Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (Commissioner), David Allen, and Community Beat Officer (CBO), PC Jill Robertson, met with local residents of Workington and the surrounding area last week, to listen to their views and concerns on Cumbria Constabulary and Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service.
From 1 April 2024 – 14 March 2025, anti-social behaviour has reduced by 35% (a decrease from 379 to 245 reported incidents), in comparison with the same period the previous year, in the Workington and the surrounding areas. For the same time period robbery has reduced by 30% (a decrease from 13 to 9 reported incidents), public order offences have reduced by 19% (a decrease from 361 to 303 reported incidents) and arson and criminal damage has reduced by 14% (a decrease from 384 to 329 reported incidents).
Some of the issues raised at the Workington public surgery included stalking, harassment, drugs use in the town and dangerous driving
Talking about his visit, Commissioner David Allen said: “As part of my commitment to be an active, visible, and accessible Commissioner, I hold surgeries across our county to hear your views and any concerns you may have about our police and fire services. I act on all of the issues raised with me and do my utmost to help those who come to me for help and advice. I also regularly go out on patrol with our local neighbourhood policing teams and see the work they do to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.
“The evidence is clear to see - a 35% reduction in anti-social behaviour over the last year, speaks volumes. Proactive and visible policing in our communities works and we continue to urge members of the public to work with the Police and report any issues or concerns they have around crime and anti-social behaviour.
“The additional patrols, as part of Operation Enhance, have helped to make a big difference also. Robbery has fallen by 30%, Public Order Offences by 19% and Criminal Damage Offences by 14%. Also, over the last 12-months in the Workington area, there has been an additional 27 incidents for the possession of cannabis offences - an increase at least in part, due to the greater number of proactive stop and searches and Police patrols in hotspot areas.
“This was my 24th surgery that I’ve held since being elected last year and I’ve tried to visit as many communities as possible in that time. However, you don’t have to wait for me to come to your area, you can email me on: commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk with any queries, they will be picked up.
“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.”
Inspector Steven Waddell from Allerdale Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Our Community Beat Officers and PCSOs continue to target issues important to our communities.
“Although it’s always positive to see a decrease in offences, we are not complacent.
“We continue to engage with local businesses and the community to understand the local issues and how we and our partners can target them.
We will take those issues raised in the surgery and look at how we can address the issues of stalking, harassment, drugs use in the town and dangerous driving.
“Visit our website – Allerdale | Cumbria Police to see your local team, events and our priorities. You can also find reporting information on our website.”