Fen| Special Investigation Special Inve
Rural Crime Focus A
WE PUT THE AREA’S TOP COP ON THE SPOT…
sk people living in East Cambridgeshire and Fenland whether they think
the police are doing a good job in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, and many will grimace and say no. Police resources have been boosted in recent years, according to statistics given to FenSCENE by Cambridgeshire Constabulary. In April 2018, the force had 1,394 officers, and by January this year, following moves by the Police and Crime Panel, the total had risen by 130 to 1,524.
In addition, Cambridgeshire isn't one of England's crime blackspots. Annual recorded crime statistics for the year ending June 2019 put the county in the bottom third out of 39 police force areas. But many residents find any criminal activity, as well as anti- social behaviour, very upsetting, especially when they have first- hand experience of it – and the perception among some is that they would feel much safer if there was a more visible police presence in their villages.
Serious offences, such as violent assault and robbery, are less prevalent in rural parts than in cities and towns, but burglary and car theft is on the radar, as well as 'country crimes' such as hare coursing, poaching and agricultural equipment theft. Disused farm buildings provide havens for cannabis growers, and there has been a spate of ram raids on village
shops and post offices in recent years.
ANTI-SOCIAL
Social media tells the story of how distressing anti-social behaviour can be. One resident at Haddenham posted on Facebook about how teenagers were hurling bricks and eggs at houses, and at Cottenham and other villages, people have complained that bikers and car drivers have been using roads and fields for racing. One resident in an East Cambs village, who asked not to be named, told FenSCENE his community once had a 'live-in' police officer, but was now looked
FenScene's investigative reporter, Chris Elliott lives in the Ely area and is a former winner of the National Reporter of the Year award
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Above: High visibility policing is unrealistic in today’s modern police force.
Right:
Cambridgeshire police numbers have risen by 130 since April 2018 to 1,524.
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