- Government meets target to put over 3,000 additional neighbourhood police into roles two months early
- 124 new roles across the East Midlands, supporting communities including Erewash
- Increase sees surge in patrols on high streets with over 18,000 arrests made in 600 towns and cities
Neighbourhood policing in Erewash is set to benefit from a rise in officer numbers across the East Midlands, as the Government confirms it has delivered more than 3,000 additional neighbourhood police roles ahead of schedule.
A total of 124 officers have been added across the region, helping to strengthen police presence in towns such as Ilkeston and Long Eaton, where residents and businesses have raised concerns about shop theft and anti-social behaviour in recent years.
The figures show 3,123 additional police officers and Police Community Support Officers have been moved into neighbourhood roles since April last year, focusing on tackling local crime and anti-social behaviour.
While serious violent crime remains at its lowest level for more than a decade, issues such as shop theft, mobile phone theft and drug offences continue to affect communities.
The Government had pledged to deliver 3,000 additional neighbourhood policing personnel by the end of March 2026, reaching the target in February.
Increased patrols are already delivering results. The Home Office’s Winter of Action campaign across December and January saw almost 18,000 arrests in more than 600 towns and cities.
Of these, over 5,000 were for retail crime, more than 1,000 for sexual offences, almost 1,000 for street crime, and over 10,000 for violent assault.
Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones said:
“Neighbourhood policing was hollowed out under the previous government. Communities were left to face an epidemic of everyday crime that all too often seemed to go unpunished.
“We’re putting officers back on the beat where they belong and delivering the biggest reforms to policing in over 200 years.”
Adam Thompson, MP for Erewash, said:
“This increase in neighbourhood policing is welcome news for communities across Erewash. People in Ilkeston, Long Eaton and our villages want to see more officers on the streets tackling the crimes that affect daily life.
“I regularly hear from residents and local businesses about concerns around shop theft and anti-social behaviour, so having more visible officers will make a real difference.”
Police forces across the country have reported positive results from increased neighbourhood policing, including reductions in burglary and anti-social behaviour and higher arrest rates.
The early delivery of additional officers marks progress towards the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, which will see 13,000 additional neighbourhood personnel by the end of this Parliament.
The Guarantee aims to put officers back on the beat and focus on the issues that matter most to local communities. Arrests rose by 5% last year as neighbourhood policing activity increased.
All police forces have also published Anti-social Behaviour Action Plans, setting out how they will continue tackling local concerns.
The Government is also launching a strategy to halve knife crime within a decade, focused on prevention, early intervention and enforcement.
