City centre safe despite shop attack, say police

Supt Rebecca Webster said they were working hard with the resources they had

A senior police officer has insisted Derby city centre is safe despite an attack on a shop in broad daylight.

Three people in masks and black clothing targeted Ramsdens Pawnbrokers in St Peter's Street at about 13:45 BST on Monday.

A large window was damaged as a number of shoppers looked on and while no-one was injured, staff were left shaken, police said.

Speaking to BBC Radio Derby, Supt Rebecca Webster, who oversees city centre policing, said: "I do believe the city is safe. There is a lot of good work going on."

Adam Marsh, who works at Quad in the city centre, said: "We've seen an increase in rough sleepers, particularly violent rough sleepers who we have had an issue with.

"We have certainly seen more anti-social behaviour in the city centre but that has gone hand-in-hand with the Market Hall opening and bringing in lots of new people.

"Perhaps consideration needs to be made into bringing some sort of reassuring presence into the city."

Responding to criticism of policing in the city, Supt Webster, said: "I do believe it is safe.

"There is a lot of good work going on and a lot of good work that takes place that doesn't get publicised as much unfortunately.

"We carry out numerous stop searches, there are significant arrests for highlighted crimes, I believe it is getting better."

'Unprecedented demand'

However she admitted the brazenness of the attack was unusual.

"Yes I am surprised by it but throughout all my years in policing I am glad I am surprised because I wouldn't want it normalised," she said.

"My family live and work in Derby so I want it to be a safe place for them as well."

She said there were "approximately 15" police officers and PCSOs assigned to patrol the city centre but shifts meant there would be about five at any one time, depending on other pressures.

But she pointed to "unprecedented demand" with nearly 1,500 emergency calls last weekend - more than on New Year's Eve.

She said: "In relation to visible patrols, I absolutely accept and understand why the community and public feel that is what is needed.

"We are working hard to achieve that but we cannot be everywhere 24 hours a day.

"We have finite resource but we are working hard to achieve the best results we can with the resources available."

Police have renewed their appeals for information on the attack and said they were working with the city council to review CCTV.