A specialist policing unit targeting prolific offenders in Peterborough and Fenland has made 25 arrests in its first month of operation.
Launched in July, the Spree Offender Team focuses on persistent criminals and aims to prevent repeat offences. Their targets include perpetrators of high-volume crimes such as shoplifting, non-residential burglaries, cycle theft, and vehicle-related thefts.
The arrests have resulted in 91 charges, with several offenders already serving custodial sentences. The total value of stolen goods recovered exceeds £9,000.
Working in partnership with local authorities, probation services, and businesses, the team concentrates on individuals suspected of committing five or more offences within six weeks, or those deemed likely to reoffend based on recent behaviour.
Following the success of a similar initiative in Cambridge—launched in September 2023—a second team has now been deployed in the north of the county.
Detective Chief Inspector Chris O’Brien said:
“I’m delighted we’ve established a Spree Offender Team for Peterborough and Fenland to target prolific perpetrators of crime. The team has already delivered fantastic results, and our experience in Cambridge shows this approach works.
“They complement, not replace, the wider policing effort to bring offenders to justice and protect our communities. We understand the serious impact theft has on victims, businesses, and employers—from financial loss to abuse and intimidation. We’ll continue doing everything we can to identify offenders and bring them before the courts.”
