Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (Commissioner), David Allen, and Community Beat Officer (CBO), PC Adam Zegveldt, visited Longtown to speak to the public about their concerns around Policing and Fire.
The public surgery was held in the Longtown library to provide local residents with the opportunity to raise any concerns and/or questions about local policing and fire.
Following the surgery, the Commissioner and CBO went on patrol in the town discussing local crime issues. Between 01.04.24 – 18.02.25, in the Longtown and Borders area, anti-social behaviour has remained consistent with 41 incidents being reported to Cumbria Constabulary compared to the same period in the previous year. Cumbria Constabulary are pro-actively working to reduce ASB in Longtown as PC Zegveldt is working with the council to move a shelter from Moor Road to the bike track behind the Lochinvar Centre in an aim to reduce anti-social behaviour on the busy street. Lochinvar Close has also been experiencing bouts of ASB, so the local Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) have been conducting hotspot policing patrols in vehicles and on foot to reduce the high-risk ASB taking place.
Road Safety is also a key concern for residents. Cumbria Constabulary are proactively targeting drug drivers in the Longtown area with a rise in arrests in rural communities. The NPT are also working closely with the Roads Policing Unit to reduce speeding on the AS071 at Smithfield.
Speaking on the visit, Commissioner David Allen, said: “One of my key priorities for Cumbria is increasing police visibility and boosting neighbourhood policing. Neighbourhood Policing Teams, including Community Beat Officers are integral in keeping our communities safe. I was pleased to meet with PC Zegveldt and hear about the positive work he is doing in the town to reduce ASB, which is the concern that is mainly raised with me by residents.
“As Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, my role is to be the voice of residents – your voice – in policing and fire.
“One of the ways I am ensuring that your concerns are heard is by hosting local surgeries across the county. I want to thank those who attended my Longtown surgery today – I have already set in motion the actions agreed.
“Any resident that couldn’t attend the surgery today but has a concern they would like to raise, please contact me at commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk or at 01768 217734 – only by knowing the issue can I help resolve it. I am your voice – please use me, I am here to represent you.”
Sergeant Grant Stevens from Carlisle Neighbourhood Policing Team said “Anti-social behaviour is a priority for the area with Community Beat Officer PC Adam Zegveldt, the wider Neighbourhood Policing Team and partners addressing areas identified as hotspots, such as moving a shelter where young people hand around.
“Officers have also been engaging with the community to understand the issue.
“We have also been working with the Roads Policing Unit to address road safety concerns raised to us by the community, which we have seen vehicles uplifted and people arrested for drug driving.
“We continue to ask our communities to report incidents to us, so we can address any issues along with our partners.”
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.