Crime Statistics
The Derbyshire Dales is one of the safest places to live, work and visit in Britain and instances of all crime types are low.The graph above shows the crime rate per 1000 population for the county of Derbyshire and the City of Derby. Derbyshire Dales has the lowest rate of all the nine district Council areas.For more information about the crime levels in the Derbyshire Dales and nationally visit UK Police stats.Other topics covered on this page are:
- Burglary
- Vehicle crime
- Personal Safety
- Mobile Phones
- Doorstep Safety
- Scams
Burglary and Theft
Burglary and theft can have a large impact on victims and the local community. Although this crime in Derbyshire is falling, our partners in community safety continue to work to reduce this even further. Derbyshire police have information on keeping your home safe, with door and window, garden and shed security. Information on Neighbourhood Watch Schemes. To report a crime taking place, tel: 999. If you want to report a crime, have concerns about your area or want to make an enquiry, tel: 101.
Vehicle Crime
A guide to vehicle security
For many of us a car is essential. It's something we rely on to get us about on a daily basis, so it makes sense to take a minute or two keep your vehicle safe and secure:
- Don't display your valuables! Leaving valuable items on display makes your car more appealing to an opportunist thief. Remove laptops, mobile phones, handbags or wallets, jackets and coats from view whenever you park your car.
- Where possible, take your valuables with you or if you can't carry them, place these in the boot - not in the glove box.
Secure your Sat Nav
Here are some top tips to help keep your sat nav safe:
- Make sure you remove your sat nav every time you leave your car and take it with you. Don't leave it in the glove box.
- Remove the cradle from windscreen. If you leave the holder on view then a thief may think they will find the sat nav inside.
- Wipe away any marks left behind by the holder, this also gives the impression a sat nav could be left in the vehicle
Lock it or lose it
- Always lock your doors and close your windows whenever you leave your car, even if it's only for a moment
- In winter, never leave your car with the keys in the ignition and the engine running while it defrosts. It would only take a second for someone to drive off in it
- Never leave your vehicle unlocked or with the keys in the ignition while you pay at the petrol station - remember 'lock it or lose it'
- At home, store your keys in a safe place which is out of sight and away from windows or doors
Parking - out and about
- Avoid parking in areas with poor lighting or hidden from public view
- If you have a steering wheel lock, make sure it is in place before you leave the car
At home
- Always lock your car and close all the windows
- Make sure your driveway is well lit, easily accessible and consider using gravel as it is noisier to drive across
- If you have a garage, make sure you use it. Lock both the car and the garage and if possible install a security light to illuminate the garage entrance
- If you have a steering wheel lock make sure you use it, even when parked on your own driveway or garage
Other tips
- Steering locks, that cover the whole steering wheel can be useful, especially when combined with other measures
- Engine immobilisers stop your car from starting. Most newer cars have an immobiliser or they can be installed by an approved supplier
- Car alarms can deter thieves from not only stealing your car but also taking things from it; but they need to be installed by a professional
- Using specialist screws to attach your number plate can help prevent them from being stolen and cloned
Please contact your local Safer Neighbourhood policing team on 101 for more information.
To report crime in Derbyshire you should call Derbyshire police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to report anonymously.
Remember - in an emergency, when a life is in danger or a crime is being committed, the number to call is always 999.
Car crime - Let's Drive it Down!
Personal Safety
Please see below for some commonly reported issues around personal safety.
More information on personal safety
Mobile Phones
Don’t leave your phone, iPad, tablet or camera unattended, out of your sight or left on a table – thieves can grab a phone from a table in seconds.
Always be aware of your mobile and your whereabouts. And when you’ve finished using it, put it away.
Ensure you keep a record of your phone's IMEI number. This is a 15-digit unique number which can be found by keying in *#06#. If your phone is lost or stolen, you will need this information. And don’t keep a note of it on your phone as it defeats the object.
Use your device’s security features, apps or PIN locking mechanisms to protect your data and prevent the phone being used if stolen.Track it.
Consider installing a tracker app on your smartphone. They’re available online. Act quickly if your mobile’s ever stolen.
Doorstep safety
Bogus callers or doorstep thieves, are people who trick their way into peoples' homes with the intention of stealing money or property.
These people often work in teams of two or more and they usually prey on people who are older or vulnerable.Bogus callers can be anyone and use many different ways to gain entry to your home.
They pretend to be council officials, workmen from the gas or water board, or even the police.Most official companies will send you a letter first and you can ask your gas, water or electricity supplier to give you a unique password for extra security.
Scams
Scams are frauds and tricks designed to cheat people out of their money. Scammers approach people in a variety of ways including by phone, post or online.
Anyone can fall for a scam, but the average age of a scam victim is 74. Lonely older people are more likely to be scammed than those who have family members or friends to support them.
Cheating people out of their money is financial abuse and we have a duty to protect vulnerable people from abuse under the Care Act 2014.
