[C]umbria Constabulary has changed the way it manages its area policing teams.
As of this week (w/c Sept 4th) the north, west and south of the county each have two district neighbourhood policing teams, rather than one.
Each ‘neighbourhood’ – South Lakes, Barrow, Copeland, Allerdale, Eden and Carlisle – now has its own dedicated neighbourhood inspector, allowing us to focus more on neighbourhood issues and problems.
Previously the role has been managed by inspectors who have responsibility for a wider area geographically, as well as for the patrol side of policing.
In total, this provides six additional inspectors across the county. Four of these have been funded by the Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, and two by the Constabulary.
Chief Superintendent Andy Towler said: “We understand how much members of the public value neighbourhood policing and these changes allow us to focus more on neighbourhood issues.
“Our dedicated neighbourhood inspectors now have their working patterns better aligned with those of our partners, meaning that they, along with problem solving sergeants, officers and PCSOs, can work with other agencies to tackle these issues together.
“These changes have been implemented following consultation with our officers and we believe the new model will offer an even better policing service to the people of Cumbria.”
Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall said: “I am very aware how important neighbourhood policing is to the public and for this reason I have found funding for four of the new neighbourhood inspector posts, and I welcome these changes to our neighbourhood policing teams. I know from the people that I meet and talk to, that many see neighbourhood policing a key factor in keeping their communities safe.
“I am determined that we must bear down on local issues including anti-social behaviour which can make life miserable for the law abiding majority and I expect that the additional inspectors will bring focus on these issues and will really make a difference to people locally. It is important to stress that many of the local issues require a multi-agency approach and we must all work together, including the public, to make it clear that we won’t tolerate anti-social behaviour in our communities, it is unacceptable and together with the police and partners we will address it.”
