Residents from across Cambridgeshire recently joined Cambridgeshire ACRE’s Staying Connected session with Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston to discuss policing, community safety and the issues that matter most to rural communities. During the session, Darryl highlighted the important role that Community Safety Partnerships play in tackling local concerns and explained how parish councils, community organisations and residents can access support and funding to address problems in their area.

Many of the issues raised by residents, including anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping, speeding, criminal damage and other forms of nuisance behaviour, cannot be solved by the police alone. Community Safety Partnerships bring together local authorities, police, fire services, health partners and voluntary organisations to develop practical solutions tailored to local communities.

A key part of this work is delivered through dedicated Problem-Solving Co-ordinators, whose posts are funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner. These officers help identify local concerns, coordinate partnership responses, support community-led projects and connect groups with funding opportunities. Darryl encouraged parish councils and community organisations to work with their local coordinator to explore ideas that could help prevent crime, tackle anti-social behaviour and improve community wellbeing.

Meet your local Problem-Solving Co-ordinator

East Cambridgeshire: Lydia Barlow 📧 lydia.barlow@eastcambs.gov.uk

South Cambridgeshire: Beth Watson 📧 beth.watson@scambs.gov.uk

Cambridge: Chloe Newell 📧 chloe.newell@cambridge.gov.uk

Huntingdonshire: Georgia Patterson 📧 georgia.patterson@huntingdonshire.gov.uk

Fenland: Niamh Webb 📧 nwebb@fenland.gov.uk

Peterborough: Heidi Kerr 📧 heidi.kerr@peterborough.gov.uk

These officers can help communities understand local safety concerns, connect with relevant partners and explore opportunities for funding and practical action.

Find out what’s happening in your area

One of the resources highlighted during the session was Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s Your Area website.

Simply enter your village, town or postcode and you’ll be able to:

• Find your local neighbourhood policing team
• See who your named police officers and PCSOs are
• View local crime statistics
• Learn about neighbourhood priorities
• Read updates about police activity in your area
• Find details of upcoming community meetings and engagement events
• Discover ways to contact your local policing team

The site contains a wealth of local information, with a range of tabs across the top allowing you to explore neighbourhood priorities, crime data, policing activity and community updates.

👉 Visit the Your Area website and see what’s happening where you live.

Working together to keep communities safe

Darryl emphasised that strong communities are one of the best defences against crime and anti-social behaviour. Whether it’s reporting concerns, sharing information, supporting local initiatives or working with partners to address persistent problems, residents and local organisations all have an important role to play.

Cambridgeshire ACRE’s Staying Connected sessions aim to help rural communities access information, build connections and hear directly from organisations that can support them. By working together, communities, partners and local services can help ensure Cambridgeshire’s villages remain safe, welcoming and resilient places to live.