Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (Commissioner) David Allen, Community Beat Officer (CBO), PC Shona Pattinson and Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Clare Parker, met with local residents of Cockermouth and the surrounding area this week, to listen to their views and concerns on Cumbria Constabulary and Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service.
Between 1 April 2024 and 28 February 2025, in comparison with the same period the previous year, burglary has reduced by 23%, vehicle crime has reduced by 55%, public order offences has reduced by 34% and arson/criminal damage had reduced by 43% in Cockermouth and the surrounding area. Anti-social behaviour has also reduced in the area by 24%.
Commissioner David Allen said: “As part of my commitment to be an active, visible, and accessible Commissioner, I hold surgeries across Cumbria to hear your views and any concerns you may have about our police and fire services. I am happy to meet with and talk to individuals about any concerns that they have in respect of policing or the Fire & Rescue services.
“Surgeries are just one way I get out and about to listen to thoughts, concerns and ideas about our police and fire services. 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. I am also contactable via email (commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk) should anyone have anything they wish to raise with me. I do answer all queries raised personally.
“Having spent thirty years in policing and law enforcement, and then eight years in our local NHS, I stood as your PFCC because I want to make sure that the police are more visible in communities. The statistics for Cockermouth, provide clear evidence that providing accessible and visible neighbourhood policing is working well.
“Cockermouth has a dedicated CBO – PC Shona Pattinson and PCSO – Clare Parker who regularly engage with local schools to deliver safety talks and tackle local residents issues such as speeding complaints/anti-social driving and parking in the town.
“I look forward to meeting with more CBOs over the next few months and hearing how they combat crime and work with communities in Cumbria.”
“As demonstrated by the recently released Neighbourhood Policing Pledge (link here: Neighbourhood Policing Pledge | Cumbria Police) I am absolutely committed to the neighbourhood policing team (NPT) model and its local delivery, the NPT are the county’s local police problem solvers who work with local people to resolve local issues. I am also look forward to working on how the new staff arising out of the additional £1.7 million can be put into our county’s neighbourhood policing teams to deliver even better service and greater visibility.
“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 Pete Aiston from Allerdale Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Community Beat Officer Shona Pattinson and PCSO Claire Parker are your dedicated officers for the Cockermouth and surrounding areas and are always engaging with the local community.
“This engagement includes visits to schools, community groups and businesses to understand the issues being reported in the area and how we can work with our partners to take preventative measures to address the concerns.
“The impact of this can been seen in the reduction of issues such as anti-social behaviour and more.
“Across Allerdale, we have named officers and PCSOs which can be found on our website by searching your postcode or address, you can also find information about our public meetings and events.”
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.