Latest figures reveal drop in anti-social behaviour and serious violence

Latest figures show there has been a drop in anti-social behaviour and serious crimes in the hotspots of Cumbria.

The county’s police chiefs said Operation Enhance, launched in 2024, had had a positive effect.

Extra police patrols were launched as part of the operation, which targeted areas where anti-social behaviour and serious violence are highest across Cumbria.

The patrols were paid for after a successful bid to the Home Office for £1 million from Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen.

From August 1 to August 31, the commissioner said hotspot patrols have achieved:

21.4% reduction in anti-social behaviour offences (33 offences in hotspot areas vs 42 offences last year).
8.1% reduction in all crime (294 vs 320 last year), driven by fewer public order offences.
21.4% reduction in serous violence (9 fewer offences; 33 offences vs 42 offences in the same period last year)

Officers have also carried out 10 stop searches, 36 intelligence submissions, two traffic reports and made five uses of anti-social behaviour powers, helping to keep the public safe.

Mr Allen said: “Operation Enhance has shown the real difference that visible, proactive policing makes to our communities. These results are not just about statistics – they are about people feeling safer in their communities.

“Residents rightly want to see visible policing day in day out, that’s what you’re getting with Op Enhance, it’s why we fought so hard to secure this funding and deliver on my promise of more visible policing.”

Chief Superintendent Andy Wilkinson said: “The high-visibility hotspot patrols continue to coincide with significant reductions in anti-social behaviour across almost all of our hotspot areas.

“Our officers are also receiving positive feedback from the public, who value both the reassurance and the proactive work being carried out.

“I’d also encourage anyone who is experiencing anti-social behaviour in their community to report it. It is only by the Police having information and knowledge that we can deal with it, and we will.”