DERBYSHIRE police have been praised in a national report for continuing to reduce crime while working to a tighter budget.
In the Policing in Austerity report published today by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), which looked at how forces in England and Wales have made savings, Derbyshire was rated as "good".
It was one of 35 forces to be given that rating. Five forces were judged to be "outstanding" and three – one of which was Nottinghamshire – were told they "must improve". No forces were considered to be "inadequate".
The report said Derbyshire Constabulary was a low-cost force and had achieved savings in challenging financial circumstances. It said the force had plans to change the way in which it provided policing so that it could continue to keep its communities safe with reduced resources.
Zoë Billingham, HM Inspector of Constabulary for the Eastern Region, said: "HMIC's assessment is that the force has demonstrated a good response; it is delivering the savings required, planning sensibly for the future, while at the same time it is continuing to reduce crime and retain high levels of victim satisfaction."
She said the force was "well led" by Chief Constable Mick Creedon, it had a very good understanding of the issues facing it and its outlook for 2016 and beyond was "positive".
Jonathan Isaby, chief executive of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "It's fantastic news for taxpayers that Derbyshire's police force is making big savings. After years of tax hikes and spending splurges, the crisis in the public finances means that organisations in the public sector have to do more with less.
"Let's hope that other forces can cut out wasteful spending and ensure that the police are on the street, solving and preventing crimes in local communities."
The report said Derbyshire Constabulary:
Was on track to achieve its required savings of £24.2m over the spending review period between March 2011 and March 2015.
Had plans in place to deliver all of the savings needed in 2014-15 (£6.2m) and 2015-16 (£7.1m).
Was developing a new way to organise itself so it could deliver policing with fewer resources in the future. Provided a good quality of service to its communities by delivering high levels of crime reduction between 2010-11 and 2013-14, overall low crime and high levels of victim satisfaction.
HMIC's Valuing the Police programme has tracked how forces have made savings following the Government spending review in October 2010. It found that this year police forces have made good progress in implementing financial austerity and improvements had been made since last year.
