Tackling Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour: Putting Public Priorities First
The public’s policing needs are very simple. They expect criminals to be punished and held accountable for their crimes, they have a strong desire for the police to be active and seen in their communities and for officers to be focused on the local, street-level issues that impact their day-to-day life and mental wellbeing.
As Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, it is my priority to listen and act on the concerns of residents. Restoring public trust in policing underpins everything I do.
The Tackling Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour pillar in my Police and Crime Plan encompasses the priority areas that people have told me are paramount for meeting their expectations and helping them to feel confident, reassured and safer.
Working collaboratively with our partners, we are already making a difference. This newsletter shines a spotlight on some of those key achievements over the past 12 months. Our mission now is to keep the momentum going.
Dealing with Local Issues
Community safety is a joint responsibility. The Police are unable to single-handedly fix society’s problems. Long-term success depends on collaboration, coordination and shared vision.
The PCC works closely with the area’s six Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) and other agencies to tackle local problems that impact quality of life such as fly-tipping, bike theft and vandalism. CSPs are often supported by ‘Problem Solving Groups’ which bring tactical partners together to deal with issues in a joined-up way
Across the life of his Police and Crime Plans, the Commissioner has invested in almost £1m into dedicated Problem-Solving Coordinator posts in each of the six CSP areas to support partners to tackle the root causes of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour (ASB).
This grounds-level intervention has increased intelligence and action against drug dealers and cuckooing, heightened enforcement activity to tackle arson and criminal damage, delivered long-term solutions to ASB linked to overcrowded housing, and supported the implementation of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) to proactively tackle and prevent ASB.
To contact your local CSP visit: Fenland CSP
Improving Road Safety
Road safety has remained a key focus with the PCC committing significant investment in education and prevention to promote a safer driving culture and to save lives.
In September 2025, the PCC became Chair of the Vision Zero Partnership Board – a multi-agency partnership committed to preventing road deaths across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and significantly reducing the severity of injuries and subsequent costs and social impacts of road traffic collisions.
As the new Chair, the PCC immediately launched a Road Safety Fund worth £20k to support statutory organisations within the Vison Zero Partnership to address local road safety priorities. Initial grants have enabled BikeSafe to promote their workshops more widely to young people and have supported the ‘I am Des’ campaign in licensed premises over the festive period to reduce drink driving.
The PCC also funds the Casualty Reduction Officer (CRO) and Community Speed Watch Coordinator posts within the force on top of dedicated vehicles for the Special Constabulary to support road safety campaigns. Activities over the past year have included drink driving, e-scooter and motorcycle/moped safety campaigns, free bike maintenance and security marking events, Older Driver Workshops and the delivery of road safety messaging in schools.
