Organisations across Cumbria are coming together this summer to keep town centres safe. The project, called Safer Streets Summer Initiative, introduced by the Home Office, launched today (Monday 30 June 2025) and runs for three months.
The initiative will be locally led by Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (Commissioner), David Allen, and 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.
The project aims to highlight the positive partnership work taking place over the summer to reduce anti-social behaviour (ASB), reduce and prevent crime and restore confidence in local services and will focus on Carlisle, Whitehaven, Workington, Kendal, Barrow-in-Furness, Penrith and Ulverston town centres.
Some of the work that will be promoted throughout the next three months include: the work of the Restorative Hope Workers; the benefits of the Commissioner’s Community Fund for local groups; partners’ use of fines, Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO), and use of Community Protection Notice; youth engagement activities and diversionary activities; work with local drug and alcohol treatment services; work with local businesses to tackle retail crime; tackling knife crime; and protection and prevention measures in place to protect those enjoying the county’s night-time economy.
Commissioner David Allen said: “Every summer, partners across Cumbria work together to keep our communities safe. This initiative provides us with the opportunity to promote all this positive work and highlights to residents that we are dedicated to keeping our town centres safe and welcoming for everyone.
“I always say that reducing ASB and crime is a community effort, and the work planned for over the summer really shows this and also shows the different paths we can take to do so: from diversionary activities for our young people to extra patrols during our night-time economy.
“I hope that over the next three months, the public take comfort in knowing the amount of work partners do to keep them as safe as possible and to provide our youth with opportunities to keep them away from criminality.”
Temporary Superintendent Annette McClement, Cumbria Constabulary said: “The summer months can be an incredibly busy time for our county, with large numbers of people visiting our area to attend events and experience all that Cumbria has to offer. Therefore, it is also one of the busier periods of the year for our policing teams.
“The Safer Streets Summer campaign will highlight the work we and our partner agencies do to keep people safe in town centres across our county.
“Our force is committed to providing visible and effective neighbourhood policing to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour.
“It is vital to have the trust and confidence of communities for us to carry out our work to keep people safe. A recent national crime survey placed ourselves as the leading force in the country for understanding residents’ concerns and highlighted the confidence people have for police in Cumbria dealing with issues that mattered to them.
“I would encourage everyone to follow our social media channels to find out more about the work we will do throughout the summer and updates on our activities.”
Cllr Justin McDermott, Cumberland Council Executive Member with responsibility for the Public Health and Communities portfolio, added: "I'm really pleased that we are able to take part in this initiative.
“Making sure that our streets and town centres are safe and welcoming for all residents and visitors, is a key priority for us, and this will only be achieved when partners work together in this way."
Policing Minister, Dame Diana Johnson said: "The Safer Streets Summer Initiative, as part of our Plan for Change, is putting neighbourhood policing back at the heart of our communities. Cumbria’s dedicated officers are now visible and accessible in town centres where they're needed most, tackling the issues that matter to local residents.
"I've seen firsthand how increased police presence makes people feel safer and deters crime. This isn't just about enforcement – it's about rebuilding trust between communities and the police who serve them.
“The government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee will ensure everyone, regardless of where they live, has a named and contactable local officer dedicated to tackling local issues such as antisocial behaviour, to make our streets safer.”
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.
Image L to R:
- Assistant Safer Communities Manager for Westmorland and Furness Council, Alison Goodfellow
- Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service’s Area Manager for Prevention and Protection Lauren Woodward
- Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen
- Temporary Chief Superintendent Annette McClement from Cumbria Constabulary
- Rachael Armstrong, Service Manager with Recovery Steps
- Lucy Read, Service Manager with Recovery Steps
- Chief Operating Officer Sophie Birkett with Cumbria Youth Alliance
- Harley Day, Community Engagement Officer with Remedi
- Christian, Restorative Hope Worker with Remedi
- Councillor Judith Derbyshire, Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety.