| Don’t let burglars ruin your holiday |
| We are asking people to consider home security ahead of a peak in holidays over the summer months. According to research 77 percent of adults are planning a summer holiday meaning there is likely to be an increase in unoccupied properties in the county. While we are seeing a 19 percent reduction in burglary this year (Jan – June 2025) compared to the previous year, opportunist thieves can use the holiday season to their advantage. So we’re asking people to think about home security if they are planning on going away. There are several steps people can take to protect their homes, particularly with the support of friends, family and neighbours. Whether that be asking someone to move the bins, park on your drive or using timers on lights – there are lots of measures people can take to make their home look ‘lived in’ while they are away. We have dedicated teams who are working hard to combat burglary and bring thieves to justice. Tackling it is a force priority as we aim to make Cambridgeshire an even safer place to live. If you are going away consider: · Maintain a normal routine while you are away by asking a family member, friend or neighbour if they can: · Put the bins out · Open and close blinds/curtains as you would normally · Remove post and parcels that are delivered · Make your home look lived in: · Use smart bulbs or timers to switch lights on and off · Use the timer function to turn you TV on and off · If you have a smart device such as an Alexa set it to play music at certain times in the day. · Review your security: · Consider installing an alarm, outside light with a sensor · Consider installing CCTV/doorbell camera · Ensure all outbuildings and sheds are locked Further information about holiday burglary advice is available on the force website – Going away? Don’t give it away | Cambridgeshire Constabulary |
Category: Police
E-Cops – Door to Door Sellers
| Door-to-door sellers operating in the area |
| We’ve had reports of door-to-door sellers visiting homes in the area. They are often nicknamed ‘Nottingham Knockers’ and involve people claiming to have recently been released from prison and selling goods to help them raise funds and mend their ways. However, this is not part of any officially-recognised offender rehabilitation programme. Residents are being urged to remain cautious and report any suspicious behaviour to police. If a crime is taking place call 999 otherwise report online or call 101. |
E-Cops
Cambridgeshire Constabulary are continuing to highlight their new yellow wristbands and online form, which will help officers in the event a loved one living with dementia goes missing in Cambridgeshire.
Officers and staff in our Prevention and Vulnerability Hubs have been attending community events, GP surgeries, hospitals and working with partners to spread the word – like at Grove Medical Centre’s open day in St Ives recently.
The new yellow wristbands, like a watch in appearance, will contain the person’s next of kin’s contact details and number. If you see someone looking confused or disorientated but wearing one of these wristbands, you can use your phone to easily bring up the information and reunite the person with their family (often without the need to call police).
At our latest community event, they managed to issue a wristband to a person living with dementia and help set it up with their chosen carer’s details.
Our new Herbert Protocol form can also be filled out online – which encourages family and friends to collate key info such as a physical description, familiar places, health details and a recent photo of a loved one with dementia that will help officers if they go missing.
More than 135 people have already done the same. To register your interest for one of the new wristbands, watch a quick video on how to scan them or fill out our new Herbert Protocol form for a loved one, visit the dedicated page on our website.
E-Cops Bulletin
| Do you or the people you love know the true consequences of knife crime? These can include: · A four-year prison sentence just for carrying a weapon · A permanent criminal record, which you have to declare for the rest of your life (for example when applying for jobs or going on holiday) · If you carry a knife for protection, you’re more likely to have it used against you Our weapons amnesty takes place this week, but we speak to young people at schools about the dangers of knife crime all year round. However, we can’t do it alone. Having a conversation with the children or teenagers in your life about knife crime could make all the difference. There have been some heart-breaking cases in Cambridgeshire in recent years where young men have lost their lives because of a drugs dispute or because their attacker decided to carry a weapon. For more info about this week’s knife amnesty, how you can hand in knives and other weapons, and knife crime in general, please see this latest news story our website. |
E-Cops bulletin
| We’re issuing a warning ahead of the bank holiday weekend after a spike in burglaries last year. There were more burglaries on the week of the late May bank holiday than at any other time in 2024. Although some homes were broken into, many thieves acted as opportunists, stealing items when windows were left open or doors unlocked. We’re asking residents to remain extra vigilant and ensure their property is secure at all times. For more information and crime prevention advice visit our website. |
E-Cops – weapons amnesty
| A new way to dispose of knives and other items without prosecution by us is being piloted in some areas of the county as a weapons amnesty takes place next week. As well as knives, people can surrender items such as knuckledusters, extendable batons, curved swords and zombie weapons that have been made illegal to own. The amnesty will not cover guns. The week-long initiative starts on Monday (19 May) with amnesty bins at Thorpe Wood Police Station in Peterborough and Parkside Police Station in Cambridge throughout. An amnesty bin will also be available at Cambourne Police Station between 2pm and 6pm on Thursday (22 May) and at Sawston Police Station between 10am and 2pm on the same date. This year people who want to dispose of knives or weapons, but who may struggle to get to an amnesty bin next week, can now arrange for officers to visit their home and collect them. The idea is being piloted in some areas of Cambridgeshire including Peterborough, Fenland and East Cambridgeshire. Anyone interested in doing so is asked to email NorthKnifeAmnesty@cambs.police.uk (for areas in Peterborough and Fenland) and OpSceptreEastCambs@cambs.police.uk for areas in East Cambs. The email should contain their address and contact details. They will then be contacted by an officer who will arrange collection. These mailboxes will only be active until the end of the amnesty on Sunday, 25 May. Alongside this, officers will be visiting schools across the county, carrying out extra patrols in “hotspot” areas and targeting those believed to be carrying knives. The week will be supported by officers, Specials and police cadets. The previous amnesty held in November saw 370 items handed in – a record number for Cambridgeshire. In the past year, possession of weapons offences in Cambridgeshire increased by 31 per cent. ‘You will be safer in reality’ Superintendent Paul Rogerson said: “Regular amnesties continue to be part of our ongoing work to combat knife crime in the county and I am pleased we have a new option available to people this year. “Although our statistics show possession of weapon offences have increased, this doesn’t necessarily mean knife crime has done the same. The rise could be due to any number of reasons, for example more pro-active work by officers to tackle the issue, more stop searches, or others having more confidence to report those who carry weapons to us. “For example in that same timeframe, 215 extra stop searches were carried out in hot spot areas and 160 more knives were seized during those searches. “It’s important we continue our other work in this area, such as speaking to young people at schools about the dangers of knife crime. “Very few people carry knives in our county. However, if you suspect a friend or family member does, please speak to them about the amnesty and encourage them to do the right thing. By disposing of any weapons, they will be safer in reality, and this also removes the risk of them being prosecuted.” The national Sceptre initiative is also part of Operation Guardian – the Constabulary’s ongoing strategy to combat knife crime in the county. What is the law? Where knives are concerned, it is illegal to: – sell a knife of any kind to anyone under 18 years old – carry a knife in public without good reason – unless it’s a knife with a folding blade 3 inches long (7.62 cm) or less, eg a Swiss Army knife – carry, buy or sell any type of banned knife – use any knife in a threatening way (even a legal knife, such as a Swiss Army knife) The maximum penalty for an adult carrying a knife is four years in prison and a fine of £5,000. Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston said: “I encourage anyone who has a knife, or knows someone else who has one, to hand these into one of the amnesty bins available. “Knife crime has a devastating impact on the lives of victims, their families and the wider community. “While we do not see the same levels of violence as other parts of the country, it is essential we all play our part in educating our young people as to the dangers of carrying knives.” Visit Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s website for more information on knife crime and to access a list of the banned items. |
E-Cops Bulletin
| A topping out ceremony has been held to mark the highest point of the build of Milton Police Station. Officers and staff from Cambridgeshire Constabulary were joined by the Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston, alongside contractors Willmott Dixon at the site of the new station on Friday (9 May). Mr Preston and Chief Constable Nick Dean signed the final piece of internal parapet cement board to the main roof to celebrate completion of the main construction phase. The steel framework is in place and exterior walls are going up in the custody suite, giving a clear view of the building’s final footprint. |
Parent Webinars – County lines and criminal exploitation – Ivison Trust
The Ivison Trust (formerly known as Parents Against Child Exploitation (PACE)) are holding two evening seminars specifically for parents and carers in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough on County Lines and Criminal Exploitation. These seminars will be delivered with a parent whose child has been a victim of exploitation, sharing their experiences and advice on responding to risks.
The sessions will share what criminal exploitation is, with a focus on county lines and explore how to spot signs that it may be happening to your child or a child you know. They will also cover trends in the local area and where to get advice and support if you are concerned.
The seminars are being held on:
Cambridgeshire: 17th June 2025 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Peterborough: 18th June 2025 7:00 – 8:30pm
I would be grateful if you could share this information within your community – places can be booked via the Ivison Trust website Parent webinars – county lines and criminal exploitation – Ivison Trust.
e-cops
| An officer conducting house to house enquiries today visited several properties where windows were left open, but nobody was at home. Many burglars are opportunists, and this provides them with an easy way of getting into your property. The warmer weather is glorious, but please remember to shut windows if you go out. This is a simple way of protecting your home. More burglary prevention advice can be found on our website. |
e-cops
| You close the door to your home. It should be your safe space, but it’s not. It’s 7.24pm on a Monday night and you’re in fear of your husband. You walk down the road quickly. You glance back, and realise he’s following you. You start walking in Peterborough city centre, unsure where to turn, but you end up near Thorpe Wood police enquiry office. You call police using the yellow emergency phone, but then your spirits lift – you see a police officer making their way into work and flag them down. This might sound like a slightly farfetched dream, but it was the reality of what one woman faced earlier this week. She told the officer she had fled her home in the city and alleged eight years of domestic violence and coercive control. She told them her husband takes her money, controls her movements, doesn’t let her go out or buy new clothes. We immediately took steps to safeguard the woman and made sure she had a safe place to spend the night. We arrested a man from Peterborough in connection with the allegations, and enquiries continue. For more info, advice and support about domestic abuse, including coercive control, visit our dedicated web pages. Alternatively, you can call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. Call us on 999 if you, or someone you know, is in immediate danger. Sometimes, enough is enough. #WednesdayWisdom #YouAreNotAlone #SaferCambs |
ECops
| In Action Fraud’s new campaign, we are urging people planning to buy tickets or attend this summer’s events and concerts to stay vigilant to criminals. According to new data, £9.7 million was lost to ticket fraud in 2024 in the UK alone. Action Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting service, has launched a new ticket fraud awareness campaign, warning people to be alert to fraudsters trying to catch out people planning for popular and sold-out events. Follow our top tips to avoid falling victim to ticket fraud. · Only buy tickets from the venue’s box office, official promoter or agent, or a well-known ticketing website. · Avoid paying for tickets by bank transfer, especially if buying from someone unknown. Credit card or payment services such as PayPal give you a better chance of recovering the money if you become a victim of fraud. · The password you use for your email account, as well as any other accounts you use to purchase tickets, should be different from all your other passwords. Use three random words to create a strong and memorable password, and enable 2-step verification (2SV). · Be wary of unsolicited emails, texts or adverts offering unbelievably good deals on tickets. · Is the vendor a member of STAR? If they are, the company has signed up to their strict governing standards. STAR also offers an approved Alternative Dispute Resolution service to help customers with outstanding complaints. For more information visit star.org.uk/buy_safe. If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040, or call Police Scotland on 101. |
Crime Update from eCops
| It’s 6.36am on a Tuesday, but one mum isn’t making her child breakfast or getting ready for work. Instead, she’s locked herself in her own bathroom – terrified. This may sound like just a story, but it was the true reality of what one of our call handlers faced when they picked up a 999 call earlier this week. The woman, living in Peterborough, confided that she had shut herself in her toilet with her child for her own safety and said her husband had just attacked her. She was having to whisper and couldn’t give information easily. She was barely audible, but we established she needed help right away. Officers arrived at her home 13 minutes later, where the woman disclosed years of suspected domestic abuse and coercive control. One man was arrested on suspicion of assault and intentional strangulation, and enquiries continue. Did you know? If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, pressing 55 after calling 999 alerts police operators that you need help but are in a situation where you can’t talk. Dialling 55 lets the operator know your call is genuine and they will try to track your location. If you can’t speak, listen carefully to the questions and instructions from our demand hub call agents so they can assess your situation and arrange help. For more information, advice and support concerning domestic abuse, visit our dedicated web pages. |
ECOPS – Rural concerns discussed during regular patrols
| Our patrols of Fenland, East Cambridgeshire and South Cambridgeshire have continued this week, engaging with residents and farmers about any rural crime concerns they may have. |
Lucy Ward (Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Communications Assistant, Peterborough and Fenland) |
| People looking to snap up online holiday deals ahead of the summer are being warned to stay extra alert and do their research before booking their getaways, as new data reveals victims lost a total of over £11 million to holiday fraud last year. Action Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting service, has launched a holiday fraud campaign, urging the public who are looking to snap up their next holiday deals online to look out for suspiciously enticing offers online, including on social media, and do their research before booking their getaways. New data shows there were 6,066 reports of holiday fraud made to Action Fraud last year, with July recorded as the highest month of reporting with 647 reports. Holiday makers lost a combined total of £11,183,957 in 2024, which is comparatively less than the £12.3 million lost in 2023. Despite, the drop in reported loss, the average loss per victim remains at similar levels, with £1,851 the average in 2023 and £1,844 in 2024. What can you do to protect yourself from holiday fraud? · Check the travel company is legitimate: about to book a holiday? Do some research first to check that the company is legitimate, especially if you haven’t used them before. Use consumer websites, or reviews from people (or organisations) that you trust. · Look for the logos: look for the ABTA, ABTOT or ATOL logos on the company’s website. If you’re unsure, you can use the links below to verify membership: ABTA – https://www.abta.com ABTOT – https://www.abtot.com/abtot-members-directory/ ATOL – https://www.atol.org · Use a credit card to pay: use a credit card for payments (if you have one). Many of these protect online purchases as part of the Consumer Credit Act. · Only provide required details at checkout: when making your payment, only fill in the mandatory details (often marked with an asterisk) such as your address. Unless you think you’ll become a regular customer, don’t create an account for the store. · Keep your accounts secure: create a strong and unique password for your email. If 2-step verification is available, always enable it. · Watch out for suspicious links: whether it’s in an email or social media post, be wary of promotions for unbelievably good holiday offers. If you receive a suspicious email, report it by forwarding it to: report@phishing.gov.uk Find out how to protect yourself from fraud: https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk If you’ve lost money or provided your financial information to someone, notify your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101. |