Community pressure pays off as 24-hour policing returns to Driffield
A round-the-clock policing team is set to return to Driffield after the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner’s budget proposals were approved by the police and crime panel.
Jonathan Evison’s proposals for the precept to increase by £14.99 per year, or 29p per week on a Band D property, as well as using an additional £6.2 million from Humberside Police’s reserves to make improvements at the force, was rubber-stamped on Wednesday 8th February.
As part of the increase, Humberside Police Chief Constable Lee Freeman promised Mr Evison that he would place a 24-hour response team in every town in the force area.
With the precept increase now confirmed, it means that round-the-clock policing will return to Driffield’s police station on Bridlington Road, with the police and crime commissioner confirming during an interview on BBC Radio Humberside last week that 11 officers will be based there.
A further boost to the Capital of the Wolds and the surrounding villages following the approval of the precept increase will see a PCSO retained in every ward, whilst the number of dedicated community police officers working with the PCSOs will be enhanced.
The Rural Task Force, which is based at Driffield police station, will now include one sergeant and eight constables and will have a second home in north Lincolnshire.
Driffield Town Council was pleased to hear the ‘long overdue’ news of a round-the-clock policing team returning to the town.
And town clerk Claire Binnington reserved special praise for the current, smaller team of officers.
“Driffield Town Council are absolutely delighted to hear that a 24-hour policing team will return to Driffield, it is long overdue and if we were to be churlish, the removal of the original team should never have happened,” said Claire.
“However, this is great news for the town and the surrounding villages who make up our Neighbourhood Policing area.
“We want to pay tribute to the very small number of officers and PCSOs, particularly PC Martin Phillips, PC Richard Metheringham and PCSOs Steve Sharp and Clare Watson, who have been holding the fort so admirably, for far too long, but now at last, have support arriving very soon.
“Thank you to them and thank you to the police commissioner who has actually listened and responded to our pleas for more police in Driffield.”
The news that Driffield will have a permanent 24-hour police team comes months after safety fears were raised following a number of serious incidents in the town centre.
One incident on Exchange Street in November 2022 saw a man seriously assaulted, before the trouble spilled over to Mill Street later the same evening and across the weekend.
Questions were raised about the number of police officers in the town and rising issues with drug misuse and antisocial behaviour in the area.
In the weeks and months after the incidents, Driffield has seen an increased police presence on the streets and in the town’s pubs, where searches from passive drugs dogs have taken place.
The Driffield and Rural councillors were delighted with the news, especially that their concerns about lack of policing in the town were listened to.
“It’s a positive move and what we have wanted to see all along,” said Cllr Matt Rogers.
“We’re over the moon and content with the decision. We just hope what has been said comes to fruition – a full team of staff based in Driffield 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
“That’s what everyone will be praying for and if it doesn’t happen, we’ll be holding them to account. It had to happen after everything that has taken place in Driffield over recent months.
“Even on Boxing Day, the busiest night of the year other than New Year’s Eve, we had no police in the town centre and that had to change.”
Cllr Felicity Temple added: “This is very welcome news and I am delighted that the commissioner listened to us and residents when we raised concerns over our vanishing policing.
“It shows what can be achieved when meaningful communication is undertaken and I fully accept that if we want services they need to be funded.
“Essential services like keeping folk safe and well are key to good communities.”
Cllr Michael Lee also highlighted the enhancements to the Rural Task Force, which will benefit some of Driffield’s surrounding villages.
“This is really excellent news for Driffield and will go a long way to restoring trust in our police force and confidence that will be on hand for residents when help is needed,” he said.
“I am very pleased that all interested parties have worked together to achieve this long-term solution.
“Our rural villages will also be pleased with the enhanced Rural Task Force. A great result all round.”
