Category: Cambridgeshire

  • Ex-Cambridgeshire Police officer created toxic WhatsApp culture

    Ex-Cambridgeshire Police officer created toxic WhatsApp culture



    Jurors heard 12 other officers had been investigated over their conduct arising from the “toxic” culture Street had created.Pc Josh Williams, 38, from Huntingdon, pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office.Of 11 others who were investigated, two resigned, one was dismissed for gross misconduct, one received a final warning and two received written warnings.In 2020, Williams was tasked with examining the phone of a female suspect and told Street she was “quite fit”.Street asked him if there were “any nudes”, and Williams replied that there was a video of the woman committing a sexual act.Williams went on to send Street a photo from the woman’s phone depicting her in underwear.The following year, Street asked if Williams still had the intimate private video because he wanted to show it to “the lads from footy”.When interviewed about it, Street claimed he wanted to see the images to reassure himself the woman, who was released without charge, was not the victim of exploitative behaviour.But Prosecutor Anne Whyte KC told jurors it was not Williams’s job to discuss or share the private images, and neither was it Street’s job to ask for nudes or the sex video.

  • Sugar on road shuts A14 after lorry fire at Catworth

    Sugar on road shuts A14 after lorry fire at Catworth



    Part of the A14 has been shut for a second day after a lorry fire left sugar on the road. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue was called to reports of a lorry blaze on the A14 westbound near Catworth at 09:59 BST on Thursday. National Highways has shut the road between junction 22 for Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, and junction 13 for Thrapston, Northamptonshire.The vehicle has been recovered but specialist contractors have had to “clear the load of sugar from the carriageway”, it added.A diversion, external is in place as one lane of the road needed to be completely resurfaced overnight, National Highways said. Do you have a story suggestion for Cambridgeshire? Contact us below.

  • Posh sign Southend goalkeeper Collin Andeng Ndi

    Posh sign Southend goalkeeper Collin Andeng Ndi



    The 22-year-old is the club’s third summer signing Author: Kellie MaddoxPublished 36 minutes agoLast updated 18 minutes agoPeterborough United have signed goalkeeper Collin Andeng Ndi from National League side Southend United. The 22-year-old Italian-born goalie joins for an undisclosed fee, having helped the Shrimpers win the FA Trophy at Wembley StadiumAndeng Ndi has penned a two-year contract with a year’s option at the Weston Homes Stadium and will officially become a Posh player on 1st July subject to ratification from the EFL. Manager Luke Williams said: “Collin will come in and really push Alex Bass. We have some real competition in that area of the pitch, they will help each other on the training pitch and it is great to have that little bit more experience with the amount of games that Collin has played.” Andeng Ndi, who has made 117 appearances in all competitions for the Shrimpers since graduating from the club’s Academy system, is excited by his new challenge. “I really enjoyed my time at Southend, I played a lot of games in the first team and I feel it is the right time to make this move and it is one that I am excited about. The modern day goalkeeper is obviously expected to be good with his feet and play out from the back, but it is vitally important that the major part of the role is not sacrificed, the job is to keep the ball out of the back of the net. “I am really happy it is all done before the start of pre-season, I can come in, meet the rest of the squad and get out there on the training pitch.”Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.

  • Nine-year-old bowler takes six wickets in six balls

    Nine-year-old bowler takes six wickets in six balls



    Rohan’s dad, Narain, 54, said it was “truly amazing” to watch his son complete the feat, especially on Father’s Day.”To get one wicket is a great achievement for someone so young, but wicket after wicket I was so proud,” Narain said.”Just him playing at the local cricket team was a great achievement.”I don’t think I realised how rare of an achievement it was.”Vishal Gupta, one of the team’s coaches and umpire at the match, said he “had the best seat in the house” to watch Rohan’s achievement.”I took my umpire hat off and threw him up in the air with his team,” said Gupta. “Everyone was clapping about it.”I don’t think I will ever see it again, it was amazing.”Lucas Green, the under-nines’ head coach, added that everyone watching was pleased for Rohan.”When the wickets fell for the sixth ball everyone ran on to the pitch,” he said.”The other team were so happy for him… and him and his team-mates enjoyed the moment.”Do you have a story suggestion for Cambridgeshire? Contact us below.

  • Popular women’s clothing shop to open in Cambridge shopping centre

    Popular women’s clothing shop to open in Cambridge shopping centre



    The new shop will open in Cambridge’s Grand Arcade in JulyGrand Arcade, Cambridge.(Image: Google Maps)A new women’s clothing store is set to open in a Cambridge shopping centre. Cambridge’s Grand Arcade shopping centre, situated in Corn Exchange Street, is welcoming a new shop to the centre.Nobody’s Child is set to open in July. Announcing the new opening on its TikTok, Grand Arcade posted a video showing a sneak peek at the front of the shop with the caption: “Consider this your sign to clear some wardrobe space.“Nobody’s Child will open in Grand Arcade later this summer. From playful prints to timeless styles, get ready to find your new favourite dress!”A Nobody’s Child spokesperson added: “Womenswear retailer, Nobody’s Child, is delighted to announce the opening of its new store in Grand Arcade, Cambridge, in July 2026. The 1,000 square foot store is the brand’s tenth standalone boutique, and the third opening for 2026.”Do you want more of the latest Cambridgeshire news as it comes in from across the county? Sign up to our dedicated newsletter to make sure you never miss a big story from Cambridge or anywhere else in the county. You can also sign up to our dedicated Traffic and Crime newsletters for the latest updates on the topics you are most interested in .

  • ‘We’re young Cambridgeshire voters – we don’t think about the EU’

    ‘We’re young Cambridgeshire voters – we don’t think about the EU’



    Chris Hopkins, the director of political research at polling firm Savanta, says polling has consistently suggested a majority of voters would support rejoining the EU. That, he adds, is driven by two things: demographic change and “Brexit regret”.In 2016, “older voters were far more likely to be leavers and younger voters were far more likely to be remainers”.”Some of those older voters will simply have died off and they’re being replaced by younger voters,” Hopkins says.Voters who were too young to vote a decade ago but have since turned 18 are “overwhelmingly more likely to vote to rejoin”.While many views on both sides are “entrenched”, Hopkins estimates between “one in five and one in seven” leavers might have changed their minds.What was causing “Brexit regret”?”I think there is just a perception not so much that anything was gotten wrong in 2016,” he says.But he adds that “Brits” don’t “necessarily feel as though they’ve really felt the benefit of Brexit”.”Their life hasn’t necessarily improved in the way that maybe some in the Leave campaign said it might.”

  • Man dies days after being diagnosed with ‘incredibly rare condition’

    Man dies days after being diagnosed with ‘incredibly rare condition’



    Brendon West was just 26 when he died less than a week after being diagnosed with a rare conditionA pre-inquest review hearing was held at Vantage House in Huntingdon(Image: Cambridgeshire Live)A 26-year-old man died after being diagnosed with an “incredibly rare condition”, an inquest has heard. Brendon West died on July 25, 2025, less than a week after being diagnosed with a rare condition called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).A pre-inquest review hearing was held on Tuesday, June 23, at Vantage House in Huntingdon by senior coroner David Heming. Brendon’s mum, Belinda West said that Addenbrooke’s Hospital were “exceptionally good”.The pre-inquest heard Belinda claim that she felt that if Brendon was transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, rather than another hospital, “we wouldn’t be here [at an inquest] today”.The pre-inquest heard that Brendon was treated for a condition called immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) before a later diagnosis of TTP. During the hearing, Belinda said that TTP was ruled out at one point but asked “how can you rule out a condition if you don’t test for it?”She believes that by medical professionals treating him for ITP, it “excavated his TTP”. Mr Heming said that the case is a “complex area” and described Brendon’s diagnosis as an “incredibly rare condition”.It was agreed by the coroner and all interested persons that a jury was not necessary. Brendon’s family, the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, and Cambridge University Hospital Trust were identified as interested persons.A haematology expert will be commissioned by the coroner’s court for a report which Mr Heming said could take “months upon months upon months”. He added that there “maybe some national learning here”.A future pre-inquest hearing date is due to be set. Following that hearing, a final inquest date will be decided.

  • Wine bar could open until early hours and host live music

    Wine bar could open until early hours and host live music



    The wine bar seeks to open until 1am on some daysBroadway Cellars in St Ives(Image: Supplied)A Cambridgeshire wine bar could be allowed open until the early hours, as well as host live music, if its licensing application is approved. Broadway Cellars opened in November 2025 along Broadway in St Ives.At the moment, the bar opens from 9am until 7pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Sundays, and then 9am until 11pm from Wednesdays to Saturdays. The bar owners have submitted a licensing application to Huntingdonshire District Council to extend its opening hours.It now seeks to open from 9am until 11pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, 9am until midnight on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and then 9am until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.In seasonal times, including Bank Holiday Sundays, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, it also seeks to open until 1am, depending on what day they fall on. As well as extending its opening hours, the bar hopes to host live music.If approved, live music could be held on Fridays and Saturdays between 8pm and midnight. For the licence to be complied with, it said a CCTV system “must be installed and maintained at the premises” and recordings must be maintained for 31 consecutive days.Do you want more of the latest Cambridgeshire news as it comes in from across the county? Sign up to our dedicated newsletter to make sure you never miss a big story from Cambridge or anywhere else in the county. You can also sign up to our dedicated Traffic and Crime newsletters for the latest updates on the topics you are most interested in .

  • Man stripped of licence to sell alcohol following drink driving conviction

    Man stripped of licence to sell alcohol following drink driving conviction



    A police officer described the man’s actions as “serious criminal conduct”The meeting was held at Sand Martin House(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)Peterborough City Council has stripped a man of his licence to sell alcohol following requests to do so by police. During a meeting at Sand Martin House on Friday, June 19, the council’s Licensing Sub-committee approved a request made by Cambridgeshire Constabulary to revoke David Cattermoul’s personal licence.The meeting heard that Mr Cattermoul was issued with an alcohol personal licence on November 17, 2025. However, Cambridgeshire Constabulary requested a review of Mr Cattermoul’s licence in May after he was convicted of driving a motor vehicle with excess alcohol at Cambridge Crown Court on March 26, 2025.According to the council’s Licensing Regulatory Officer, Darren Dolby, Mr Cattermoul was arrested for drink driving on February 5, 2026, when he “blew 57 on the evidential breath machine in custody, the legal limit being 35.”Mr Dolby went on to explain that being in charge of a motor vehicle while over the prescribed alcohol limit is a ‘relevant offence’ under the Licensing Act (2003), meaning Mr Cattermoul’s personal licence can be reviewed.In addition, a report put before the meeting said Mr Cattermoul was also convicted of dangerous driving and destroying or damaging property. As a result, he was disqualified from driving for 29 months and sentenced to 14 months in prison. The meeting heard that the court did not consider Mr Cattermoul’s alcohol personal licence at the time of sentencingCambridgeshire Constabulary was represented at the meeting by PC Paul Hawkins. Describing Mr Cattermoul’s actions as “serious criminal conduct,” PC Hawkins said it was right to seek revocation of Mr Cattermoul’s licence as “drink driving at a high reading [and] dangerous driving resulting in imprisonment” made him a “clear risk to the public.”Summarising, PC Hawkins said: “Given the seriousness of the offending, and the associated risk, Cambridgeshire Constabulary requests that revocation is a proportionate and appropriate outcome in this case.”The Licensing Sub-committee agreed unanimously to revoke Mr Cattermoul’s licence.

  • Councils fork out millions over 10 years in ‘false’ council tax support

    Councils fork out millions over 10 years in ‘false’ council tax support



    An FOI has revealed that Cambridgeshire councils have paid out millions over a 10-year period in incorrect Council Tax support and discount claimsCambridgeshire councils have paid out millions over 10 years in incorrect council tax support(Image: Nick Wilkinson)Councils in Cambridgeshire have paid out millions of pounds in incorrect council tax support and discount claims in the last 10 years, we can reveal. Freedom of Information requests submitted by CambridgeshireLive have shown just how much councils have paid out in incorrect claims over the last decade (between January 2016 and April 2026).Fenland District Council and East Cambridgeshire District Council have provided details on how much each council has paid out, as well as on prosecutions arising from the payouts.Over a 10-year period, Fenland District Council has paid out £3,028,108.64 in “fraud and error” payments, while East Cambridgeshire has paid out £2,013,762.89. Fenland paid out money in the following years:January 1, 2016 to March 31, 2016 – £12,562.04April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017 – £121,230.30April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018 – £205,105.60April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019 – £154,130.30April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020 – £233,522.20April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 – £176.170/20April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 – £150,802.40April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023 – £179.630.80April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2025 – £610,845.60April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025 – £594,007.90April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026 – £590,101.30From the money that FDC paid out over the 10 years, 10 people were prosecuted. These were:Three people between April 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017. One person was handed a six-month suspended sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 200 hours of community work. The council were unable to find the sentences for the two other individuals. These were all prosecuted in April 2016.Two people were prosecuted between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2020. One person was handed a £440 fine in July 2019, and another was handed a £833 fine in November 2019.Two people were prosecuted between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023. One person was handed a 12-month community order with 220 hours of unpaid work in November 2022. The other person was handed a conditional discharge for six months in March 2023.One person was prosecuted between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025. They were given a £392 fine in March 2025.Two people were prosecuted between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026. One person was given a £200 fine in March 2026, while the other was given a £1,723 fine in the same month.A FDC spokesperson said the amount of incorrect and false Council Tax Support claims and discounts that have been identified has “rapidly risen since the collaboration of partners as part of the Cambridgeshire Fraud Hub project”.The spokesperson added: “Fenland District Council, together with our partners at Cambridgeshire County Council, supported our Council Tax service partners Anglia Revenues Partnership to begin this work in Fenland in April 2023.“The work of Cambridgeshire Fraud Hub continues in Fenland and beyond to identify false and incorrect claims and discounts. This is vital to ensure resources are available to provide support to those who really need it and ensure those making an incorrect claim are identified.“People who claim Council Tax Support and Council Tax discounts must honestly declare several things to show they are eligible, which includes information about their income, whether children or adults live with them, any savings they have and other factors.“It’s vital, and incumbent on individuals, that if circumstances change, we are updated. This means anyone who qualifies for support can access it and get our help and those who no longer qualify can avoid risking a potentially large repayment bill or even a fine and criminal record.”East Cambridgeshire District Council has paid out money in the following years:January 1, 2016 to March 31, 2016 – £35,710.89April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017 – £87,484.04April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018 – £105,008.10April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019 – £165,746.54April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020 – £110,912.75April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 – £78,608.60April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 – £83,742.54April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023 – £90,761.34April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 – £496,582.97April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025 – £337,4764.85April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026 – £421,730.27Four people have been prosecuted over the last 10 years as a result of this. These were:One person between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022. They were handed an 18-month conditional discharge in August 2021.One person between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023. They were handed a 12-month community order and ordered to work 100 hours of unpaid work in November 2022.One person between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024. They were sentenced to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months in June 2023.One person between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025. They were handed a £200 fine in June 2024.A spokesperson for East Cambridgeshire District Council said: “The amount of incorrect and false Council Tax Support claims and discounts being identified has risen following a collaboration of partners as part of the Cambridgeshire Fraud Hub project.”East Cambridgeshire District Council, together with our partners at Cambridgeshire County Council and supported our Council Tax service partners Anglia Revenues Partnership began this work in April 2023. The aim of the project is to identify false and incorrect claims and discounts.”This is vital to ensure resources are available to provide support to those who really need it and ensure those making an incorrect claim are identified. People who claim Council Tax Support and Council Tax discounts must honestly declare several things to show they are eligible, which includes information about their income, whether children or adults live with them, any savings they have and other factors.”It’s vital, and incumbent on individuals, that if circumstances change, we are updated. This means anyone who qualifies for support can access it and get our help and those who no longer qualify can avoid risking a potentially large repayment bill or even a fine and criminal record.”South Cambridgeshire District Council provided information on how many prosecutions have been made due to incorrect Council Tax support and discount claims paid out.In total, 34 prosecutions were made. These were:2016 – one2017 – two2018 – seven2019 – six2020 – two2021 – one2022 – one2023 – zero2024 – two2025 – 12.South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Lead Cabinet Member for Resources, Councillor Natalie Warren-Green said: “Our priority is to be fair for all residents. Claiming a Council Tax discount or support without eligibility creates an unfair burden on others and diverts vital resources away from essential community services.”We encourage all residents to accurately report their circumstances so that Council Tax Support is awarded correctly. We are always happy to speak with anyone who has questions, to ensure they receive the support they are entitled to.”We proactively work to prevent Council Tax Support fraud through a combination of controls, awareness, and enforcement. This involves public awareness campaigns, encouraging residents to ‘Do the right thing’, which supports early reporting and prevention.”We will take appropriate enforcement action where deliberate fraud is identified – this is an important deterrent and demonstrates that misuse of public funds will not be tolerated. Together, these measures help ensure that public funds are protected and that support is provided fairly to those who genuinely need it.”Peterborough City Council said it has not paid out anything incorrect Council Tax support and discount claims, while Cambridge City Council has not provided an FOI response.