Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (Commissioner), David Allen, visited Millom on Thursday 3 April 2025 to patrol with Police, meet with local people to discuss concerns and witness first-hand the benefits his Community Fund is making locally.
The Commissioner met with Community Beat Officer (CBO) PC Matthew Garrett and Sergeant David MacDonald to patrol around the town and hear more about the work being done in Millom to reduce anti-social behaviour (ASB) and local crime.
Between the dates 1 April 2024 – 14 March 2025, anti-social behaviour has reduced by 64.1% compared to the same period last year, with 20 fewer incidents occurring.
Over the same period, Violence against the person has decreased by 10.7% (16 fewer offences) and Theft offences have decreased by 8.3% (3 fewer offences).
Following the walkabout, the Commissioner hosted a public surgery in Millom library for residents to raise their concerns around policing and fire in the local area. Concerns raised included speeding, dangerous driving, more visible policing and issues with non-emergency reporting.
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “Neighbourhood policing is vital to ensuring that our communities are kept safe and the issues that matter most to them are dealt with swiftly.
“Going out on patrol with Community Beat Officer Matthew Garrett and Sergeant David MacDonald provided me with the opportunity to hear more about the local issues for Millom and how Cumbria Constabulary are pro-actively reducing crime in the town and surrounding areas.
“Millom is one of our more rural and isolated communities, so it was incredibly important that I visit and assure residents that we are invested in hearing their views, tackling crime and keeping them safe. .
“My day in Millom also enabled me to call into a couple of the successful applicants from our Community Fund. One of the aims of this Fund is to enable me to support local groups and charities in providing vital diversionary activities for young people.
“I recently awarded Black Combe Junior School £2,320 to support volunteers and provide new equipment to run their ‘Make It’ after school clubs for 40 pupils. Whilst there it was great to meet with some of the pupils, staff and volunteers and join in with their engineering project activities.
“Following on from this visit, I called into a well-attended training session at Millom Rugby Club. The new equipment funded by our Community Fund will make a big difference to training and help with creating a proper pitch with posts for the junior teams. I would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone at the club for making us all feel so welcome. I hadn’t realised the club was the oldest Rugby League Club in the world. A great legacy and one I am happy to support via my Community Fund.
“I’ll be continuing to hold public surgeries around the county and I genuinely look forward to meeting with as many people as possible, so please keep an eye on social media for any upcoming dates and locations. I want to hear from you, so please come along and have a chat – I am here to represent you so use me as your voice in policing and fire.
“As your Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner, my role is to be the voice of residents within Cumbria, in respect of the Police and Fire services – I am your voice. If any member of the public has a concern about crime in their area, or around the Constabulary or Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, please raise it with me at commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk or call 01768 217734.”
Sergeant Dave Macdonald from Copeland Neighbourhood Policing Team said “The Community Beat Officer for Millom, Matthew Garett, is dedicated to the area and will continue to address the issues raised following the public surgery. He will be joined in mid-April by an additional Community Beat Officer, PC Emily Tyson and both will work towards local priorities.
“Although incidents have reduced in areas, we are not complacent and are looking to prevent and tackle local issues.
“We have been targeting speeding and dangerous driving in the area with speed checks and high visibility patrols being carried out in identified areas. We have also seized a number of vehicles from offenders in recent weeks.
“Visit our website - Millom and South Copeland| Your Area | Cumbria Constabulary | Cumbria Police to see your local team, events and our priorities. You can also find reporting information on our website.”