My response to Covid-19

Working together to help keep people safe  

As your Acting Police and Crime Commissioner, I  continue to support the Chief Constable to ensure that he has all the resources he needs to effectively deal with the impact of the Coronavirus health crisis over the coming weeks.

Equally, I fully understand that as Acting Commissioner I also need to hold the Chief Constable to account for the Constabulary’s response during this crisis.  This will include how the Constabulary are using the new policing powers: powers designed to help the police support the NHS, save lives and prevent the spread of the infection.

Making sure our county has the strongest possible response to the coronavirus pandemic remains the number one priority for all of us working in the public sector.

Both I and my team are working hard with partners across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to support the countywide effort to keep people safe during the current Coronavirus health emergency.

For the latest advice on lockdown restrictions, visit the GOV.UK website.

Support for residents 

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough residents and businesses can follow the latest advice and information on the pandemic, as well as which council services are affected and how you can get involved with helping your community by following Cambridgeshire County Council’s Coronavirus information pages.

A network of community hubs have been set up to support residents that have been identified as clinically extremely vulnerable or to support residents needing to self-isolate because they’re either tested positive or have been a contact.  This support can include access to food, medicines, other essential supplies or financial support.

• If you live in Cambridge City
• If you live in East Cambridgeshire
• If you live in Fenland
• If you live in Huntingdonshire
• If you live in South Cambridgeshire
• If you are not sure

To contact the countywide hub, people are being asked, where possible, to do so online at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/coordinationhub.

The countywide hub can also be contacted Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, and Saturdays 9am to 1pm  on 0345 045 5219

For the latest national advice about how to keep you and your family safe, visit: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus.

For the latest health advice, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england.

Follow Cambridgeshire Constabulary for advice on what the police are doing: www.cambs.police.uk.

Support for victims

Support services for anyone affected by crime will remain open during this second lockdown period.

Staff in Cambridgeshire’s Victim and Witness Hub can be contacted via a freephone number 0800 781 6818 or by email: victimandwitnesshub@cambs.pnn.police.uk.

This team can also provide advice and guidance to victims and witnesses whose court cases are going ahead during the lockdown period – a web page is also being kept up to date on the Cambridgeshire Victim Services website: https://www.cambsvictimservices.co.uk/response-to-covid-19.

Online advice and details of other local and national support services is available on the Victim Services website https://www.cambsvictimsservices.co.uk/

For anyone experiencing domestic abuse help you can get help and refuge. Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) and Domestic Abuse Outreach Services are open.

For details call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 or visit the website: www.cambsdasv.org.uk

Cambridge Women’s Aid – Cambridge City/East Cambs/South Cambs –01223 361214, Fenland/Hunts/Peterborough – Refuge 07787 255821

If you have experienced sexual violence you can get 24/7 medical support and help from The Elms, Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) – https://www.theelmssarc.org/ or call 01480 425003.

The Countywide Support Service for Victims and Survivors of Sexual Violence – which is made up of Cambridge Rape Crisis and Peterborough Rape Crisis Care Group is providing virtual practical and emotional support through their email and helpline service and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) you can find out more from their website: https://caprcp.org.uk/

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough against Scams Partnership (CAPASP) are warning people to be vigilant against scammers who are taking advantage of Covid-19. As Covid-19 spreads rapidly across the world, various reports have emerged about fraudsters seizing the opportunity to defraud.

Follow the latest advice about how to keep yourself and your family members safe during the current emergency by following the Commissioner’s Twitter account @PCCCambs or by visiting the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough against Scams Partnership website at https://cambridgeshireinsight.org.uk/capasp/.

The Coronavirus Act 2020 provides that Ray Bisby will remain in the post of Acting Police and Crime Commissioner until the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections now scheduled for May 2021.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/7/contents.

If you wish to contact the Acting Police and Crime Commissioner, please email: cambs-pcc@cambs.pnn.police.uk.