Peterborough community campaign wins national award

A community-focussed campaign to tackle serious and organised crime (SOC) in central Peterborough has won an award for partnership working.

The University of Huddersfield hosted the second annual NPCC Serious and Organised Crime (SOC) conference on 30 April, where the Peterborough “Alliance” team picked up a trophy for “outstanding partnership approach to serious and organised crime”.

 

 

The event brought together 30 police forces, eight Regional Organised Crime Units (ROCUs), local and combined authorities and government departments to focus on the “Clear, Hold, Build” strategy – to rebuild neighbourhoods most affected by organised crime.

Here in Cambridgeshire, parts of Millfield, New England and Park Ward in Peterborough were identified as having high-harm crime and as such this area was chosen to pilot the national initiative within the county.

Superintendent Paul Rogerson, Head of Partnerships and Prevention for Cambridgeshire Constabulary, said: “The work was introduced as a partnership, community-focussed campaign to rescue and regenerate parts of Millfield in late 2022, with it being formally branded “Alliance” by the community in early 2024.

 

 

“The area is well known locally, with a reputation of having entrenched, generational crime and deprivation and therefore it was important for Cambridgeshire to collaborate with residents and businesses to break that cycle.

“The initiative uses a combination of targeted high-visibility police operations and covert policing tactics alongside activity from partners and charities, as well as inputs from the residents to protect communities and prevent organised crime groups (OCGs) from operating.”

In May 2023, “clear” commenced under Operation Tsunami, which saw 49 people arrested and £250,000 worth of class A drugs and two viable firearms seized.

Further “clear” activity included dismantling an organised crime group, seizing £10,000 in cash, £73,000 of illicit tobacco and £22,000 of illicit cigarettes.

Following this success, a joint operational model was agreed with partners and four operational delivery groups were formed under the following headings:

1. Crime and cohesion
2. Raising quality of life
3. Environment and infrastructure
4. Youth, education and families

The community was very much part of the journey and, with an upsurge in community engagement via door-to-door visits, patrols, and events, the community began to see a difference.

Engagement and activities have included a “Green Space” project to improve the amenity of areas; the opening of the SPARX Community Shop in Queensgate shopping centre, where profits are put back into the community via sporting initiatives; a community hub for police and partners to engage with the community, resulting in a dramatic increase in intelligence; and Police Street Soccer.

 

There has also been a reduction in crime, specifically burglaries and knife crime.

Supt Rogerson added: “We’re very proud of the Alliance achievements so far and every person involved in the project has been key to its delivery.

“Work continues with innovative ideas and an invigorated outlook for the year ahead. Each small change can make a huge difference to those living and working within the area.”

Councillor Alison Jones, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities for Peterborough City Council, said: “I’m a big believer that great things can be achieved when people and organisations come together to tackle a problem, and this award is proof. 

“Not only has it reduced crime rates in this part of the city, it has also brought residents closer together and there are ongoing stronger relationships between the police, council and the community which should deliver lasting change in this part of the city.

“A big well done to everyone who has played their part in Alliance and in achieving this award.”

More information about Alliance can be found on our Alliance campaign page.