Extra funding to tackle violence after rise in Peterborough
Extra funding is being made available to tackle the cause of violence – after a rise in violent offending in the city.
Data released by the Office for National Statistics in July showed there had been an eight per cent increase in violent offending in Peterborough over the past year.
Now Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Police and Crime Commissioner, Darryl Preston has secured an additional £599k of Home Office funding to support ongoing action to prevent and reduce serious violence.
The Serious Violence Reduction Programme funding supports the delivery of the Serious Violence Duty which enables prevention partners to build on the strong progress already made across the county to tackle the root causes of violent behaviour before it escalates and causes serious harm.
The Duty, which came into effect in 2023, requires key agencies to work together to proactively prevent and reduce serious violence rather than react to the consequences.
Funding is already being invested into a variety of early intervention and prevention activity – ranging from targeted sports and youth diversionary programmes through to mentoring schemes and targeted youth work in areas identified as having a higher prevalence of violence and problematic behaviour.
In 2025/26 alone, more than 4,000 young people and almost 350 adults were reached through 20 early intervention projects funded through the Duty, while 650 professionals received training.
Darryl said: “This funding is a major boost for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and will help us to sustain the excellent programmes already underway to change the narrative and stop some young people believing violence is a solution for their problems.
“We have come a long way since the Serious Violence Duty came into effect, responding as a united force to the complex causes of violence, challenging risk-taking behaviour at the onset and increasing positive pathways away from offending.
“Our innovative approach has been recognised by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) who praised the use of empty courtrooms to help people comprehend the serious consequences of carrying knives."
Speaking about the rise in violent crime, Detective Chief Inspector Fiona Bail, from Cambridgeshire Police said: “Tackling violent crime is a force priority and we use a variety of tactics, including dedicated operations, working closely with partner agencies, and taking part in national initiatives.