PCC celebrates key milestones in tackling the public’s top priorities

Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston has reflected on the key successes of his new term in office as he unveiled his annual report for 2024-25.  

The report, which was approved by Police and Crime Panel members at a meeting held on 16^th July, provides an overview of the PCC’s work from when he was re-elected in 2024 and details the progress made against his previous Police and Crime Plan priorities and the goals set out in his new four-year blueprint.  

Shortly after returning to office last May, the Commissioner consulted thousands of residents, businesses and stakeholders across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to understand the views and needs of the communities he serves.  

The priorities in his new Plan have evolved from the first and focus firmly on the issues that are most important in the eyes of the public. These are: Safe Communities, Early Intervention and Prevention, Tackling Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour, Supporting Victims and Witnesses and Building Trust and Confidence. 

The report details the significant improvements made in how the force responds to the public. This includes improvements in 999 and 101 call-handling times and police response times over the past 12 months. The average call answering time for 999 was two seconds, and five seconds for 101. 

In other progress, the PCC’s £247k investment into dedicated Problem-Solving Co-ordinators in each of the six Community Safety Partnerships is highlighted. The funding, alongside £10k from the PCC’s Safer Communities Fund, has enabled a wide range of positive work to address local issues of concern including fly-tipping and ASB.  

In meeting his pledge to boost visible policing, the Commissioner reveals 932 days of additional patrols took place in 20 hotspot locations in 2024-25. These provided 7,000 hours of visible policing leading to 160 more weapons being taken off the streets and impressive reductions in ASB and serious violence, particularly in Peterborough which saw a 50% decrease in ASB and Huntingdon which saw a 30% fall in serious violence.

He also shines the spotlight on the targeted youth work, diversionary activity and educational programmes underway to turn young people away from crime and serious violence. This includes the funding of 41 partnership interventions thanks to a £599k Serious Violence Duty government grant.  

Launching the annual report, Darryl said: “I’m proud to look back on progress made with partners over the first year of my new term.  

“My commitment to our communities has not changed since I was first elected in 2021 – to ensure the force has the resources it needs to tackle crime and keep people safe – and this report provides proof that these efforts are justly bearing fruit. 

“With the aid of record officer numbers and improved ways of working to ensure officers remain accessible and visible in our communities – just as the public has asked – we are driving down crime, serious violence and ASB, as well as preventing it in the first place.  “But undoubtedly, we could do so much more with a fairer share of central funding. Even in the face of these positive outcomes, I will not relent on my mission to secure Cambridgeshire and Peterborough the remuneration that it rightfully deserves to meet demand and achieve further success.” 

The annual report reflects on recent progress to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls, showcasing a training project which saw 2,000 people from the night-time, retail and transport economies including taxi and bus drivers trained to spot the signs of predatory behaviour. 

It also provides examples of how the PCC is delivering on his promise to ensure all victims and witnesses of crime can access appropriate support, highlighting the £2.4m invested into the provision of local services including tailored help and advocacy for young victims and their families, mental wellbeing support for victims struggling to move on from their experiences and home security upgrades for elderly victims of burglary.  

To access the full report, visit https://www.cambridgeshire-pcc.gov.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/governance/annual-report/2024-25-annual-report.pdf