OPERATION SCEPTRE

Derbyshire Police will be joining other forces across the country taking part in the national ‘Operation Sceptre’, a week-long range of activities against knife crime. Whilst the latest COVID regulations have meant that we have decided to postpone our planned knife amnesty, officers will still be taking other actions. Inspector Rich Keene, operational lead for knife crime explains: “Operation Sceptre is a vital tool in our fight against knife crime and the causes of it and links closely with our on-going Project Zao. The action we take this week compliments our year-round campaign of education and enforcement on weapon enabled criminality. Derbyshire has been at the forefront in the battle against violence and its causes, with knife crime being one of our key priorities. We will be targeting those that carry knives and hope it starts up a positive dialogue between young people, their families, carers and educators. The message is clear - If you carry a knife we will focus on you relentlessly and when you are caught you will be subject of prosecution with positive action taken in every case. The safety of residents and strong communities are our priority and we will continue to work tirelessly with yourselves and partners to ensure that this is the case. We cannot afford any more lives being tragically and senselessly lost through knife crime and its potential effects on us all.”

If you are worried about someone you think is carrying a knife contact us using any of the following non-emergency contact methods:

Facebook – send us a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary

Twitter – direct message our contact centre on @DerPolContact

Website – complete the online contact form www.derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us.

Phone – call us on 101.

You can also anonymously contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org

CARE HOME WORKER JAILED

A care home assistant who worked at the Alexandra Nursing Home, on Wilsthorpe Road, Long Eaton, has appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court. Noor Subhani, 29, of Burton Road, Branston admitted ill-treating or wilfully neglecting four residents in his care between August 1st and September 18th, 2019. The four residents were suffering from either Alzheimer's or dementia, two have died since. The court heard that Subhani took videos and photos of pensioners in distress with food smeared on their faces and trousers round their ankles. District Judge Andrew Meachin jailed Subhani for 26 weeks, he must also pay a £122 victim surcharge. A spokesman for the care home said, "The health, safety and wellbeing of our residents are our top priorities.”

DOG ATTACK

Police are calling for witnesses following a dog attack at a Derbyshire park. Officers say they are trying to trace the owner of a German Shepherd, possibly crossbreed, in connection with an attack on a smaller dog. The incident happened on West Park at Long Eaton around 8am on Saturday, October 31st. The nature of the dog's condition or injuries have not been disclosed. The German Shepherd's owner is described as a white male around 60-years-old, wearing glasses and a flat cap. No further information has been issued at this stage. Anyone with information should call Derbyshire police on 101 quoting reference number 247-021120.

 MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO KILLING CELL MATE

A man has pleaded guilty to killing a man he shared a prison cell with. Ferencz-Rudolf Pusok, 30, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to the murder of Brett Lowe at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday 26th October. Brett Lowe, from Stapleford, was 43 when he died on Wednesday 18th July 2018 after Pusok assaulted him at HMP Nottingham in Perry Road in Sherwood, Nottingham. Detective Inspector Rachael North, who led the investigation, said: “My thoughts are with Brett’s family today, who have had to come to terms with the cruel and sudden loss of a loved one.”

Pusok, who was serving ten weeks in prison for criminal damage, using threatening or abusive words or behaviour, leaving a train while it was in motion and resisting a police officer, will be sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court at a later date.

 SUPERMARKET STAFF THREATENED WITH KNIFE

Officers from Nottinghamshire Police were called just after 4.15pm on Sunday 25th October) to the Sainsbury’s Local in Derby Road, Stapleford.

Sergeant James Hirst, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Shop workers have often been at the frontline during the pandemic, ensuring that everyone was still able to get the essentials they rely on. It’s awful to this that despite this, they could be threatened with violence when they are just doing their jobs.”

Staff stopped the woman trying to leave after they suspected that she had stolen goods from the store. It was reported that the woman pulled out a knife and threatened the staff before making off. It was reported that the woman then came back to the shop and assaulted a member of the public. A 27-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of robbery.