Keeping Peterborough city centre safe, welcoming and vibrant takes teamwork, dedication and a strong presence on the ground.
Terry is one of our City Centre Enforcement Officers and has spent several years working to support residents, businesses and visitors across the city. As part of the recently launched City Impact Team, his role has evolved even further, bringing together enforcement, community safety and partnership working to tackle issues quickly and effectively.
No two days are ever the same. One moment Terry may be helping a visitor find their way around the city, and the next he could be responding to anti-social behaviour, assisting someone experiencing homelessness or working alongside police officers on a community safety issue.
We joined Terry for a typical day on patrol to find out more:
08:00 - Starting the Day
Terry begins his shift by logging on to the City Impact Team's communication systems and attending the daily operational briefing.
Each morning, the team reviews intelligence gathered from council services, local businesses, partner agencies, residents and fellow officers. This helps identify emerging issues, known hotspots and locations requiring extra attention throughout the day.
"The morning briefing is really important," explains Terry. "It means everyone starts the day with the same information and can focus resources where they're needed most."
The City's intelligence-led approach ensures officers are deployed where they can have the greatest impact.
08:30 - Littering Enforcement
Minutes into his patrol, Terry witnesses an individual dropping a cigarette end on the pavement and walking away.
"Our approach is always to educate first," Terry explains. "When people understand why these rules are in place and the difference they make to the local environment, most respond positively. However, where offences occur, we have a responsibility to take appropriate action to help keep our city centre clean and welcoming for everyone."
Maintaining a clean, safe, and attractive city centre remains one of the City Impact Team's key priorities, supporting a positive environment for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
09:15 - Meeting Partner Agencies
Partnership working forms a major part of every day.
Terry regularly meets with organisations including:
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Cambridgeshire Constabulary
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Rough Sleeper Outreach Teams
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Aragon Direct Services
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Peterborough Positive BID
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Council Licensing Officers
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Local businesses and retailers
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Community safety partners
These conversations allow information to be shared quickly and help ensure agencies can coordinate responses to issues affecting the city centre.
"We can speak with several partner organisations every day," Terry explains. "Everyone sees different things on the ground, so sharing that information is essential."
10:00 - Helping a Visitor
While patrolling Cathedral Square, Terry is approached by a visitor looking for directions.
Although enforcement is an important part of the role, many interactions involve simply helping people.
"We probably spend as much time helping residents and visitors as we do enforcing," he says. "People often ask for directions, information about services, or assistance if they're unsure where to go."
The highly visible presence of enforcement officers provides reassurance and a friendly point of contact for people visiting the city centre.
11:00 - Dangerous Cycling Enforcement
Later in the morning, Terry observes a delivery rider travelling at speed along Bridge Street on an e-bike in a busy pedestrian area.
After stopping the rider and explaining the risks their behaviour poses to pedestrians, enforcement action is taken.
"Our city centre belongs to everyone," Terry says. "We have to balance the needs of businesses, delivery services, shoppers and visitors while ensuring people can move around safely."
Addressing dangerous cycling and illegal riding remains a concern frequently raised by residents and businesses.
12:30 - Supporting Local Businesses
During his patrol, Terry stops to speak with a market trader who requires assistance with a local issue.
Building positive relationships with traders and businesses is an important part of the role. Regular contact helps officers understand emerging concerns and ensures businesses know who to contact when problems arise.
"The businesses are our eyes and ears," says Terry. "They can often spot issues before anyone else."
13:30 - Sharing Intelligence
Throughout the day, information continues to flow between teams.
Terry meets with local police officers to discuss recent intelligence and ongoing concerns affecting parts of the city centre.
Since the launch of the City Impact Team, communication between services has significantly improved.
"We're much more connected now," he explains. "We work closely with the street cleaning team, outreach workers, licensing officers and graffiti removal teams."
A dedicated communication network allows officers and partner agencies to share real-time information from the streets.
"If an outreach worker spots fly-tipping, they can report it immediately. If we find someone in need of support, we can quickly alert the right service. That joined-up approach makes a huge difference."
14:30 - Helping Someone Experiencing Homelessness
One of the most rewarding parts of Terry's role comes when he encounters someone who is new to Peterborough and sleeping rough.
Rather than simply moving the individual on, Terry spends time understanding their circumstances and identifying appropriate support.
He provides information about local services, including the Garden House facility operated by the Light Project, and signposts them to locations where free meals and additional support are available.
"As enforcement officers, helping vulnerable people is a significant part of our job," Terry explains. "Many people don't realise how much time we spend supporting individuals who need help."
15:15 - Providing First Aid
Shortly afterwards, Terry responds to a person requiring medical assistance.
All City Centre Enforcement Officers are trained in first aid and regularly assist members of the public experiencing medical emergencies, mental health crises or personal difficulties.
"Sometimes people just need someone to help and reassure them until further support arrives," says Terry.
These situations highlight the diverse nature of the role and the importance of maintaining a visible presence within the city centre.
More Than Enforcement
While many people associate enforcement officers with issuing fines, the reality is much broader.
A significant part of the role involves supporting some of the city's most vulnerable residents, including people experiencing:
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Homelessness
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Mental health challenges
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Substance dependency issues
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Personal crises
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Welfare concerns
Officers regularly work alongside support services to ensure people access the help they need.
"Our first priority is often welfare," Terry explains. "We want to make sure people are safe and connected to the right organisations that can provide longer-term support."
Educate, Advise and Enforce
City Centre Enforcement Officers have different powers from the police, but they work professionally, fairly and robustly within those powers.
The team's approach follows a clear principle: Educate. Advise. Encourage. Enforce.
Whenever possible, officers seek to achieve compliance through engagement and education. However, where offences are committed, including breaches of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs), appropriate enforcement action will be taken.
"Our goal isn't to issue fines," says Terry. "Our goal is to change behaviour, improve the environment and make the city centre a better place for everyone."
Making a Difference Every Day
For Terry and his colleagues, no two days are ever the same.
Whether they're helping a vulnerable individual, supporting local businesses, sharing intelligence with partners, responding to anti-social behaviour or simply providing directions to a visitor, every interaction contributes towards a cleaner, safer and more welcoming city centre.
"The best part of the job is knowing you've made a difference," Terry says. "We're here to help people, support the community and make Peterborough a place everyone can be proud of."
Need Our Help?
If you see an issue in the city centre, you can report it online Report a problem
The City Impact Team is here to help keep Peterborough city centre clean, safe and welcoming for everyone. If you see us on patrol, please come and say hello.