The Derbyshire Police and Crime Panel was scheduled to discuss updates on the panel's priorities concerning anti-social behaviour, community safety, and the support and safeguarding of victims. The meeting agenda also included arrangements for the temporary chief officer team and responses to member questions.

Update on Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and Community Safety

The panel was scheduled to receive an update on the progress made regarding the Police and Crime Commissioner's (PCC) strategic priority of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and Community Safety. This update was to summarise ongoing initiatives and activities, supported by Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to pertinent crime types. A detailed Public Assurance Meeting (PAM) report from Derbyshire Constabulary was appended to this item, which had been reviewed by the PCC.

The report highlighted the Derbyshire ASB Hotspot Programme, supported by £1 million in Government Hotspot Policing Grant funding. This programme aims to reduce repeat demand, enhance visibility, and build public trust through targeted, evidence-based models. Hotspot locations are identified through data analysis and local intelligence, receiving enhanced police presence and multi-agency problem-solving responses. The report indicated a 13% reduction in ASB in hotspot areas over the most recent 12-month period compared to the previous year. The programme is delivered through dedicated hotspot patrols, data-driven problem identification using the SARA methodology, neighbourhood engagement and partnership tasking meetings, and technology-enabled patrol monitoring via the Visibeat geofencing application.

The Immediate Justice (IJ) Programme was also detailed, operating alongside hotspot policing to provide swift, visible consequences for lower-level ASB. Since its introduction, 2,103 people had been referred, with 70% completing their activity and 67% not reoffending. The report also touched upon the national legislative context, including the proposed Crime and Policing Bill 2025, which aims to strengthen tools for tackling ASB, introduce new Respect Orders, extend dispersal powers, and make it easier to seize vehicles used antisocially. A new specific offence for assaulting retail workers was also noted.

The report provided detailed progress on twelve sub-objectives under the ASB and Community Safety priority, with a RAG status indicating delivery progression. Key performance indicators were presented, including ASB incident numbers broken down by personal, nuisance, and environmental categories, and the utilisation of various ASB tools and powers.

Update on Supporting Victims and Safeguarding

The panel was also scheduled to receive an update on the PCC's strategic priority of Supporting Victims and Safeguarding. This report was to summarise ongoing initiatives and activities, along with relevant KPIs. A detailed PAM report from Derbyshire Constabulary was appended.

The report highlighted Derbyshire Victim Services (DVS), which provides trauma-informed, victim-centred support through commissioned voluntary and specialist providers. Services include support for adult and young victims, domestic abuse victims at all risk levels, sexual abuse survivors, and access to restorative justice. The PCC commissions these services in collaboration with Derbyshire Constabulary, local authorities, and the health sector, with contract monitoring focusing on referral consistency and service blockers. Specialist provision includes Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs), Children's Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (CHISVA), and Adult Independent Sexual Advisors (ISVAs).

The report referenced the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024, which elevates victim rights to a statutory, inspectable requirement, and the forthcoming Victims and Courts Bill, expected to enhance protections by prohibiting the misuse of Non-Disclosure Agreements and strengthening the powers of the Victims' Commissioner.

Progress was detailed across eleven sub-objectives, with a RAG status indicating delivery progression. Key performance indicators included data on Quality Assurance Thematic Testing (QATT) for Victim Needs Assessments (VNAs), showing sustained improvement. Statistics on Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs), Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs), and the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) were presented, indicating an increase in their use. The report also detailed the force's commitment to a victims first culture, with training for officers and staff, and the use of technology such as the GoodSAM video platform to improve victim engagement and generate efficiencies. Safeguarding efforts for vulnerable children and adults at risk of exploitation were also outlined, including the restructuring of exploitation response teams and collaboration with partners.

Temporary Chief Officer Team Arrangements

The panel was to be updated on the interim chief officer arrangements following the retirement of Chief Constable Rachel Swann on 11 May 2026. The report outlined that Deputy Chief Constable Simon Blatchly would assume the role of Acting Chief Constable. Michelle Shooter, currently Assistant Chief Constable, would be appointed Temporary Deputy Chief Constable, and Chief Superintendent Gemma Booth would become Temporary Assistant Chief Constable. These arrangements were intended to ensure continuity, stability, and resilience ahead of the appointment of a substantive Chief Constable in early 2027, supporting operational commitments and preparations for the Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy (PEEL) inspection.

Responses to Member Questions

The panel was scheduled to receive responses to questions submitted by its members. One question addressed the PCC's view on the Home Secretary's proposals regarding the potential disposal of Derbyshire Constabulary and the resultant loss of local accountability. The response indicated that many details were still unknown, with the PCC awaiting the outcome of an independent review. The response noted that proposed wider changes to force boundaries were planned for the next Parliament and that the White Paper indicated regional force governance would operate through a scaled-up Police and Crime Board model, intended to maintain a strong local voice. The commitment to strengthening local policing and setting local priorities was also highlighted.

The meeting was scheduled to conclude with noting the date of the next meeting.