Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall said: “As we sit down to enjoy our Christmas festivities, please take a second to think about the people in our emergency services who are working hard throughout the festive period to keep us all safe.
“I would particularly like to thank all the Police Officers, PCSOs, police staff and our many volunteers for all their hard work not just at Christmas but over the last year to keep us safe and consistently deliver a professional and dedicated police force. I am sincerely grateful to every member of staff for their efforts on our behalf.
“It has been an interesting year and thankfully whilst there has been some challenges it has been a good year for policing in the county. As a result of your support the Chief Constable was able to increase police officer numbers by 20 this was followed by the government supporting an additional 51 officers and we are working hard to get these new officers onto our streets by the summer of 2020. They are much needed and will both go a long way in fighting crime in our county.
“Meanwhile the police have worked incredibly hard to secure some notable court convictions taking county lines drug gangs off our streets and facing lengthy prison sentences, they need to understand we will not tolerate them in Cumbria and will do all we can to bring them to justice.
“We are incredibly fortunate in Cumbria that we have a strong community culture, there is great support for the police and I know that you will be looking out for the most vulnerable and giving them the support that they need. It is only by working together that we will continue to keep Cumbria safe. We are blessed that so many people are watching out for their neighbours and it may be that your decisions, actions and behaviour may make a real difference to someone’s life in this season of goodwill.
“I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe, peaceful Christmas and all the very best for 2020.”
Chief Constable Michelle Skeer, Cumbria Constabulary, said: “Christmas can be a wonderful time of year for people and I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable festive period.
“The Christmas period is no different to any other day of the year as our police officers, staff, PCSOs and volunteers will be working hard to keep people safe. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their continued commitment.
“I would encourage anyone that requires our services this festive period to please get in touch.
“It has been a busy year for the Constabulary and we look forward to once again working with our partner agencies and the public in the New Year. We will continue to do all that we possibly can to ensure the public continue to receive an effective service from their high-performing police force.
“Have an amazing Christmas and New Year period, be kind to one another and all the very best for 2020.”
