The constabulary also has an exemplary record when it comes to the investigation of major crime. Since the inception of the Major Investigation Team in 2004, it has achieved an 87% detection rate(1) in relation to all homicides. A number of the investigations have had a regional, national and international implication to them. The constabulary has been recognised for the high quality of family liaison it provides to the families of victims. Only recently a Cambridgeshire officer was given a national award for the support she provided to the mother of young man killed in the London bombings.

Every effort is made to ensure that victims of crime and their families are provided with a seamless end-to-end service which keeps them informed at every stage of an investigation and which consults them about their preferred outcome.

The service is also getting to grips with difficult issues within the community which were previously hidden. A good example of this is effort to tackle honour-based violence (HBV). Since setting up an HBV choice hotline - which is a 24/7 service - the force has received hundreds of enquiries, many of which have developed into live investigations. As a consequence dozens of people who would otherwise have had nowhere to turn have received help, support and justice.

• (1) Sanction Detections - the number of offenders brought to justice (cases resulting in charge, summons, caution, reprimand, where the offence has been taken into consideration or where a fixed penalty notice or formal warning for cannabis has been issued.)