Booklet to increase safety in rural Derbyshire areas launches

A booklet which gives advice on advice on a range of issues such as theft, fire and personal safety has been launched in a bid to target countryside crime and emergencies in Derbyshire.

The Derbyshire Rural Safety and Crime Prevention Guide has come about through a collaboration between Derbyshire Constabulary, Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner Hardyal Dhindsa, Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service and East Midlands Ambulance Service.

The booklet covers issues which have been highlighted as a priority for the rural communities of Derbyshire and gives advice on how to prevent them, to help people stay safe and to reduce crime and accidents.

From a crime prevention perspective, topics include farm machinery, plant and vehicle theft, livestock worrying and theft, fuel theft, equine crime, fly-tipping and poaching.

There is also a wealth of important safety information, including the safe storage of flammable materials, fire and electrical safety, winter driving advice and help in medical emergencies.

The launch comes as part of Operation Derbyshire, which aims to highlight the positive work being undertaken across the county and share it with communities.

The key areas which the operation, that will run from Monday, 11 January to Monday, 31 May, will focus on are speeding, anti-social behaviour and rural, wildlife and heritage crime. Running alongside this, Derbyshire Police says it will also focus on visibility in areas and supporting victims.

'People living in rural communities face different challenges'

Sergeant James Shirley, of the Derbyshire Rural Crime Team, said: “We have pulled together bespoke advice for rural communities around safety from all of the emergency services in Derbyshire in one easily accessible booklet. We have it available online through our website, and in print which we hope to distribute widely across Derbyshire’s rural areas during 2021.”

Crew Manager Josh Charlesworth said: “We’re delighted to have been able to work together with our colleagues at Derbyshire police and EMAS to produce a joint rural safety guide. 

"The guide which is available online, and in hard copy that will be distributed across Derbyshire, aims to provide rural communities with easily accessible advice and information to protect them from emergency incidents, accidents and crime, in addition to letting them know what to do in the event of an emergency.

"Derbyshire has many hard to reach communities, spread across widespread rural areas and it is recognised that not everyone has access to online information, so by working with our partners we know we are giving the best advice possible to make our communities safer together." 

Tim Slater, East Midlands Ambulance Service General Manager for Derbyshire, said: “Your actions could be crucial in saving someone’s life and we hope the information provided in our section helps you feel more prepared should you ever need to make a 999 phone call about a medical emergency.”

As well as including the three main emergency services, the booklet also has the support of Derbyshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner and the Peak District National Park Authority.

PCC Hardyal Dhindsa said: “People living in rural communities face different challenges but our emergency services are committed to supporting everyone and doing everything they can to keep them safe. It was clear when I visited every village in the county that people wanted easy access to information and this booklet provides a wealth of tips, useful numbers and advice.

“I’m proud that in recent years we have boosted the rural policing presence to make more remote communities safer, we are proactively tackling road safety issues and I very much hope that this booklet will add to their feelings of safety.”

Andrew McCloy, chair of the Peak District National Park, added: “The crucial role of our emergency services has been brought into sharp focus across the last year, and resources like this new guide help all of us to ensure that those working hard to protect our health, wellbeing and livelihoods can do so as effectively as possible.

“The expansion of the Derbyshire Rural Crime Team has been a huge boost for our National Park, in particular, our joint efforts to combat wildlife persecution and we’ll continue to work closely with these and other teams to ensure the Peak District remains a safe and welcoming place to do business, visit and call home.”

How to access the booklet 

People can download a copy of the Derbyshire Rural Safety and Crime Prevention Guide from the Derbyshire Constabulary or Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service websites. 

Emergency service crews will also have a small number of the booklets to deliver in person as they continue their work during the current pandemic. It is also likely to be available from rural community hubs and businesses later in the year.

People can follow the progress of Operation Derbyshire using the hashtag #OpDerbyshire on social media.