Police pledge to do all they can to reduce violence following 'concerning' increase in offences

Office for National Statistics figures show that in the 12 months ending September 2020 there were 7,764 violent offences recorded in the city - up 20 per cent from the same period the previous year.

MORE: Violence in Peterborough increases by 20 per cent - but crime overall drops in city

Sexual offences saw a nine per cent increase, and stalking and harassment rose by 51 per cent.

However, overall the crime rate fell in Peterborough by four per cent from 21,694 offences to 20,860.

North West Cambridgeshire MP Shailesh Vara described the figures as 'concerning.'

Today a Cambridgeshire police spokesman said: "We have seen a rise in violent offences recorded in Peterborough which has been driven by an increase in 'violent without injury' and stalking and harassment offences.

"There are a number of reasons why we see changes in crime trends. These include targeted police activity, increases in reporting, changes in the way in which crimes are recorded and better compliance with National Crime Recording Standards (NCRS).

"While it is concerning to see a rise in stalking cases, we are also encouraged to see more people having the confidence to report incidents to us, particularly during the pandemic. We have been delivering training to officers to increase their knowledge of stalking and we continue our campaign work to raise awareness of how victims can discreetly contact us when they need our help. We are also working alongside partner agencies to reduce repeat victimisation by implementing safeguarding plans and addressing behaviours of perpetrators through new legislation such as Stalking Protection Orders.

"We are also committed to driving down other all other forms of serious street based violence in Peterborough. As part of this, we frequently execute warrants and hold dedicated weeks of action to disrupt criminals and take dangerous weapons off the streets of Cambridgeshire.

"We will continue to do all we can to protect our communities and target the most dangerous offenders in the county.

"We would encourage anyone who has information about serious street based violence to report it to us via our website at cambs.police.uk/report."

Acting Police and Crime Commissioner, Ray Bisby said: "“It is always important to remember that recorded crime is just one indicator of what is happening in our communities, for example changes to Home Office counting rules have resulted in additional Stalking and Harassment offences being recorded.

“Added to that campaigns carried out by the Constabulary and partners can lead to increases in reporting through raising awareness of specific crimes.

“Whilst any increase is unwelcome, I am assured that the Chief Constable is doing all he can to put in place measures to reduce these numbers.

“The government’s national uplift programme, which is seeing officer numbers rise to record levels, together with the increase in the policing part of council tax (for 2021/22) will enable the Chief to implement a number of improvements to the service the public receive including: additional cyber and online prevention officers, Digital Media Investigators and further support for the development of frontline officers.

“Whilst working in partnership remains key to enabling the police and partners to carry out preventative work to help stop these crimes from happening in the first place, I will continue to ensure the Chief Constable has the resources he needs to make sure Cambridgeshire remains a safe place to live.”

North West Cambridgeshire MP Shailesh Vara said: "I welcome the news that crime has fallen over the past year and am grateful to all those in the police force who work tirelessly to keep the public safe.

"However, the increase in violence is concerning. Violence of any kind is an evil that is completely unacceptable and has no place in our society.

"I would urge anyone who is a victim of violence or is aware of its occurrence to come forward and speak to the relevant authorities. That is particularly important in the present circumstances where some forms of violence, such as domestic abuse, may be more prevalent than at other times.”