Police clampdown on shoplifters and anti-social behaviour in the retail heart of Peterborough secures rise in detections

Data released by the police shows a 20 per cent rise in the number of detections of shoplifters and those causing anti-social behaviour in the last three months of 2025.

Over the same time, police completed 97 investigations into offences of shoplifting that resulted in 57 people being charged and taken before the courts while 12 were dealt with by community resolutions.

In addition, dedicated night time economy patrols in Broadway in December saw incidents of violent crime drop by 22 per cent with acts of anti-social behaviour falling by 28 per cent over the three months.

Police also seized 13 e-scooters seen being ridden illegally in the city centre.

And, say police, the growing number of detections are being strengthened by the willingness of courts to add banning orders to criminals’ sentences which prevents them entering certain areas of the city centre, including the Queensgate Shopping Centre.

The figures were released at a Peterborough Positive quarterly meeting of business people who were told that police had two teams, comprising a total of 13 officers, dedicated to targeting crime in the city centre.

Neighbourhood city centre Sergeant Steve Rose said: “By being more focused on the problem, areas and problem individuals we see a benefit across the city centre.

"If we target certain areas the city centre becomes a nicer place for everyone.

"It is about working a bit smarter with what resources we’ve got in order to reduce the impact that anti-social behaviour has on everyone in the city centre.

He added: “If we can get more officers on the street and seen by more people then that really helps us deter anti-social behaviour because they know police officers are around.

“We are starting to focus on those who cause the most issues with a view to long term problem solving.”