The Government’s police reforms will protect and strengthen neighbourhood policing by freeing local forces, including Leicestershire Police, from national responsibilities so they can focus on issues that matter most locally, like anti-social behaviour (ASB). Every police force in England and Wales now has an ASB lead in place who will work with communities, stakeholders and the general public to implement their individual ASB Action Plans, which were published at the start of April. Further information on the Leicestershire Police ASB Action Plan can be found here: https://www.leics.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/asb/asb/antisocial-behaviour/antisocial-behaviour-action-plan/

Through the Crime and Policing Act, we are making our streets and neighbourhoods safer by strengthening the powers available to the police and other agencies to tackle ASB. Our new Respect Orders will give local agencies stronger enforcement capability to tackle the most relentless adult ASB offenders.

We are also strengthening the powers available to the police and other local agencies by increasing the upper limit for fixed penalty notices for breaches of CPNs and PSPOs from £100 to £500, increasing the time a dispersal direction can be implemented for from 48 to 72 hours and giving registered social housing providers the power to issue closure notices, amongst others.

The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides the police, local authorities, and other local agencies with a range of flexible tools and powers that they can use to respond quickly and effectively to anti-social behaviour. This includes Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) which can be issued by councils to stop people committing anti-social behaviour in a public space.

The powers in the 2014 Act are deliberately flexible in nature, and it is for local agencies to determine whether their use is appropriate in the specific circumstances of each individual case.

As set out at the final police funding settlement, overall funding for policing will total up to £19.6 billion in 2025-26, an increase of up to £1.2 billion when compared to the 2024-25 settlement.

Of this, Leicestershire Police will receive up to £272.9 million in funding in 2025-26, an increase of up to £16.9 million when compared to the 2024-25 police settlement, equating to a 6.6% cash increase.

Bike theft has a significant impact on individuals and for too long many of the victims have felt that not enough was being done to prevent their bikes being stolen or track down the thieves responsible.

As policing has operational independence, it is for local decision-makers to determine operational priorities, including how to allocate resources based on their knowledge and experience.