A week to highlight the work of the police’s neighbourhood teams starts today
Cumbria police has six Neighbourhood Policing Teams covering the county. Each team is made up of community beat officers (PCs), PCSOs, sometimes members of the Special Constabulary, and led by sergeants and inspectors.
As well as patrolling their neighbourhoods, they work to tackle local crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour-related issues.
They often do this by working with partner agencies such as local councils, housing providers and residents themselves.
A national survey recently found Cumbria police was the number one force in England and Wales for understanding residents’ concerns.
Results from the survey, used by the Government to measure crime and develop ways of tackling it, also revealed Cumbria was second in England and Wales for the percentage of people who agreed the force and their local council were dealing with the anti-social behaviour and crime issues that mattered.
As part of the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, Cumbria will receive £1.68 million from the Home Office to recruit an additional 46 staff into neighbourhood teams across Cumbria, meaning more officers and PCSOs on the streets, the constabulary said.
Chief Superintendent Andy Wilkinson, neighbourhood policing lead, said: “Neighbourhood Policing Week gives us the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the outstanding work that officers and staff in our teams are doing to keep our communities safe.
“They are at the heart of their communities and are a huge part of day-to-day policing in Cumbria.
“Having these visible, community focussed officers mean we are able to offer an accessible police presence and gain a greater understanding of the issues which need to be addressed – especially within our more rural locations.
“I am extremely proud of the role they perform, not just during this week, but every day.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “One of my key priorities as commissioner is to place more resource into neighbourhood policing. It’s one area that is constantly raised with me that the public want to see more bobbies on the beat.
“The extra £1.68m from the Government allows us to put more resources in which I am extremely pleased about.
“Neighbourhood policing teams are vital in gaining local knowledge and intelligence and for building trust and confidence with local residents – this trust is incredibly important, and I want to ensure that this is fostered with as much support as possible.
“I want to thank our teams for all the fantastic work they do in keeping the public safe – especially as we head into summer and see a rise in visitors from all over the world.”
