Peterborough's MP says too many people don't feel safe in the city
Figures show an increase in shoplifting, possession of a weapon and sexual offenses in 2024
New figures are showing the number of shoplifting, possession of a weapon and sexual offenses in Peterborough saw a rise in 2024 compared to the previous year.
It's comes as Peterborough's MP is urging the chief constable to use government funding for neighbourhood policing to get more officers in the city centre where he says they're needed most.
Businesses are losing thousands of pounds
Andrew Pakes, Peterborough's MP, said:
"Everyone wants to feel safe going out and I think we need to get some visible policing back on the streets so people aren't just safe but they feel safe."
"We know that businesses are losing thousands of pounds because of the epidemic of shoplifting."
"It's threatening and frightening to shop staff but also customers going about their daily business."
It's threatening and frightening to shop staff
Office for National Statistics figures show in 2024 there were 22,574 total crime, a decrease of 7% from 2023.
However, there were 2059 recorded shoplifting incidents in the city.
This is 3% more than the year before.
The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee launched in April means 30 extra police officers, seven PCSOs and 13 Specials for Cambridgeshire.
At the time, Chief Constable Nick Dean said:
“Neighbourhood policing is an essential part of modern policing and critical to our work to improve trust and confidence."
“I'm really proud of the neighbourhood policing teams across the county and the work they do, and this has been highlighted throughout many inspections across the force."
“Anything that allows us to invest further in neighbourhood policing is really welcomed."
“We are committed to strengthening our ability to engage with communities, deal with the issues important to them and communicate back on the action we have taken.”