'Youths' terrorise Cambridge area with violence, arson and vandalism

Police are upping patrols in an area of Cambridge hit by a spike in violence, arson, and vandalism.

Cambridgeshire police say they have been called to a dozen incidents at the Orchard Park Community Centre, north of the city, over the past year.

According to Elisa Meschini from the Orchard Park Community Council this includes bin fires, smashed windows, attempted break-ins and roof climbing.

She claimed that the people committing these crimes appear to be young people.

But police are trying to work with local residents more incidents are reported.

We had a spike in crimes last month

A Cambridgeshire Police spokeswoman said: "We have received 12 reports of incidents at The Orchard Community Centre over the past year, between February 18, 2018, and today, ranging from violence, rowdy or nuisance behaviour and suspicious circumstances.

"We know the negative impact crimes such as these can have on communities and will investigate where possible.

"The policing team are members of a local residents' group who are working to encourage reporting.

"The group comprises of elected councillors from the parish and county council and local residents - PC Eleanor Bacchus also sits as a member of this group and is working with them.

"Extra patrols in the area have responded to the last spike in reporting of concern in January 2019, and we would like to send a positive message to residents that we are listening and will respond.

"We are aware that a number of matters are not reported to us and we encourage residents and businesses to do so.

"All reports help us to build a bigger picture of problem areas which we are then able to target."

Apologies over booking

The problems are also understood to have left managers at the centre in fear over booking youth groups.

One man claimed he was told the centre had to "seriously consider" if it was willing to book another youth group at the centre on Saturday (February 18) because of "previous problems" with young people.

But Cllr Meschini has apologised if these claims were true, and urged anyone to continue booking at the centre.

A Cambridgeshire Police spokeswoman added: "We would urge anyone who witnesses or experiences a crime of a similar nature to contact 101 or report this online at  https://www.cambs.police.uk/report/Report , or call 999 if a crime is in progress."