A series of events will be held in West Cumbria this summer to tackle anti-social behaviour.
The Operation Respect events will feature access to wellbeing services, financial support, sports sessions, fun activities, food and community clean-ups.
Allerdale Local Focus Hub – a problem-solving partnership co-ordinated by Cumberland Council and Cumbria Police – has arranged the events, which will take place between 10am and 3pm at:
- Friday, July 28 – Windsor Road, Westfield, Workington
- Wednesday, August 2 – Firth View Walk, Westfield, Workington.
- Tuesday, August 8 – The Oval Centre, Salterbeck, Workington.
- Thursday, August 24 – The Centre, Ewanrigg, Maryport.
Local focus hubs are highly collaborative groups set up to tackle anti-social behaviour and improve community safety. Council, police, fire service, housing associations and third sector organisations work to address issues collectively.
As well as providing fun activities and access to support, the Operation Respect events will allow residents to chat directly to agencies about concerns in their communities.
There will be advice on budgeting, housing, crime prevention, fire safety and recycling. There will also be a focus on access to food and the cost-of-living crisis.
Cumbria Cricket and Active Cumbria will be offering activities, and Family Action and local libraries will also be on hand with things to do.
Each event is led by one of the hub’s social housing providers – Castles and Coasts, Westfield Housing Association, Home Group and Riverside – and co-ordinated by the Allerdale Local Focus Hub.
Denise Rollo, Cumberland Council’s executive member for sustainable, resilient and connected places, said: “These events are really useful – both for residents and for the organisations serving them.
“We get to hear directly from people about their concerns, but we can also offer lots of support from a wide variety of agencies – as well as practical help in clearing up the area and some fun activities too. It fits perfectly with our pledge to put people’s wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.
“There will also be treats, such as prizes and free ice cream for children. We are helping residents dispose of some items, to alleviate fly tipping, and we’ll be organising litter picking during the events.
“The beauty of the Local Focus Hubs is that we can bring so many different organisations together and get right into the heart of the community. These events have been a great success in the past and I’m sure that will continue. I really believe they help build community resilience and pride, and help make our amazing area a better place to live.”
Inspector Pete Aiston, of Allerdale Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “These events are a great opportunity for the community to speak to partners from the Local Focus Hub, as well as giving the hub partners a chance to visit local areas and understand the issues they are facing.
“We take a partnership approach to tackle issues and work closely with organisations within the hubs.
“I hope our communities take this opportunity to speak to us, and to our partners, so we can work together to tackle the issues they are facing.”
