards an improved police service. This is their police service, and as PCC I am the voice of the public, so I’m asking them to get involved and let me know their views.
“I really believe that if we work together, we can build the safer and stronger Derbyshire that we all wish to see.”
To take the survey click: https://www.derbyshire-pcc.gov.uk/news/pcc-asks-public-for-views-on-police-budget/
