Eleven people were arrested last month as police continue to crack down on anti-social behaviour and serious crime in Cumbria.
The £1 million Operation Enhance sees extra police patrols in 18 areas identified as hotspots.
Extra funding was secured by Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner from the Government’s Hotspot Response Fund.
Officers on hotspot patrol in the Union Street area of Ulverston on October 16 came across a van which smelt strongly of cannabis.
The driver was subject of a roadside drug test which returned positive for cannabis. He was also searched and officers found upon his person two lock knives, as well as cannabis.
He was arrested on suspicion of two counts of possession of an offensive weapon, possession of a class B drug and drug driving. He was released on police bail pending further enquiries.
A second man was in the van and was also searched. He too was found to be in possession of cannabis.
Robert Robinson, 37, of Little Union Street, Ulverston, was charged with possession of cannabis.
While Operation Enhance patrols are primarily a high-visibility deterrent to crime, they are also encouraged to break off from their planned patrols if necessary to deal swiftly with offenders.
On October 19, patrol officers in Carlisle city centre broke off from their patrol after they spotted a wanted man. The 33-year-old was apprehended as he was wanted for two counts of failing to attend court and recall to prison.
Similarly, officers in Bowness had to conclude their patrol early after stopping a driver who subsequently failed a roadside alcohol test.
Simon Briscoe, 33, of Oak Street, Leigh, near Wigan, was subsequently charged with drink-driving, driving without insurance and driving without a licence.
Officers on patrols have also reported positive interactions with the public. A couple of officers on patrol in Workington reported a positive interaction with youths who had previously had issues with the police in the past but were still happy and encouraged to see officers in the town centre.
Over the first four months of Operation Enhance, there have been 44 arrests, 143 stop and searches, 358 intelligence submissions have been received and anti-social behaviour powers have been used on 13 occasions.
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “Operation Enhance is all about making our communities safer for you – the residents of Cumbria.
“These 18 hotspots were identified by looking at data from the past four years and finding out where most of our ASB and serious violence takes place so that we can use the extra £1m to put extra resources where they are needed. This is a really intelligent, evidence led use of resources and money to best effect.
“Four months in and we are seeing the results from our extra patrols.
The increased patrols in the target areas began on July 1 and the patrols will continue to operate through until at least the end of March.
T/Chief Superintendent Andy Wilkinson said: “Whilst the primary intention of Operation Enhance is to reduce instances of anti-social behaviour and serious violence via the deployment of highly visible and accessible patrols, the teams are also briefed to proactively deal with any criminality or incidents requiring a police intervention within their locations – as with the examples provided.
“Whilst deployed to specific areas, the officers will respond as directed to any nearby incidents to provide a fast intervention to incidents and calls for service, and assist other patrols.
“We are receiving regular updates on the impact these patrols are having and the statistics are showing considerable improvements on the ground in hotspot patrol areas, compared to this time last year.
“I am also hearing very positive feedback from officers on the street who say the public’s reaction to the patrols has been very positive.
“I would encourage the public to continue to engage and support this operation in the coming months. Our activity is informed by your concerns and information provided – please keep providing information and intelligence so that we can keep taking specific and directed action in your community on your behalf.”
The hotspot areas are:
Furness
- Barrow – Hindpool
- Barrow – Salthouse
- Barrow – town centre
- Barrow – Barrow Island
Allerdale & Copeland
- Workington town centre
- Maryport town centre
- Maryport South
- Whitehaven town centre
- Cleator Moor
Carlisle & Wigton
- Botchergate
- Carlisle city centre
- Grey Street/Fusehill Street
- Dowbeck
- Raffles Avenue/Shadygrove Road, Carlisle
Kendal & Eden
- Penrith town and New Squares
- Kendal town centre
- Ulverston town centre
- Bowness-on-Windermere
