Funding announced for new police officers in county

Derbyshire Police has announced plans to recruit, train and deploy 35 new officers across the county by March 2026.

It will cost £2.8m and is part of the government's £200m fund to boost the number of frontline officers across England and Wales by 13,000.

The extra units will be a mixture of neighbourhood policing officers, community support officers and special constables.

Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner's office (PCC) said the recruitment process will begin in the next few months.

The force said the funding will focus on police presence to improve community engagement and prevent crime such as anti-social behaviour, theft, and violence against women and girls.

A PCC report added the funding will cover costs including uniforms, equipment, IT hardware and vehicles, as well as training and recruitment expenses.

The force will develop a "rollout plan" in order to assign officers to areas based on threat, risk, and policing demand.

A PCC spokesperson said: "The funding will also support the introduction of dedicated officers assigned to specific communities, fostering stronger relationships between the police and the public.

"This approach is expected to build trust and confidence in local policing, addressing the pressing issue of low public confidence.

"The initiative also includes the establishment of the Police Standards and Performance Improvement Unit, which will support forces in achieving the desired outcomes and ensure accountability and transparency in the use of the funds."

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