Derbyshire hotspot patrol scheme made permanent after major anti-social behaviour crackdown
Operation Shango, which delivered more than 20,000 targeted patrols, will now form part of everyday policing
A hotspot policing programme that has driven more than 20,000 focused patrols across Derbyshire is being made a permanent feature of everyday frontline policing, following what officers describe as measurable reductions in anti-social behaviour and improved community engagement.
The initiative, known as Operation Shango, was introduced in July 2023 by Derbyshire Constabulary. It was designed to concentrate officer presence in locations experiencing higher levels of anti-social behaviour and other localised crime issues, using national funding to support additional visible patrols.
Over the course of the programme, officers spent thousands of hours patrolling designated hotspot areas, focusing on deterrence, reassurance, and intelligence gathering within communities most affected.
Technology-led shift to routine hotspot policing
From now on, hotspot patrols will no longer rely on separate project funding. Instead, local officers will incorporate them into their daily duties as standard practice.
This will be supported by the mobile application Visibeat, which helps identify priority locations and allows officers to record patrol activity in real time.
The system is intended to improve efficiency by directing officers to areas where their presence is most needed, while also creating a clearer record of activity, outcomes, and community contact.
“An efficient and effective way” of reducing anti-social behaviour
Inspector Jack Williamson said the targeted approach has already shown strong results in reducing anti-social behaviour:
“We know that targeting these patrols is both an efficient and effective way of reducing incidents of antisocial behaviour. In the past 12 months, all ASB hotspots that have seen Shango patrols have seen a decrease in ASB of 14%.
“The natural next stage is to equip local officers with the key information to apply the hotspot policing theory to their local patch, and Visibeat offers an easy way to log this activity.
“We will continue to monitor the impact of these patrols and hotspots across the county. If you’re experiencing issues in your area please report it to us or the appropriate agency as outlined in our ASB Hub.”
The results of the Operation Shango patrols from March 2026 were:
- 821 hotspot patrols carried out
- 2,522 officer hours spent on patrol
- 12,946 community engagements, including conversations with residents and surveys
- 52 arrests
- 91 stop searches
- 185 crimes or incidents recorded
- 132 intelligence reports submitted
What happens next?
With Operation Shango now embedded into routine policing, officers across Derbyshire will continue hotspot patrols as part of their everyday workload, supported by digital tracking tools and ongoing performance monitoring.
The aim, according to police leaders, is to sustain the reductions in anti-social behaviour while maintaining consistent visibility in areas that need it most.