Acting Chief Constable Rob Nixon discusses the force’s efforts to crackdown on knife crime, as well as its successful report from the national inspecting body for policing.
It is my pleasure to be contributing to the magazine on a regular basis, taking up the baton from our former Chief Constable Simon Cole. I have been appointed as Temporary Chief Constable for Leicestershire Police and know our city, county and communities very well having served here for over 29 years.
My focus is on how we can strengthen your trust in Leicestershire Police. I want our teams to be visible and accessible, to live the standards and conduct you expect, to listen to and understand the diverse communities of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, and deliver a high quality service.
The force is in a good position and doing well but I know we can always improve, particularly with your input and support.
Recently we had a week of activity targeting knife crime. It is a priority you identified. It resulted in 25 arrests and the recovery of 329 knives. We continue to take action to tackle gangs and drugs which damage local neighbourhoods. The best successes are often thanks to community support and the help of partners. Our “We Don’t Carry” campaign and livesafe.org websites are available to all to help push knife crime out of our communities alongside police operations.
In recent months, I should also note that Leicestershire Police received a glowing report from the national inspecting body for policing. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) found the force to be outstanding in several areas. The report gave an outstanding rating to areas of prevention, protecting vulnerable people and recording crime.
This is good news for our local communities because it shows, through a national lens, that your local police are doing a good job. But we are determined to improve, steered by what our communities think, to deliver an even better service and strengthen your trust in us. It is a big ask and a continuous one, but we have already started.
I love the city of Leicester and our two counties because people pull together to make where we live even better. As your Chief, I want Leicestershire Police to help do that. We can protect our communities together, working with you to make you safer and feel safer, listening to your concerns, and delivering a good service you can see and, most importantly, trust.
