Prolific offenders targeted in crime crackdown

A year-long police pilot has resulted in charges for more than 700 suspected crimes.

Cambridgeshire Police said it has made 262 arrests and brought charges for 731 incidents, including shoplifting, burglary, assaults, breaches of court orders, drug offences, and criminal damage.

The specialist team was launched in July last year by the force to support the retail industry by targeting prolific offenders across Peterborough and Fenland.

Det Ch Insp Chris O'Brien, the force's lead for retail crime, said it is "devastating" when "smaller retailers have to close down [as a] result of shoplifting".

He continued: "We want it to be reported to us. We want to investigate it and hold perpetrators to account."

O'Brien said the pilot was launched after the scheme received success in the south of the county.

Since July, he said there had been increased plain-clothed and uniformed patrols.

A spokesperson for the force said: "Officers in the team led by Det Sgt Rich Seston have built relationships with businesses across Peterborough and addressed issues such as the under-reporting of retail crime."

Do you have a story suggestion for Peterborough? Contact us below.

Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.