Rutland left out of new enhanced police patrol scheme
Police Commissioner Rupert Matthews says extra patrols are being focused on areas of Leicestershire instead
A police commissioner has announced “enhanced” police patrols for one county under his jurisdiction, but not both.
Earlier this month, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews (Reform) revealed plans to deploy more patrols across several towns and villages in Leicestershire, including Market Harborough, Hinckley, Melton Mowbray and Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Yet, in spite of reports of increasing anti-social behaviour in Uppingham, the entire county of Rutland was omitted from his scheme.
According to Mr Matthews, his “data-led” decision to deploy additional personnel across Leicestershire was taken to ensure patrols are “in the right places at the right time”.
Mr Matthews told the LDRS he was “keen” to include market towns in Rutland in the scheme, but decided to focus resources on Leicestershire’s “local need”, on the recommendation of Chief Constable David Sandall.
He continued: “The chief constable is responsible for determining where patrols are deployed across the force area. His plan was informed by force data which has indicated the towns identified experience a higher level of demand than in Rutland.
“If these patrols have the positive preventative impact I believe they will, I will explore opportunities to extend the project and increase its reach.”
The initiative is due to cost less than had been ringfenced, according to the police commissioner, prompting him to commit excess savings to crime prevention initiatives across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. However, exactly which initiatives will receive funding has yet to be decided.
“We have not yet established the final costs of the project and, therefore, the level of any underspend. As a result, no decisions have been made about how any savings may be allocated,” Mr Matthews said.
“Organisations from across the force area are encouraged to apply for funding, setting out how their proposals will help prevent offending and make communities safer.”