Whitehall support as city centre safety fear sparks appeal for help

GOVERNMENT SAYS IT IS DETERMINED TO TURN AROUND CUTS TO POLICING

- By NIGEL SLATER Local democracy reporter

THE Government has committed to providing the resources needed to make Derby city centre safer following an urgent call for help.

The Home Office has responded after Derby City Council leader Nadine Peatfield requested the Home Secretary provide more police officers for the city to protect residents and visitors.

It follows a number of serious and high-profile incidents in the city centre and across Derby in recent months including a man being stabbed to death inside a bank and a daylight robbery at a pawnbroker’s shop.

There was another fatal stabbing in Littleover and it was reported recently there had been five stabbings in 12 days across Derby.