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News from your Commissioner Darryl Preston |
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Putting Communities First |
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Commissioner publishes his third annual report on the considerable progress in reducing crime and investment in prevention
I am pleased to be able to update you on the considerable progress I’ve made with partners over the last 12 months to keep communities safe.
While my Annual Report is just a snapshot of ongoing work, there are a number of highlights such as: a problem-solving post funded by my office in every district in our county to tackle issues such as anti-social behaviour, £698k Home Office’s Safer Streets 5 funding to tackle violence against women and girls and record officer numbers – 1,732 across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
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Police Commissioner thanks public for their views on a new plan for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
A huge thank you to those of you who took the time to participate in my recent Police and Crime Plan survey. Your responses will help inform the content of the new plan for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
As Commissioner, one of my most important roles is to listen to the public therefore I am pleased to see so many people taking the time to tell me their views.
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Supporting Victims and Witnesses |
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Have you been a victim or witness of a crime?
Cambridgeshire’s Victim and Witness Hub is a free confidential service which provides emotional and practical support to victims or witnesses of crime to help them cope and recover from the impact of crime.
Staff at the Hub support all victims of crime, including those who don’t want to report their crime to the police and regardless of when the crime occurred.
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Independent Community Scrutiny Panel Praised
Cambridgeshire Constabulary received its first ‘outstanding’ grade for its use of police powers and treating people fairly in HMICFRS’ most recent PEEL assessment. Achieving this grade was supported by the work of the Community Scrutiny Panel, which is facilitated through my office.
Panel members scrutinise police interaction with the public where officers have applied Stop and Search and Use of Force powers. This helps me to hold the Constabulary to account, ensuring powers are used appropriately and ethically.
The Constabulary is the first police force to achieve the highest grading – something which is vital to improving public confidence, trust and legitimacy in policing. As a result of the outstanding grading, the College of Policing carried out an ‘exploring outstanding practice’ study on the Constabulary.
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Cambridgeshire Constabulary offer zombie knife compensation scheme
From Monday 26th August, anyone who owns ‘zombie-style’ knives or machetes are being offered compensation by the government to hand their weapons over to the police.
Weapons are being accepted at Thorpe Wood Police Station in Peterborough or Parkside Police Station in Cambridge. The campaign is running until Monday 23rd September and the Constabulary advises to check opening times of police stations before travelling.
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I want to end this newsletter with one simple statement: there is no place for hatred and violence in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
While our county did not experience the disorder seen in other areas in recent weeks, despite misinformation on social media, I wholeheartedly condemn the actions of those who caused unrest, damage, and fear in communities across the country.
I want to thank Constabulary officers and staff who provided regular briefings and reassurance to community leaders and carried out high visibility patrols in our communities during this period.
If you would like to get in touch, you can contact my office here.
Darryl Preston
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