PCC hails the success of community action to drive out ASB

Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston is celebrating the success of targeted community work to resolve and prevent anti-social behaviour.  

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough PCC continues to prioritise anti-social behaviour (ASB) in line with his new Police and Crime Plan.   

The Commissioner’s continued support for community safety partnership colleagues in every area of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough enables them to respond to immediate issues and design effective solutions to help prevent ASB long-term. 

The PCC recently extended funding for Problem-Solving Coordinators in each of the county’s six Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) for a further 12 months until March 2027. In addition to supporting their efforts to strengthen communities and build resilience, the PCC recently opened his new Prevention Fund, offering CSPs another chance to bid for vital funding to boost their prevention work and target intervention towards the issues that harm communities most.  

Reflecting on the progress made, the Commissioner praised community safety officers for their tireless efforts to root out the causes of ASB with proactive multi-agency action. 

Darryl said: “From resolving issues involving disruptive tenants and vandalism through to preventing arson and supporting efforts to eradicate drug dealing, our CSPs are on the frontline of my mission to crackdown on ASB – and they are delivering outstanding results.  

“ASB is complex and can manifest in many ways. This makes it impossible for one agency alone to solve. For this reason, our CSPs are heavily invested in the partnership approach and are working with the Constabulary and a wide range of agencies and stakeholders – including residents themselves – to bring meaningful and effective resolutions.” 

Recent successes in tackling ASB include: 

 

Fenland CSP  

Fenland’s CSP team recently received a complaint from a resident who had previously reported suspicions around drug dealing and was concerned the activity was happening again. The individual was provided with advice and reassurance, while the Problem-Solving Officer shared intelligence with the local Safer Neighbourhood Team (NPT) and the police central intelligence team.  

Within 24-hours of receipt of the information, NPT officers patrolled the location and stopped and searched a suspicious vehicle, which was found to contain suspected Class A drugs and mobile phones. The car was seized as the driver had no licence or insurance and the resident was updated on the incident. 

For more information about the CSP’s work visit: Community Safety Partnership (CSP) - Fenland District Council 

 

Peterborough CSP  

Peterborough CSP has been working proactively with allotment holders, police, fire, contractors and Peterborough City Council to tackle multiple incidents of arson and criminal damage at council owned and community-run allotment gardens in the area. 

Data was shared between the agencies on recent and historic fire investigations to identify patterns in behaviour. Following multi-agency meetings with residents and allotment holders, fire safety and security recommendations were recommended by the Fire Service and implemented to ‘design out’ crime while high-visibility patrols and ongoing monitoring between partners was rolled out. Incidents have now ceased, and partners continue to review the situation to ensure advice is being followed. 

For more information about the CSP’s work visit: About the Safer Peterborough Partnership | Peterborough City Council 

 

East Cambridgeshire CSP  

In East Cambridgeshire, partners have been working collaboratively to respond to an ongoing complex case involving allegations of domestic abuse, racism, verbal abuse and threats, and overcrowded housing.  

CSP officers including the Problem-Solving Lead convened partners including housing to resolve the overcrowding issue while practical help and support was given to caregivers and parents. Police officers intervened to address reports of criminal behaviour. Victim-led support has been provided to all parties, who have benefitted from the extra help, and demand on agencies and services has ceased.  

For more information about the CSP’s work visit: Community Safety Partnership information | East Cambridgeshire District Council 

 

Cambridge CSP 

CSP officers in Cambridge City have been jointly solving several types of problems from drug dealing, drug use and noise nuisance to unregistered dog breeds and cuckooing. Cuckooing is a type of exploitation where a victim is intimidated, manipulated and threatened into having their home used by criminals as a base for illegal activities - typically as part of a common method of drug supply known as county lines. 

Action has included door knocking and letter drops to householders, intelligence sharing with police on suspected drug activity and cuckooing, the installation of re-deployable CCTV, welfare visits to vulnerable tenants, the installation of noise recording equipment and the seizure of an un-registered dog. The CSP and partners are reducing the impact of ASB on the wider community, improving tenants’ safety and ensuring crime is reported and enforced. 

For more information about the CSP’s work visit: Cambridge Community Safety Partnership: Working together to keep Cambridge safe - Cambridge City Council 

 

Huntingdonshire CSP  

Huntingdonshire District Council has been working in collaboration with Cambridgeshire Constabulary and St Neots Town Council to proactively address ASB in St Neots. This has seen joint proactive visits to the area to speak with residents, school visits, and engagement at local peer group meetings. 

The Council continues to work with the force to monitor and enforce the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in Ramsey and is working with the County Council and Constabulary to tackle areas at risk of child criminal exploitation. Partners are seeking further activities to divert young people away from crime during the summer months.   

For more information about the CSP’s work visit: Community Safety - Huntingdonshire.gov.uk 

 

South Cambridgeshire CSP 

Over the last 24 months 65 complaints have been received either to the council or via the police regarding issues of anti-social driving and noise from vehicles at Milton Park and Ride. The Community Safety Partnership has been working with partner agencies and is seeking to use the District Council’s powers to implement a Public Space Protection Order (or PSPO) as a solution.   

A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is a power given to councils under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act (2014), allowing them to restrict activity in certain areas to support public order. A PSPO would seek to prevent vehicles from gathering, speeding and racing, revving engines loudly, performing stunts, playing loud music, and using threatening or rude behaviour in the car park.  

With the County Council’s CCTV already on the site, and with police support to enforce, the District Council is currently consulting on public views.  

The consultation which runs until 1^st August can be found here:   

You can provide your views on the consultation here: Project: Public Spaces Protection Order - Milton Park an... | South Cambridgeshire District Council. 

Depending on the issue, ASB can be reported either through the Constabulary or local authority. To find out more visit Antisocial behaviour | Cambridgeshire Constabulary