Learn about coercive control – a special episode of the Neighbourhood Watch podcast with Ruth Dodsworth OBE

Families affected by domestic abuse often live with it for a long time before getting help. On average, people assessed as high risk experience it for nearly two and a half years before receiving support. It is vital that we understand why leaving or speaking out can be so difficult, so that we can support vulnerable people more effectively.

To many people, Ruth Dodsworth appeared to have it all: a successful television career, a loving family and a long-term relationship. But behind the scenes, she was living what she later described as a “double life”. It took years for Ruth to recognise the abuse she was experiencing and to find a way out.

In 2019, her former husband, Jonathan Wignall, was jailed for coercive and controlling behaviour and stalking. Since then, Ruth has become a powerful advocate for victims and survivors of domestic abuse, receiving an OBE in 2025 for her services to the cause.

We are incredibly grateful to Ruth for sharing her story on our podcast. It is a sensitive and, at times, challenging conversation, but it is also insightful, powerful and ultimately hopeful. By listening, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of coercive control, why people can become trapped in abusive relationships, and what support can make a difference.

Listen to the episode here.

Need help or support?

If you are in immediate danger, call 999.

You do not need to wait until a situation becomes an emergency to seek help. If you are experiencing domestic abuse, tell someone you trust, such as your GP, a friend, family member or support organisation.

You can find information about domestic abuse and available support services on GOV.UK.

Other sources of support

·  Women: The National Domestic Abuse Helpline (run by Refuge) is available 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247.

·  Women: Email ku.gr1786733719o.dia1786733719snemo1786733719w@eni1786733719lpleh1786733719 for confidential support.

·  Men: Contact the Men’s Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 or access its online webchat service.

·  Men: Call ManKind on 01823 334244.

·  LGBT+ people: Contact Galop on 0800 999 5428 or email ku.gr1786733719o.pol1786733719ag@pl1786733719eh1786733719.

·  Forced marriage or so-called honour-based abuse: Contact Karma Nirvana on 0800 5999 247 or the Forced Marriage Unit on 020 7008 0151.

Some pharmacies and banks provide safe spaces in their consultation rooms for people experiencing domestic abuse. Find out about Safe Space locations near you.

The Survivor’s Handbook from the charity Women’s Aid is free and provides information for women on a wide range of issues, such as housing, money, helping your children and your legal rights.

If you’re worried you are behaving abusively in your relationship, call the free Respect Phoneline on 0808 802 4040.

What is coercive control?

Coercive control is defined as “an intentional pattern of behaviour which takes place over time, in order for one individual to exert power, control or coercion over another” (Home Office, 2023).

Domestic abuse is not always physical. Coercive control can create an invisible prison of fear, isolation and dependency that affects every aspect of a person’s life. It restricts freedom, undermines confidence and can make it extremely difficult to leave.

Worried someone will know you saw this? If you’re worried someone might see you have visited this page, the Women’s Aid website tells you how to cover your tracks online.

If you have hearing loss, there is a transcript of the podcast on our website.

Dear all,

Please see the below news release regarding the launch of the final consultation on the Proposed Submission Greater Cambridge Local Plan consultation. The consultation is the last opportunity for communities to comment on the Plan before it is submitted to Government and examined by an independent Planning Inspector.

Overview

• The eight-week consultation on the Proposed Greater Cambridge Local Plan opens today (Monday 3 August 2026) and runs until 5pm on Friday 25 September 2026.
• Unlike earlier consultations, this final stage is more narrowly focused on whether the Plan is “sound” and meets national planning requirements. Responses will therefore need to focus on whether the Plan is justified by the evidence, effective in achieving its objectives, deliverable and consistent with national planning policy.

How to Take Part

• Visit our website: www.greatercambridgeplanning.org/local-plan
• Paper copies of the Local Plan are available at the councils’ offices in Cambridge and Cambourne and at Cambridge Central and Cambourne libraries.
• A programme of in-person and online events will run during the consultation, starting with an online webinar on Tuesday (4 August) at 5:30pm which you can register to attend now.

Action for Councillors

• Please help raise awareness of the consultation in your communities.
• Encourage residents, businesses, and local groups to take part and share their views.

News release

 

This is a joint release on behalf of Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council, which share the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service.   

 

Monday 3 August 2026

 

Final chance to share views on Greater Cambridge Local Plan

Residents, businesses and organisations are being urged to share their views on the “soundness” of the Greater Cambridge Local Plan – during the final round of consultation which opens today.

The consultation is the last opportunity for communities to comment on the Plan – which at this stage is called the Proposed Submission version – and its evidence base. After this stage, the Plan will be submitted to Government and examined by an independent Planning Inspector.

The Greater Cambridge Local Plan will help determine how Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire grow over the next 20 years, influencing where new homes, jobs and community facilities are located, how development supports climate goals, and how infrastructure keeps pace with growth.

Current forecasts indicate that around 50,000 new homes will be needed between 2024 and 2045. Around 37,000 of these homes are already planned through existing permissions and allocations, but future growth must be carefully managed to ensure communities have the transport links, services, green spaces and utilities they need.

The Plan has been developed jointly by Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council – shaped by years of public engagement. Over 8,400 comments submitted during the most recent consultation prompted further work by officers and helped refine the policies and proposals across the Plan. As a result, a number of changes from the previous plan published late last year have been made in the version now being consulted upon.

The updated Plan also reflects the ongoing work to address some of Greater Cambridge’s most significant challenges, including housing demand, water supply constraints, transport infrastructure and future employment needs.

Unlike earlier consultations, this final stage is more narrowly focused on whether the Plan is “sound” and meets national planning requirements. Responses will therefore need to focus on whether the Plan is justified by the evidence, effective in achieving its objectives, deliverable and consistent with national planning policy.

Get involved

Lots of engagement events will take place during the consultation, giving people the opportunity to find out more and ask questions. The first of these is an online webinar on Tuesday (4 August) at 5:30pm and you can register to attend now. There will also be a series of 14 in-person exhibitions held across Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire.

To view the Plan, submit comments and find details of the events, visit www.greatercambridgeplanning.org/local-plan

Paper copies of the Local Plan are available at the councils’ offices in Cambridge and Cambourne and at Cambridge Central and Cambourne libraries.

Cambridge City Council’s Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategy, Planning and External Partnerships, Cllr Katie Thornburrow, said: “Greater Cambridge faces significant challenges, from meeting housing needs and supporting a growing economy to tackling climate change and ensuring the right infrastructure is in place. This Plan sets out a long-term vision for sustainable growth that balances new homes and jobs with the services, transport connections and green spaces communities need. The Plan will also provide the starting point for decision making on planning applications by the Council and the Government’s newly established Greater Cambridge Development Corporation. We therefore encourage everyone to have their say in this final consultation.”

Cllr Henry Batchelor, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Lead Cabinet Member for Planning, said: “The Greater Cambridge Local Plan will shape how our communities grow and thrive for decades to come, which is why it is so important that people take part in this final consultation. Thousands of residents, businesses and organisations have already helped us develop and then refine the Plan. Now, at this stage of the process, we are asking people to comment on the soundness of the Plan. This is a technical term which asks whether you think the Plan has been positively prepared, and if it is justified, effective and consistent with national policy. This will be the last opportunity to share your views before the Plan is submitted for independent examination.”

The consultation closes on Friday 25 September 2026.

Ends

 The following events will be held by Greater Cambridge Shared Planning to help local people get involved with the consultation. Your support in raising awareness of these events would be hugely appreciated.

 

Day	Date	Time	Event description	Registration link
Tuesday	4 August	5:30pm-6:30pm	Online webinar	Register to attend here
Monday	17 August	4pm-7:30pm	Cathodeon Centre, Horseheath Rd, Linton, CB21 4LU	Register to attend here
Tuesday	1 September	2pm-4pm	Arbury Community Centre, Campkin Rd, Cambridge, CB4 2LD	Register to attend here
Tuesday	1 September	4pm-7:30pm	Whittlesford Memorial Hall, Mill Ln, Whittlesford, CB22 4NE	Register to attend here
Wednesday	2 September	4pm-7pm	Marleigh Community Centre, The Hangar Building, 2 Jubilee Square, Cambridge, CB5 8BX	Register to attend here
Wednesday	2 September	4pm-7:30pm	Papworth Village Hall, Ermine St South, Papworth Everard, CB23 3RD	Register to attend here
Thursday	3 September	2pm-4pm	Gamlingay EcoHub, Stocks Lane, Gamlingay, SG19 3JR	Register to attend here
Thursday	3 September	4pm-7.30pm	Great Abington Primary School, 68 High Street, Great Abington, CB21 6AE	Register to attend here
Friday	4 September	4pm-7.30pm	The Old School Hall, St Barnabas Centre, Mill Rd, Cambridge, CB1 2BD	Register to attend here
Monday	7 September	4pm-7.30pm	Melbourn Hub, 30 High Street, Melbourn, SG8 6DZ	Register to attend here
Monday	7 September	3:30pm-6pm	Bar Hill Village Hall, The Spinney, Bar Hill, CB23 8SU	Register to attend here
Tuesday	8 September	4pm-7.30pm	The Salvation Army, 7 Station Road, Waterbeach, CB25 9HT	Register to attend here
Wednesday	9 September	4:15pm-7pm	Nightingale Pavilion, Nightingale Ave, Cambridge, CB1 8SQ	Register to attend here
Wednesday	9 September	4pm-7pm	Great Cambourne Cricket Pavilion, Back Lane, Great Cambourne, CB23 6DZ	Register to attend here
Friday	11 September	10am-5pm	The Cambridge Room, Grafton Centre, Fitzroy Street, Cambridge, CB1 1PS	Register to attend here

 

Greater Cambridge Shared Planning is a partnership between South Cambridgeshire District and Cambridge City Councils.

For further information contact:

• Communications Support Officer – Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Lauryn Snow on gro.g1786733719ninna1786733719lpegd1786733719irbma1786733719creta1786733719erg@w1786733719ons.n1786733719yrual1786733719 or
• The South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Communications Team on ku.vo1786733719g.sbm1786733719acs@s1786733719noita1786733719cinum1786733719moc1786733719 or 01954 713 025 or
• The Cambridge City Council Communications Team, email: ku.vo1786733719g.egd1786733719irbma1786733719c@sno1786733719itaci1786733719nummo1786733719c1786733719 or tel: 01223 457290.
• Or the political contacts below:

 

South Cambridgeshire District Council:

Cllr Henry Batchelor (Liberal Democrat), Lead Cabinet Member for Planning on 07973 549541 or ku.vo1786733719g.sbm1786733719acS@r1786733719olehc1786733719taB.r1786733719llC1786733719

Cllr Heather Williams (Conservative) on 07885 774775 or ku.vo1786733719g.sbm1786733719acS@H1786733719smail1786733719liW.r1786733719llC1786733719

 

Cambridge City Council:

Cllr Katie Thornburrow (Labour), Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Strategy, Planning and External Partnerships, email: ku.vo1786733719g.egd1786733719irbma1786733719c@wor1786733719rubnr1786733719oht.e1786733719itak1786733719 or 07480 246939

Cllr Kathryn Fisher (Green), ku.vo1786733719g.egd1786733719irbma1786733719c@reh1786733719sif.n1786733719yrhta1786733719k1786733719 or 07562 578721

Cllr Katie Porrer (Liberal Democrat), email ku.vo1786733719g.egd1786733719irbma1786733719c@rer1786733719rop.e1786733719itak1786733719 or 07971 012797

 

Reminder that Cambridge Water has imposed a hosepipe ban which becomes enforceable from 1:00 am 17 July 2026.

We want to take a moment to reaffirm our commitment to tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) in your community as part of Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week, taking place from 29 June to 5 July.

We know that anti-social behaviour can have a real impact on people’s day-to-day lives – from noise and nuisance through to more persistent and harmful activity. Everyone deserves to feel safe and comfortable where they live.

Each week your local neighbourhood policing teams are in their communities carrying out targeted patrols, listening to your concerns and working closely with partners to address the issues that matter most to you.

We continue to work alongside local authorities, housing providers and community organisations to prevent ASB, support those affected and take action against those responsible. Where necessary, we will use a range of powers such as Criminal Behaviour Orders, closure orders and Community Protection Notices.

 

How you can help

Information from residents is vital. Reporting incidents helps us build a clear picture of what’s happening locally, identify hotspots and take the most effective action.

If you experience or witness anti-social behaviour, please report it:

• Online via the Cambridgeshire Constabulary website
• By calling 101
• Always call 999 in an emergency

 

By letting us know what’s happening in your area, you are helping us – and our partners – put the right measures in place to make your community safer.

 

Thank you for your continued support.