Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (Commissioner), David Allen, visited Barrow-in-Furness, Walney and Barrow Island on Wednesday 25 June to see the positive impact of his Community Fund and listen to residents’ concerns.
Barrow Fire Station was the Commissioner’s first stop to see Cumbria Addictions Advice and Solutions (CADAS) deliver their junior citizenship scheme to young people at Barrow Fire Station. The training educates young people on how to deal with a range of situations they may find themselves in in their lives, in relation to alcohol, drugs, smoking and vaping. CADAS received £2,500 from the Commissioner to deliver these sessions in Barrow-in-Furness and Ulverston.
The Commissioner went on to hold two surgeries: one in Walney and Barrow Island and another in Ulverston. Issues raised included speeding and lack of speed camera vans, anti-social behaviour on bikes and shoplifting.
Commissioner David Allen said: “I’m passionate about getting out into communities across the county to ensure that residents can raise their concerns with me and that I have the opportunity to see the positive work of my Community Fund in action.
“Seeing so many young people engage with CADAS is brilliant and I hope it deters them from using drugs, vaping and being sensible with alcohol when they are legal age to drink. Not only do these have a massive impact on health but drugs and alcohol can be a lubricant for anti-social behaviour and criminality.
“I don’t want to see any of our young people getting involved in crime so anything I can do to assist with preventing them from doing so, I will do.
“That’s why my Community Fund is so important. It helps provide a boost to local organisations that want to see their young people succeed and see crime and ASB in their area reduce.
“We all want to see Cumbria at its best and events such as the Junior Citizenship Scheme help us take a step towards a better future.
“As Commissioner, my role is to be the voice of the public in policing and fire. I want to thank everyone that came along to the surgeries in Walney and Barrow Island and Ulverston to raise their concerns with me.
“I take all these concerns back to the Chief Constable and Chief Fire Officer to ensure any improvements that can be made, are made.
“If you weren’t able to attend a surgery but would still like to raise a concern, please contact me at 01768 217734 or at commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk.”
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.