Crime prevention in your community
Not all crime can be stopped by just one person or a community, but when people work together with the police and their local council, they can help prevent crime. The first step is to learn and understand the signs of different crimes in your area.
Common crimes in South Cambridgeshire
Car thefts
Even though we can't always stop it, there are simple things we can all do to reduce the chance of being a victim of car crime. Find information on how your group can become an information sharing champion, raising awareness of car theft prevention in your community.
Burglaries
Most burglaries happen because there's an opportunity for the thief. By sharing information, your group can help prevent them by raising awareness of burglary prevention in your community.
Scams and rogue traders
People can trick us in different ways, like over the phone or online. Our scams page gives examples of what to look out for and how you and your group can help your community.
Preventing serious crime
The Eyes and Ears campaign explains different types of crime and how to report them. To help your community you can become a friend of Eyes and Ears and share crime prevention tips with locals. Booklets, posters and leaflets are available. Training programmes are also in process for your community and schools.
More serious crimes are occurring in the Cambridgeshire area and by raising awareness we can make sure local residents can understand these, notice the warning signs and report their concerns. Click the links in the next section to learn more about these issues and find resources to raise awareness:
5 categories of crime that communities can raise awareness of
Hate crime
The term, hate crime, refers to any crime where a person targets someone because of their disability, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. This hatred can come from anyone, even a stranger, friend or family. Hate crimes include damaging property or stealing money.
Signs of hate crime
- verbal abuse
- intimidation
- threats
- harassment
- assault
- bullying
Learn more by going to the True Vision website.
If it's an emergency, call the police at 999. Otherwise, report hate crimes online to Cambs Police.
Child exploitation
Child exploitation involves hurting children in many ways. It includes:
- trafficking
- sexual abuse
- slavery
- forced marriage
- female genital mutilation
- drug dealing (county lines)
Abusers often trick children by acting like their friends. They may say that they will treat them better than their family.
Criminal exploitation is child abuse where children are forced or tricked into committing crimes.
Signs of child exploitation
- regularly missing school and not doing well at school
- going missing from home and returning with no explanation
- in a relationship with a much older person and showing aggression or violence
- having unexplained money, buying new things, and using new slang
- very secretive about online activity and using a new phone for calls and texts
- unexplained injuries, refusing medical help, and becoming withdrawn
- carrying weapons
Learn more with the NSPCC. They have trained advisors who can listen and direct to help available.
Domestic abuse
Roughly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men are likely to have experienced domestic violence in their lifetime. The terms, domestic violence and domestic abuse, can have various meanings, depending on the situation. The Home Office definition is as follows:
"Domestic violence is any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (physical, psychological, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality."
Individuals may be affected indirectly by domestic abuse. For example, children and young people, living in the same household can often be traumatised by seeing or hearing it. Moreover, there are significant connections between domestic abuse and child abuse.
Signs of domestic abuse
- change in behaviour/being forced to alter their behaviour
- frightened by their partner’s or family member’s reaction
- excuses for injuries
- personality changes
- low self-esteem
- loss of interest in daily activities
- seeming fearful
- skipping work or socials for no clear reason
- developing an alcohol or drug problem
Call 999 instantly if you believe someone's in immediate danger.
If it's not an emergency situation, the organisations below can help with situations of domestic abuse:
- Women's Aid - 0808 2000 247
- National Centre for Domestic Violence - 0844 8044 999
- ManKind Initiative - 01823 334 244
- Men's Advice Line - 0808 801 0327
- White Ribbon: White Ribbon aims to stop violence against women by men. Working with boys and girls, they challenge harmful attitudes in males. These attitudes can lead to harassment.
Modern-day slavery
People's desire for cheap products, services and sex fuels human trafficking. Thousands in the UK are trapped, forced to work against their will. The number of victims found keeps rising.
Signs of modern-day slavery
- appearing uneasy, untidy, malnourished, with poor hygiene
- showing signs of acute fatigue and untreated injuries
- displaying fear, anxiety, stress, anger, or agitation
- being withdrawn, traumatised, or confused
- unable to speak clearly or communicate effectively
- having difficulty understanding English or comprehending instructions
- showing a reluctance to engage with you or accept help
- hesitating to leave their situation or fearing intervention from authorities
- having someone else pay for their travel or speak on their behalf
- being picked up and dropped off for work at unusual times
- unsure about their address
Children
- mood swings, anger, sadness, withdrawal, and extreme behaviours like aggression
- showing inappropriate sexual behaviour and dressing
- going missing at nights or weekends and skipping school
- receiving unexplained gifts or presents
If you need help or advice, or want to report modern slavery, call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700. You can also report online on the Modern Slavery Helpline website.
If you think someone is in immediate danger, Call the police instantly on 999.
Radicalisation
Radicalisation and extremism involve situations where individuals or groups hold extreme ideas. This may include political, social or religious ideas. They often reject or threaten our communities, modern values, and freedom of choice. It can even lead to terrorism.
Signs of radicalisation
- isolation from family and friends
- speaking in a scripted language and avoiding discussions about beliefs
- displaying sudden disrespect and aggression towards others
- increasing secrecy, especially about internet use
Learn more:
- True Vision
- Cambridge & Peterborough Safeguarding Children Partnership Board
- Call the police at 999 if you think someone's in immediate danger.