Bolstered by the Government’s successful ‘Police Uplift Programme’, Cambridgeshire Constabulary now has 1,732 officers in post which is a record high.
Across Cambridgeshire, we are seeing crime falling. According to the Police and Crime Commissioner Annual Report 2022-2023:
- neighbourhood crime is down 24 per cent
- bike theft is down 56 per cent
- residential burglary is down 37 per cent
Bike theft is a crime I have been contacted about particularly frequently - notably by users of Cambridge North Station, where it seems to be a recurring issue. I have been working with British Transport Police and Greater Anglia to find funding for additional secure fencing with key/fob access and eye-level CCTV, which has now been secured.
We have also seen a 48 per cent reduction in hare coursing and poaching incidents when comparing 2021-22 to the last financial year.
This follows a successful campaign by local MPs and others for tougher hare coursing laws and for greater resources in the police’s Rural Crime Team. Hare coursing can now incur an unlimited fine and up to six months in prison, while our constabulary now has nine designated officers tackling rural crime.
In addition, I have worked to limit speeding on our roads. Locally, I have helped initiate speed enforcement checks in Ashley, Burrough Green, Fordham, and Lode; I have supported Burwell and Haddenham plan to reduce the speed limit to 20mph in some parts of the village; and I have endorsed Chippenham and Willingham’s bids for speed calming measures.
If you have any concerns about local patterns of crime, please do not hesitate to contact me.