This month the Constabulary will focus on violent crime, specifically alcohol related violence. Often the result of too much drink, a night out can turn into a disaster for victims. We want to reduce assaults and anti-social behaviour by working with licensed premises across the district.

South Cambs has a displaced night-time economy, unlike Cambridge, Huntingdon and Peterborough City centres our licensed premises are spread over a vast areas, and traditional cops on the beat wont always help prevent violent crime.

So what are we doing? – We work closely with South Cambs District Council who share a statutory responsibly for maintaining safety in and around our licenced pubs and clubs. Work goes on behind the scenes year round to ensure that licence holders are abiding by the four licensing objectives:

• the prevention of crime and disorder;
• public safety;
• the prevention of public nuisance;
• the protection of children from harm.

The three geographical Sergeants, Sgts Sandra Davidson (Sawston), Jon Capes (Cambourne) and Paul Rogerson (Histon) act as licensing officers for the District.  SCDC licensing officers Tara King, Miles Bebbington and Julie Stallibrass co-ordinate the majority of checks and administration of licenses, working with the Police to highlight any concerns. Together we monitor:

• Personal licence holders
• Designated premises supervisors
• Temporary event notices (applications for events where  there is entertainment or alcohol)
• Public entertainment licences.

The Constabulary runs a traffic light system, the three geographical Sergeants review incidents and crime at or around licensed premises. Premises are graded in accordance with certain triggers such as violent crime, noise complaints, drugs offences and so on. Should any premises move from a green to amber light, this triggers a visit from the local Sergeant and the licensing team at South Cambs district council.

In peak times such as the summer, Christmas and new year SCDC and Police licencing officer patrol together in the evenings visiting licensed premises to ensure they are trading lawfully and complying with their licence terms.

If you have an enquiry about a licensed premises you can contact Cambs Police by calling 101 or SCDC on 03450 450 500

Paul Rogerson, Histon Sergeant