Two months into the Home Office’s Safer Streets Summer Initiative, organisations across the county are continuing to keep our town centres safe. The project aims to raise the positive work taking place to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB), reduce and prevent crime and restore confidence in local services.
Led by Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (Commissioner), David Allen, the three-month initiative includes partners such as Cumbria Constabulary, Cumberland Council, Westmorland and Furness Council, Public Health, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, Remedi, The Well Communities and Cumbria Youth Alliance.
Cumbria Police launched Operation Colossus in early August to tackle anti-social and dangerous driving. Across four days of action in Kendal, Whitehaven and Carlisle, 174 vehicles were stopped, eight vehicles were seized, and five drug driving arrests were made.
On the 28 August in Penrith as part of Operation Spotlight, Cumbria Constabulary, Cumbria Fire and Rescue, Trading Standards and Immigration Enforcement Officers carried out enforcement checks. Six people were arrested: three for immigration offences, one for drugs offences and two under the Modern Slavery Act. Trading Standards seized illegal vapes and tobacco from two locations, while immigration enforcement issued two civil penalty referral notices to businesses suspected of employing illegal workers.
To provide positive, diversionary activities to young people to reduce anti-social behaviour, the Commissioner awarded £2480 to three centres across Cumbria through his Community Fund. The centres were Harraby Community Centre (Carlisle), Cleator Moor Activity Centre and Workington Sports Centre (Workington). The funding was used to support free sports activities and coaching during the school holidays. Over the 28 days, 56 hours of sport were delivered with 77 young people on average attending per week.
Throughout the summer holidays, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Youth Justice and Prevention Service worked with 18 young people to provide diversionary activities reducing anti-social behaviour and potential criminality. As part of the Summer Activity Plan, the young people attended an Italian Cook Off session, took part in a fell walk along Whitbarrow Scar and a reparation session at Ragtag Arts and Community Scrap Store in Kendal. The young people also took part in three workshops to understand the impact of ASB, develop coping strategies for stressful situations and learn positive communication techniques.
Cumberland Council’s Enforcement Team continued to tackle anti-social behaviour and street begging. The Team engaged with several known individuals who regularly beg in Carlisle. Referrals were made to the appropriate support services to ensure these individuals could receive help. The multi-agency welfare hubs continue to provide support in Carlisle on Saturday nights. The welfare hubs provide a safe space for people to seek support, advice or a place of safety, especially in early hours of the morning.
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “Year-round, partners across Cumbria work together to keep our residents safe and our town centres welcoming.
“The Safer Streets Summer Initiative provides us with the opportunity to highlight some of this positive work to reassure the public that we are looking out for them.
“I’m pleased to share more examples of the work being done – I hope that residents do see a difference in their local town centre.
“Prevention is key which is why I’m pleased to use my Community Fund to provide money to local organisations who aim to reduce ASB in Cumbria. My Property Fund is currently open for applications, so anyone looking to apply for funding can find more information on my website: www.cumbria-pfcc.gov.uk.”
Temporary Superintendent Annette McClement, Cumbria Constabulary, said: “This summer has been exceptionally busy for our workforce, who have worked tirelessly alongside partner agencies across Cumbria to deliver a wide range of initiatives focused on public safety.
“Just last month, Cumbria Constabulary was recognised as the leading police force in England and Wales across most categories of a national survey measuring public perceptions of crime and anti-social behaviour.
“While we are proud of this achievement, we remain vigilant and committed to maintaining visible, proactive neighbourhood policing that prevents crime and tackles anti-social behaviour head-on.”
Councillor Judith Derbyshire, Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety, said: “It’s good to see the difference this initiative and the collaborative work with our partners is achieving.
“Our Trading Standards team has seized illegal vapes and tobacco, which not only undermine local businesses but put people’s health at significant risk, particularly young people who these are being sold to.
“Meanwhile our Youth Justice and Prevention Service has run workshops and activities with young people helping them to better understand the impact of ASB and make positive choices.
“By working closely with Cumbria Police and partners, we’re able to take swift action, tackle anti-social behaviour and support safer communities for everyone.”
Justin McDermott, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Public Health and Communities, said: “We’ve made great progress over the past two months, and it’s thanks to the strength of our partnerships across Cumbria.
“Safety is the bedrock of our communities, and initiatives like Safer Streets show what’s possible when we work together.
“Cumberland Council remains committed to tackling antisocial behaviour and crime head-on, and we’ll continue to do more to ensure our town centres are places where everyone feels safe, supported and proud to belong."