Crime commissioner says ‘significant activity’ taking place to tackle knife crime in Peterborough

Passengers travelling from Doncaster to London were attacked in a mass stabbing on a train on Saturday, November 4, which resulted in many people needing hospital treatment.

Anthony Williams, 32, from Peterborough was subsequently charged with 11 counts of attempted murder, one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of possession of a bladed article.

Police have since confirmed that they have linked Williams with further knife related offences in Peterborough.

Peterborough City Council leader Shabina Qayyum sent a letter Mr Preston on November 4 asking if he would join councillors and council officers in discussing how to prevent knife crime in the city going forward.

“The residents of Peterborough, councillors and I, as the leader of the council, are incredibly worried about the increase in knife crime and safety in our city, both before and in the aftermath of this event, and the preventative measures that must be undertaken to address these issues in the run-up to Christmas and moving forward,” she said.

Mr Preston issued a response to Cllr Qayyum’s letter on November 7 and said that work was being done to reduce this type of violence in the region.

He wrote: “To be clear, the ongoing criminal investigation led by British Transport Police, along with ongoing support for the victims of these abhorrent crimes must be the priority, ensuring justice is served.

“I do however recognise that communities across Peterborough are worried about knife crime and their safety.

“I have dedicated my life to protecting the public, in my role as a police officer and since May 2021 as Police and Crime Commissioner.

“My priority has always been and will continue to be tackling crime and keeping communities safe.

“In terms of tackling knife crime in Peterborough, this is an important issue and there is significant activity taking place both within policing and across the partnership.

“Preventing and reducing serious violence (including knife crime) is a key element of my Police and Crime Plan.”

Mr Preston highlighted a number of things that have been implemented to help prevent and reduce this type of crime. This included:

Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee (NPG): Additional government funding will enable the constabulary to increase police officers in neighbourhood policing by 30 Police Constables, 7 PCSOs and 13 Special Constables.

Two new teams were launched in Peterborough by the constabulary over the summer. The teams in the city centre and eastern sector of Peterborough include two extra Sergeants and eight additional Police Constables.

Residents in every neighbourhood across the county also now have a named police officer dedicated to their area who is the first point of contact for local policing matters and will respond to public enquiries within 72 hours.

Hotspot Policing: National Hotspot Action Fund grant funding continues to enable additional visible police patrols in areas across Peterborough and Cambridgeshire where there is a high prevalence of violence and anti-social behaviour.

Three areas of Peterborough are benefiting these additional patrols. This funding has also enabled qualified Young Person’s Workers from Peterborough City Council’s diversion team to patrol alongside police officers.

Hyperlocal Activity: The constabulary is currently working closely with the Safer Peterborough Partnership to access additional national funding to support interventions in an area of Peterborough identified as having a high concentration of knife crime.

Operation Guardian: Operation Guardian is designed to reduce the risk posed by individuals who are habitual knife carriers through safeguarding vulnerable people, strengthening local partnerships and targeting resources where harm can be reduced the most.

Operation Sceptre: This national campaign supports the year-round work of officers to reduce knife crime. The next week of action is due to take place from November 17 to 24.

In an earlier campaign in May this year nearly 100 weapons or knives were handed in across the county, additional foot patrols took place in Peterborough, alongside knife sweeps, school engagement and test purchasing.

Alliance: The Alliance project, led by Cambridgeshire Constabulary in partnership with Peterborough City Council, was formed in 2023.

It tackles serious organised crime through the Home Office’s Clear, Hold and Build strategy by focusing on disrupting criminal groups, maintaining safe spaces, and building resilient communities in the Lincoln Road area.

Mr Preston wrote: “The Serious Violence Duty came into effect in January 2023 and requires organisations to work together, share information, and deliver interventions that prevent and reduce serious violence.

“I perform a central convening role, administer national grant funding in an evidence-informed way, and monitor project delivery.

“Since January 2023, Peterborough and Cambridgeshire have received over £1.5 million of national grant funding to deliver against the Duty; almost £1.14 million of which has been specifically allocated for the delivery of interventions that focus on early intervention and violence prevention.”

Mr Preston noted that uncertainty on future funding has impacts on service delivery and staff retention, including the sustainability of Peterborough City Council’s diversion team.

“I therefore invite you to join me and implore the government to continue the Serious Violence Duty funding to allow us to continue to fund interventions that prevent and reduce serious violence in our communities, to help keep the people of Peterborough and Cambridgeshire safe,” he added.