Back To Normality For Cambs Police

15 August 2011, 11:36 | Updated: 15 August 2011, 11:47

Rest days for officers at Cambridgeshire Police have been reinstated following national disturbances last week.

Cambridgeshire's Police officers worked 12 hour shifts last week, without rest days, after disturbances in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool.

All available officers were called in to take part in reassurance patrols across communities in Cambridgeshire.

However, Cambridgeshire Police has told Heart the force is now looking to "return to normality and focus on business as usual".

During last week, 22 people were arrested in connection with Cambridgeshire Police's operation to deal with disturbances.

16 of those arrests were in connection with a disturbance in Cambridge on Tuesday night.

A further six arrests have since been potentially linked to the national violence, including four for criminal damage in Peterborough, one for arson in Cambridge and one for arson in Peterborough.

Deputy Chief Constable John Feavyour said: "The support and messages of thanks we have received from the public throughout this operation have been overwhelming. 

I know officers and staff have been grateful to see their hard work has been well received and that the people of Cambridgeshire have been behind the force.

Thankfully, the county saw no major disorder and I was impressed by the willingness of the community to continue with business as usual and use social media in a positive way.

We are now at a stage where we can start to return officers and staff to normal shifts and focus on daily police business.

My officers and staff have gone above and beyond to ensure the county was protected and I am humbled by their efforts.  Everyone has worked long hours and despite being exhausted have kept smiling and carried on.

The frontline operation was heavily supported by Specials, PCSOs, the force’s IT department and corporate communications, to name a few.

A lot of the time this work can go unnoticed but they have all played an invaluable role in the success of this operation.

We are making arrangements to return those officers and staff to their normal shift arrangements and ensure people have the chance to rest."