Not all crime can be tackled by a community, but in partnership with the police and your local council, you can help prevent crime by:

• knowing and understand what are the signs of specific crimes in your community
• setting up a group to raise awareness 
• posting regular awareness updates via your village notice board or social media

Crimes in your area

Find crime statistics for your area, along with local news and advice about the issues in your community.

For more information on how to prevent these crimes please visit the Our Watch website. 

Other crimes that you can help to prevent are: 

Hate crimes

This could be towards the victim's disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity. It can include damage to property, as well as exploitation for financial gain. You can report hate crime to the police; call 999 in an emergency or report online at Cambs Police.

An alternative method to report hate crime can be made via True Vision. This website also has a comprehensive list of support organisations for more resources on many different types of hate crime.

You can become a ‘Hate Crime’ champion for your community or organisation. This is voluntary and includes:

• displaying information on hate crime
• acting as a point of contact for people to discuss hate crimes
• signposting people to appropriate services
• information and guidance
• sharing key messages from local authorities and police regarding hate crimes.

Contact communitysafety@scambs.gov.uk for more information.

Child exploitation

Crimes such as trafficking, sexual exploitation, slavery, forced marriage, female genital mutilation and county lines drug trafficking. Contact the NSPCC to speak to trained professionals about what is happening, so they can signpost you to the right services and support agencies.

To help know the signs #LookCloser To Spot Exploitation.

For safeguarding training and to make a referral on any child safeguarding concerns please visit Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Safeguarding Partnership Board.

Domestic abuse

If you think anyone is in immediate danger, call 999 immediately. For more information and support please visit our domestic abuse webpage.

Modern day slavery

Demand for cheap goods, cheap labour and cheap sex has created the perfect storm for human trafficking. Thousands of people across the UK are being forced into a life they didn’t ask for, with more people discovered every day. For help, advice or support, or to report a case of modern slavery please call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 or report it online on the Modern Slavery Helpline website. 

Radicalisation

Radicalisation and extremism are processes that involve either an individual or a group who adopt extreme political, social, or religious ideas. 

Please visit ACT Early Prevent radicalisation for information on signs to look for and support available. To share a concern, you have about someone or ask for advice, please visit the Cambridgeshire Constabulary Prevent page for different reporting options. 

Drugs

Possession of drugs and drug dealing are crimes that are increasingly being seen in rural areas. ‘County Lines’ is a term to describe the ‘telephone lines’ used to bring drugs out into smaller towns and villages from the bigger cities. Very often young vulnerable children are targeted to do the drug running, which is exploitation. The Children's Society explains more on this.

The National County Lines Coordination Centre has useful short videos on warning signs, understanding exploitation and cuckooing. County Lines Warning Signs, How to Spot Exploitation Early.

Ivison Trust offers telephone support for parents and carers against child exploitation.

Drug possession and dealing can be reported to the police or to crime stoppers if you want to remain anonymous. The police need intelligence on drug dealing to assist their work to target areas and dealing lines. Crimestoppers reports can be made online or by calling 0800 555 111. More information on drug dealing and how to report it to Cambs Police can be found on the Cambridgeshire Constabulary website.

Support for people using drugs can help people break free from this damaging behaviour and other related issues that can come alongside drug usage. For more information on different drugs, the effects and dangers visit the FRANK website.

Drug and alcohol treatment services

Referrals for support can be made in Cambridgeshire to the below organisations:

• for young people please visit CASUS
• for adults please visit Cambridge Drug and Alcohol Service Cambridgeshire