Extra patrols were deployed during a week of action to hotspot areas while officers out-and-about targeted known offenders, all with the aim of emphasising the message “violence will not be tolerated”.
Cumbria remains one of the safest areas in the country to live, work and visit.
But officers are not complacent – and know violent crime can have a devastating impact on the victims involved.
The operation, run from Monday 11th and finished Sunday 17th March which saw officers targeting violent offenders or those who were suspected of being in possession of weapons. This included undertaking high visibility patrols, intelligence led stop searches and search warrants. Officers also targeted those using violence to carry out serious organised crime.
55 people were arrested on suspicion of a range of offences and the recovery of weapons including air rifles, knives, a taser and a Samurai sword from some of those suspects.
Superintendent Matt Pearman led the week of action.
He said: “This week has seen a significant number of arrests made and a number of people now face prosecution, providing justice for the victims in each case.
“Cumbria is fortunate not to see the levels of serious violence reported elsewhere in the country, which has featured extensively in the media in recent weeks.
“But we know every case is important to the victims involved and we take violent crime extremely seriously.
“This has not just been about responding to incidents of violence but about actively targeting those in our communities who commit violent offences, carry weapons or who are perpetrators of domestic abuse.
“As we always do when out-and-about in the community, officers have been talking to the public, offering reassurance and keeping intelligence from the community flowing.
“The support of the public is critical in everything we do.”
Supt Pearman said the work does not stop here.
He added: “We tackle violent crime and target violent offenders all-year-round.
“People should be aware: Cumbria is not somewhere where violence is tolerated.”
Peter McCall Police and Crime Commissioner said: “I am delighted to see the excellent results of this week of action by Cumbria Police to tackle those who think they can carry out violent crimes in Cumbria – they ned to understand this very clear message that they will be pursued robustly by the police who will do everything they can to bring them to justice.
“I congratulate the police on over 55 arrests and the confiscation of several potentially lethal weapons, there is no excuse for anyone to carry weapons on our streets and those who do, will be dealt with using the full force of the law.
“Cumbria remains a safe place to live and the police will continue to do everything possible to keep it that way, and everyone of us can help by passing information of anyone you suspect or know to be carrying knives or indeed any other weapons to the police or anonymously to crime stoppers – together let’s keep thugs out of Cumbria and keep our county, one of the safest places to live in the country.”
The crackdown on violence ran in the same week as Operation Sceptre, the knife surrender in which people had the chance to hand in unwanted blades.
Results from this are expected to be shared today.
