The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Panel met on Tuesday 29 September 2026 to discuss the Police and Crime Commissioner's update report and business crime. The panel noted the Commissioner's activities and discussed various initiatives aimed at reducing crime and supporting businesses.

Police and Crime Commissioner's Update Report

Rupert Matthews, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), presented an update on the activities undertaken by his office during the first quarter of 2026/27. The report detailed engagements with local communities, efforts to hold the Chief Constable to account, and the commissioning of services to prevent crime and support victims.

A key theme emerging from community engagements was the desire for a more visible police presence. In response, the PCC is working with the Chief Constable to increase visible patrols, with additional foot patrols planned for market towns from late autumn. Concerns were also raised about anti-social behaviour and lower-level crime, leading to support for the Leicestershire Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan and funding for initiatives to prevent the sale of stolen goods.

The report highlighted ongoing concerns about young people becoming involved in crime, with the Violence Reduction Network continuing to focus on this area through skills development and positive opportunities. Efforts are also being made to improve victim confidence in reporting violence against women and girls, including the funding of an additional VAWG officer and the delivery of educational programmes. Road safety was another prominent issue, with Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Oliver Bryan leading a programme of work in this area, including engagement with the Road Safety Partnership and local authorities.

The panel also reviewed commissioned services, including the Out of Court Resolution Service, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) provision. The report noted the appointment of Mountain Healthcare as the new SARC provider and the commitment of £200,000 to extend the Drug Test on Arrest (DToA) programme. Crime prevention initiatives, such as the Community Action Programme and the development of People Zones, were also discussed. The Violence Reduction Network reported a reduction in serious violence and public place violence.

In terms of holding the Chief Constable to account, the Force Performance Board reviewed crime trends, noting positive reductions in theft and violent crime. However, further scrutiny was identified for contact and response performance, abstraction rates, crime recording processes, and digital contact channels. The Corporate Governance Board also reviewed operational and organisational issues, including response performance and the implementation of the Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan.

Business Crime

The panel received a report outlining the PCC's delivery against his Business Crime Priority in the Police and Crime Plan 2024-2029. The report highlighted the PCC's pledge to equip businesses with information to protect themselves from crime and to work with the Chief Constable to ensure crime reporting is easy for victims.

Initiatives under the Community Action Programme include the creation of crime prevention toolkits and advice for businesses, as well as the Community Action Fund (CAF), which provides grants of up to £10,000 for projects addressing business crime. A dedicated funding pot of £100,000 was also used to purchase Body Worn Video cameras for local businesses and to distribute grants for bespoke interventions.

Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland receive annual funding, with 'shoplifting' identified as a key priority across all CSP areas. Several projects funded through CSPs are expected to contribute to improved outcomes for business crime, including CCTV upgrades, footfall monitoring systems, and diversionary activities for young people.

Leicestershire Police have created a 4P's retail crime delivery plan (Prevent, Protect, Prepare, Pursue). Performance in this area is reported to be moving in a positive direction, with improvements in overall outcomes and an increased positive outcome rate. The Force is also revising its approach to tackling prolific repeat offenders, including greater use of Criminal Behaviour Orders.

The report included statistics on shoplifting offences, showing a 2.8% decrease locally in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland from its peak in 2024-25. Nationally, shoplifting offences also saw a reduction. The panel was informed that tackling business crime requires a whole-system response involving various criminal justice partners.

The Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (Community Cohesion) update report was deferred to the October meeting. The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 27 October 2026.