Police officers are swapping squad cars for bicycles to patrol Peterborough’s Embankment as part of a fresh crackdown on anti-social behaviour. The City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team has made tackling trouble in the area one of three official priorities, alongside disrupting repeat offenders and boosting visibility in the retail sector. Officers will now be a regular sight riding along the riverside, aiming to deter the rowdy and sometimes criminal behaviour that has blighted the popular spot.
The bicycle patrols come as figures show Peterborough struggles with anti-social behaviour at a rate of 20.9 offences per 1,000 people, well above the national average of 14.8. The Central Ward, which includes parts of the city centre, records an even starker 55.9 incidents per 1,000. The extended three-year Public Spaces Protection Order gives police and council enforcement teams added clout, covering the Embankment and surrounding areas. Authorised Council Officers, Police Community Support Officers and constables can now issue £100 Fixed Penalty Notices for breaches without needing witness statements, making enforcement swifter and less dependent on reluctant bystanders.
The multi-agency push includes using Criminal Behaviour Orders to rein in the most persistent offenders, with 22 such orders currently active in Peterborough for crimes like anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and drug dealing. The Cambridgeshire Constabulary teams are working with council colleagues to ensure the Embankment remains a welcoming space as the warmer months arrive. Residents can receive direct updates on police activity in their area by signing up to the eCops messaging system, staying informed about patrols and results.
The switch to two wheels allows officers to cover the Embankment’s pathways more nimbly than a patrol car, closing in on trouble spots before they escalate. With the PSPO now extended for three years, the joint effort signals a long-term commitment to cleaning up a location that has drawn consistent complaints.
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