Early intervention at the heart of drive to prevent crime

^{Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Police and Crime Commissioner, Darryl Preston has reported positive strides in preventing crime, including violence against women and girls (VAWG), through early intervention over the last twelve months.} 

^{The Commissioner was in Peterborough last week to update the county’s Police and Crime Panel members on progress against ‘Early Intervention and Prevention’ - a key priority in his Police and Crime Plan which focuses on addressing the underlying causes of criminality, ultimately reducing the number of victims of crime and saving money for the criminal justice system.}  

^{“I have always been clear that prevention is better than cure and intervening earlier is better than responding after harm has occurred,” explains the Commissioner. “By addressing the underlying root causes that contribute to offending behaviour and by providing support at the earliest opportunity, we can help prevent crime, reduce future victimisation, and build safer communities.”} 

^{“While crime prevention remains a core part of policing, it cannot be delivered by police alone. Success requires strong partnership working across all agencies within the local criminal justice system.”} 

^{As Chair of the Criminal Justice Board and the Countywide High Harms Board, and also Senior Responsible Owner for the drug strategy locally, accountable nationally, the Commissioner is well-placed to influence effective early intervention progress across the county.} 

^{“Over the last twelve months I have continued to work with partners, funding and supporting early intervention initiatives to prevent serious violence and anti-social behaviour. Through national Serious Violence Reduction Programme funding, 325 young people (aged 24 and under) have benefited from interventions to help prevent and reduce serious violence between April and June this year.} 

^{Highlights over the last six months include:} 

• ^{early intervention with children, young people and families, including the Respect Programme, which supports families experiencing child-to-parent abuse and helps prevent family breakdown, offending and future victimisation}
• ^{perpetrator interventions, including the introduction of Drive and wider work to strengthen domestic abuse and stalking perpetrator pathways, recognising that preventing future victims is a key part of prevention}
• ^{Violence Against Women and Girls prevention, including the Safer Corridors Toolkit, developed with schools and young people to help identify and challenge harmful behaviours earlier}
• ^{serious violence prevention, where partners are using national Serious Violence Reduction Programme grant funding to deliver trusted adult schemes, detached youth work and diversionary activities for young people as part of the Serious Violence Duty} 
• ^{reducing reoffending, including Cambridge Crown Court being selected as an Intensive Supervision Court pilot site to tackle the root causes of offending behaviour}
• ^{tackling serious and organised crime (SOC), including through the Constabulary’s hosting of SOC Fusion knowledge events, bringing agencies together to identify emerging threats, strengthen partnership responses and maximising the £1m Hotspot Action Fund and £80.5k Hyper Local funding in 2025/26 to boost policing in crime hotspot areas}

^{“I cannot stress enough the importance of strong partnerships, targeted investment and a shared focus on reducing harm before it occurs,” adds the Commissioner.}