Three anti-social behaviour (ASB) hotspots in Carlisle have seen a reduction in ASB by 42.9% following extra police patrols in these areas as part of Operation Enhance.
The operation aims to tackle anti-social behaviour in hotspot areas across the county by placing extra patrols in 15 hotspot areas. David Allen, Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner secured £1 million of extra funding from the Government’s Hotspot Response Fund to fund Operation Enhance.
The 15 hotspots across the county were identified through Cumbria Constabulary analysing reporting data. Carlisle’s City and Botchergate were identified in 2024, and London Road was recently identified as a priority hotspot area in 2025. Between 1 August 2025 and 31 January 2026 compared to the same period in 2024/25, there have been 42 less reports of anti-social behaviour on these streets dropping from 98 reports to 56.
ASB isn’t the only crime type being reduced through extra patrols. Across the three hotspots, shoplifting has also seen a reduction in reports by 16.4% falling from 165 reports to 138.
Commissioner David Allen said: “Anti-social behaviour continues to drop in our hotspot areas thanks to extra police patrols across the county.
“A reduction of 42.9% is a huge success – as a Carlisle resident, I’m pleased to see that our city’s streets are getting safer.
“We, of course, still have instances of and occasional spikes in ASB in the city -– we saw it this weekend with young people causing issues in the city centre. Cumbria Constabulary quickly put a dispersal order in place, dealing with the situation quickly and effectively to reduce the risk of further anti-social behaviour taking place.
“Police presence has an effect on all different crime types. The drop in shoplifting reports is welcome. However, I know we’d all like to see this fall more.
“I’d encourage anyone that experiences any crime, from retail staff to individual members of the public, to report to the Police on 101 or 999. Every report is logged and helps build a clearer picture of what is happening and where. If you don’t report it, the police won’t be aware that there is an issue and therefore can’t help and cant target areas being affected.
“Please report to help keep Cumbria safe.”
Chief Superintendent Andy Wilkinson, Cumbria Constabulary, said: “It’s promising to see that Operation Enhance continues to have a positive impact on reducing anti-social behaviour and other offences in Carlisle city centre.
“This reduction does not distract from recent incidents of anti-social behaviour in the city centre which resulted in a dispersal order being authorised. Officers dispersed several young people with one person being taken home.
“Our Neighbourhood Policing Team alongside Operation Enhance continue to have a visible presence disrupting such behaviours as well as conducting preventative work within schools.
“We continue to ask for the communities support in reporting incidents of anti-social behaviour or other offences to us.”
If you wish to report to police you can do so online at Report a crime | Cumbria Police. You can also phone on 101. Always phone 999 in an emergency or if a crime is in progress. Alternatively, you could be entitled to up to £1,000 for giving information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.