News from your Police and Crime Commissioner, Darryl Preston

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Tackling Business and Retail Crime in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough: A Commitment to Safer Communities

As Police and Crime Commissioner, I recognise the significant impact business related crime has on local businesses and communities throughout the county and am firmly committed to tackling the issue of business and retail crime within Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Within my previous Police and Crime Plan I set out clear priorities to reduce crime and provide robust support to those most affected by criminal activity, something I plan to continue throughout my new term as your Commissioner.

Retail crime, including theft and anti-social behaviour, not only affect businesses but undermine community safety as a whole. I work closely with Cambridgeshire Constabulary, local businesses, and stakeholders, to develop targeted strategies that empower businesses and prevent these crimes from happening. Through this collaborative approach, businesses are better supported to prevent crime and protect their staff, customers, and assets.

Business Against Abuse: Tackling Sexual Harassment and Abuse Against Women and Girls

Business Against Abuse is a free training scheme aimed at helping businesses work together to prevent sexual harassment and abuse against women and girls. The scheme focuses on tackling predatory behaviour and creating a safer environment within the community. Open to businesses across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who feel their staff would benefit, Business Against Abuse provides tailored training, equipping staff with the knowledge and skills needed to identify and respond to such behaviours. Upon completion, businesses receive official accreditation from the police as being part of the Business Against Abuse scheme.

Cambridgeshire bus operator, Stagecoach, recently signed up to Business Against Abuse, joining almost 300 other businesses committed to tackling violence against women and girls. Bus drivers received specialist training, backed by Rape Crisis, to help them identify predatory behaviour and prevent it from escalating to an offence. Last month, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) attended an event at Milton Park and Ride, where Stagecoach unveiled their new Buses and Businesses Against Abuse double-decker, to showcase their support of the scheme.

“With at least one in twelve women becoming a victim of domestic abuse and sexual violence every year, I will continue to do everything within my power to eradicate these abhorrent crimes in all their forms” said PCC Daryl Preston.

“I am wholly committed to supporting the police and partners to take an early intervention approach to help prevent these crimes from happening in the first place. This innovative project is the largest Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) prevention initiative our county has ever seen, and I applaud Cambridge Rape Crisis and Stagecoach for fully embracing this initiative.”

Safer Business Action Week 2024

During October the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) played a key role in supporting the National Business Crime Centre's (NBCC) third annual Safer Business Action Week, a national initiative aimed at tackling business and retail crime.

The week saw police and partners from across the county come together to deliver a series of targeted actions designed to disrupt criminal activity and improve safety for local businesses. Cambridgeshire Constabulary was heavily involved, engaging with 276 businesses across the region to provide advice on crime prevention, highlighting simple yet effective measures businesses could take to reduce the risk of crime. Throughout the week, officers carried out high-visibility patrols and took proactive action against known offenders. 

For those local to Cambridge, you can support the police in tackling business crime by checking the Policing Cambridge City Facebook page for ‘Wanted Wednesday’ - a social media campaign run by Cambridgeshire Constabulary, that empowers the public to identify shoplifting offenders in the city.

Together, we are making strides toward reducing business and retail crime and supporting local communities.

Spree Offenders Team Makes Impact with Over 1,000 Charges

Since its formation in September last year, Cambridgeshire Constabulary's Spree Offenders Team has made a significant impact on tackling the area's most prolific criminals.

The team, based at Parkside Police Station in Cambridge, has secured 168 arrests and 1,032 charges for crimes including bike theft, burglary, criminal damage, theft from motor vehicles, possession of knives and drugs, going equipped for theft and hundreds of shoplifting offences. Their focused efforts have targeted repeat offenders, disrupting crime in local communities.

In addition to their arrest and charge success, the team has obtained Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) for 12 prolific offenders, including four just this month. These orders prevent offenders from entering areas where they have previously committed crimes, reducing their opportunities to re-offend. The team’s proactive approach is proving effective in improving public safety and reducing crime across Cambridge and the wider region.

Victim and Witness Hub: Supporting Victims of Business Crime The Victim and Witness Hub provides vital support to victims of crime, including those affected by business-related offences such as assault, verbal abuse, harassment, and other crime within their place of work.

In collaboration with the Neighbourhood Policing Team, the Hub recently visited businesses in Peterborough to raise awareness of the support services available to them.

Plans are in place to extend these visits across the county within the coming months, to ensure that all businesses are informed of the resources and assistance available to their staff and customers. If you or anyone you know would like to learn more about the support available to you as a victim of crime, please contact the Hub on 0800 781 6818, Monday to Friday 0800 – 1900hrs, Saturday 0900-1700hrs, or visit their website via the link below.

By working closely with local businesses, the Hub is making a real difference in the community, ensuring that no victim is left unsupported.