Latest news with #PoliceAndCrimeCommissioner
BBC News
5 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Rise in drug trafficking in Derbyshire, report says
Drug trafficking in Derbyshire has increased by more than 60% compared to pre-Covid levels, according to new report by the county's police and crime commissioner says the number of trafficking "occurrences" in 2024 was 1,034, compared to 636 in also said drug deaths in the county had increased by 10% over the past two years, though it did not say how many people had Police said there were a number of factors contributing to the increases, including improved recording processes. As of January this year, police had mapped eight county lines drug shut down about 36 in 2024 and "significantly weakened" 179 others, with 34 children involved in county lines report noted that Derbyshire Police was "constantly closing and mapping new lines in conjunction with the current intelligence and risk picture". Meanwhile Derby North was highlighted as the area with the most drug possession offences in 2024 with a total of had the second highest at 190 and Derbyshire Dales had the lowest number with 66. The report estimated more than 5,000 people across Derbyshire currently use heroin and crack cocaine, although most of these are also receiving added in the past 12 months there had been 1,885 admissions to Derbyshire's hospitals related to heroin and other harmful drugs, with an average cost each time of £3,000. Derbyshire Police said improvements in how crimes are recorded, officers taking a "proactive approach" to targeting drug gangs, and additional training around stop-and-search procedures could have impacted the increase seen in drug trafficking. A spokesperson told the BBC: "If officers are on the front foot and making more arrests and catching criminals, then this will be reflected in the figures."We have a team of officers dedicated to tackling issues associated with drug trafficking, including exploitation and county lines gangs." Derbyshire Police said the use of synthetic opioids was contributing to an increase in drug-related deaths. Officers have been trained to administer Naloxone, a life-saving emergency antidote to opioid overdose, to combat the of June, it had been used to treat people 20 times since May 1,300 officers have been trained to administer the drug in Derbyshire while more than 900 officers in frontline roles have volunteered to carry say that one woman received naloxone on four separate occasions after officers suspected she had taken an overdose each time she was located. The Derbyshire Police spokesperson said while drug-related deaths were increasing nationally, "significant efforts" were being made in Derbyshire to bring the number down"This includes an increase in the availability of specialist treatment and recovery supports for people with drug (and, or alcohol) problems," they said."A multi-agency local drug information system has been established to monitor risks associated with drug use and take actions to reduce risks."Police and partner agencies also have a drug and alcohol-related death multi-agency review process, which seeks to review deaths, learn lessons and inform strategy to prevent further fatalities" The report also said alcohol misuse is also a significant issue in the county with almost 12,000 people dependent on alcohol and only 2,500 receiving and crime commissioner Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts said: "Every drug-related death is tragic and, in most cases, preventable."Partners have made progress and there has been a 9.6% increase of adults in treatment."No-one is under any illusions that there is anything other than more work to do. I will work with all the partners and agencies to ensure this delivers the progress we need to see."
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Lincoln's 'Ryvita building': Offer made on former police station
A potential buyer has been found for a former Lincoln police station dubbed the "Ryvita building".The building, which was built in 1973 to a design resembling the well-known cracker, closed in 2019 when Lincolnshire Police moved to a new centre in the several false starts, including a sale that fell through last year, the building is now "under offer", the website of commercial estate agent Lambert Smith Hampton asking price has not been made public. Lincolnshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones previously said he was keen to find a community use for the building, such as key worker said any funds from the sale would be reinvested in landmark structure stands on a 1.13 acre (0.46 ha) site on the corner of West Parade and Beaumont Fee and includes a car to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the online listing said the building "would suit a variety of alternative uses" including leisure, retail, housing and office space. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Click here to download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and here to download the BBC News app from Google Play for Android devices.
BBC News
30-06-2025
- BBC News
Lancashire grants for groups tackling violence against women
Grants of up to £5,000 are now available to support projects that address violence against women and Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw launched the initiative which focuses on prevention, survivor support and creating safer projects could include educational campaigns, early intervention efforts, support for survivors or programmes that work with perpetrators to change harmful community groups and parish and town councils have been encouraged to apply before the deadline on 21 July. The latest funding round follows a similar grant initiative launched in May, focused on tackling anti-social behaviour through diversionary activity and community rounds are set to follow, including support to reduce reoffending. Policing priority All projects are being funded by proceeds from crime, where cash seized from offenders is used to boost safety in Grunshaw said: "Preventing violence against women and girls is a Police and Crime Plan priority and I'm pleased to continue working with local organisations to help deliver achieve this."This fund is part of the broader strategy to reduce victimisation and increase positive outcomes."With a focus on key policing priorities throughout the year - starting with this initiative and building on work tackling anti-social behaviour - I'm trying to ensure that public funds deliver real impact where it's needed most." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
BBC News
20-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Cleveland Police confirms new chief constable as Victoria Fuller
A deputy chief constable will step up to the top job after her nomination was unanimously Fuller had been named as the preferred candidate to replace Cleveland Police Chief Constable Mark Webster when he retires next area's police and crime panel, which is made up of elected and independent members, had the power to ratify or veto the Police and Crime Commissioner's proposed candidate, but said it was impressed with her "vision for the force".Mrs Fuller joined the force in May 2022, having started her career at Durham Police in 1999, where she served for 23 years. Chair of the all-party panel councillor Tony Riordan said she had been enthusiastic about continually improving the force during her hearing."We felt she impressed us all with her wealth of operational knowledge, her vision for the force and her passion for providing the people of Cleveland with a first-class police service," he chief constable Mr Webster had been appointed in 2022, and helped lift the troubled force out of special force had been described as "clueless" and was found to be putting the public at risk, before eventually being assessed to have made "significant" improvements by and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey said: "She brings stability to Cleveland Police at a time when it is more important than ever to maintain the outstanding progress highlighted during the force's last inspection."Mrs Fuller is expected to take up her post in July when Mr Webster retires. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
