Work has begun on a Workington footpath to help reduce anti-social behaviour.
The Government has given £47,875 for work on the Line, between Workington and Distington, after a successful bid by Cumbria’s crime commissioner Peter McCall.
The cash will be used to improve the overgrown landscape on and around The Line, repair and replace broken paving and schools have been invited to design murals to replace the current graffiti and new signs with direct links of how to report issues to the council and police.
The work is being completed by Cumberland Council in partnership with the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and Cumbria Police.
Penrith town centre and Hammond’s Pond in Carlisle will also benefit from the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund.
Mr McCall, said: “Cutting down overgrown greenery and fixing paving may seem like a simple solution but if residents can see their surroundings better and we take away any potential hiding spots for criminals looking to commit a crime, we improve the feeling of safety and reduce the likelihood of crime which means it is the right solution.
“I am committed to working with partners to create a county that is and feels safe for all, which is why this funding mainly focuses on reducing anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls offences in hotspot areas as well as providing preventative initiatives to stop incidents happening in the first place.”
Workington Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Pete Aiston said: “We want the community to ‘Reclaim the Line’ which was identified during a short survey as an area where women and girls do not feel safe. They told us about signs of drug and alcohol misuse, poor lighting and having felt intimidated by groups of people.
“This work is part of a larger project which aims to make it a place our communities feel safe and can enjoy. In cutting back the overgrown vegetation it will provide better lighting and a more open space.
“We are committed to tackling violence against women and girls and everyone should be safe and feel safe, no matter where they are.”
