A scheme to keep Cumbria’s streets safe has been launched.
The Safer Streets Summer Initiative, introduced by the Home Office, will run for three months.
It will be led by Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen, and includes partners Cumbria Constabulary, Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness councils, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, Remedi, The Well Communities and Cumbria Youth Alliance.
The project aims to highlight positive work taking place over the summer to reduce anti-social behaviour, reduce and prevent crime and restore confidence.
It will focus on Carlisle, Whitehaven, Workington, Kendal, Barrow, Penrith and Ulverston town centres.
Work will include tackling retail and knife crime, youth engagement, fines, Public Space Protection Orders and use of Community Protection Notices.
The scheme will also highlight the benefits of the crime commissioner’s community fund for local groups, work with local drug and alcohol treatment services and protection and prevention measures in place to protect those enjoying the county’s night-time economy.
Police commissioner David Allen said: “Every summer, partners across Cumbria work together to keep our communities safe.
“This initiative provides us with the opportunity to promote all this positive work and highlights to residents that we are dedicated to keeping our town centres safe and welcoming for everyone.
“I always say that reducing anti-social behaviour and crime is a community effort, and the work planned for over the summer really shows this and also shows the different paths we can take to do so: from diversionary activities for our young people to extra patrols during our night-time economy.
“I hope that over the next three months, the public take comfort in knowing the amount of work partners do to keep them as safe as possible and to provide our youth with opportunities to keep them away from criminality.”
Temporary Superintendent Annette McClement, of Cumbria Constabulary, said: “The summer months can be an incredibly busy time for our county, with large numbers of people visiting our area to attend events and experience all that Cumbria has to offer. Therefore, it is also one of the busier periods of the year for our policing teams.
“The Safer Streets Summer campaign will highlight the work we and our partner agencies do to keep people safe in town centres across our county.
“Our force is committed to providing visible and effective neighbourhood policing to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour.
“It is vital to have the trust and confidence of communities for us to carry out our work to keep people safe. A recent national crime survey placed ourselves as the leading force in the country for understanding residents’ concerns and highlighted the confidence people have for police in Cumbria dealing with issues that mattered to them.
“I would encourage everyone to follow our social media channels to find out more about the work we will do throughout the summer and updates on our activities.”
Cllr Justin McDermott, Cumberland Council executive member with responsibility for public health and communities, added: “I’m really pleased that we are able to take part in this initiative.
“Making sure that our streets and town centres are safe and welcoming for all residents and visitors, is a key priority for us, and this will only be achieved when partners work together in this way.”
