A word from your local inspector
The last month has been very busy for the local policing teams here in Copeland. We have provided a lot of local engagement at various Jubilee-related events at a time when some of our staff were supporting their colleagues at a very busy Appleby Fair in Eden. I am pleased to say that all of the events passed off without significant crime or disorder-related incidents occurring.
On 23rd June I, along with Sergeant Stuart and PCSO Booth, had the pleasure of attending the Pride of Cumbria Awards that were being held in Copeland this year. It was a real pleasure to be part of an event that rewarded such deserving members of the public who strive to invest their time and effort in supporting their communities in so many ways. Seeing some of our local nominations winning awards as well was a real high point for me.
Looking forward to the next month provides some exciting opportunities for the Neighbourhood Policing Team.
We are planning some themed work each day during ‘Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week’. This will run from Monday 18th July through to Sunday 24th July. During this time we will be working very closely with our partners to raise awareness about anti-social behaviour, and plan some specific operations to target known concerns. This activity will include work at hotspot locations associated with young people that engage in anti-social behaviour and also those localities that are subject to the anti-social use of motorbikes.
Our officers are attending as many schools across the area as possible to talk to pupils in classes and assemblies on various topics. We often see a spike in young person-related incidents during the summer holidays, so it is particularly important to make the most of our opportunities to go to schools prior to them breaking up for their summer break. We will also endeavour to maximise opportunities to increase patrols across Copeland during this time.
Inspector Richard Smillie
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Anti-social behaviour week
As mentioned above by the Inspector, between 18th and 24th July we will be highlighting the work we do alongside our partners to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Over the week ourselves and partners will be covering:
- Noise (Led by partner agencies)
- Fly tipping (Led by partner agencies)
- Dog fouling & littering (Led by partner agencies)
- Youth-related ASB
- Operation Endorse - Anti-social use of motor vehicles and motorbikes.
Follow our Facebook and Twitter accounts to see what we are up to daily.
To find out more on how you can report incidents of ASB here - Anti Social Behaviour - Cumbria Constabulary
In next month's newsletter we will update you on all the work that we carried out highlighting the work we do all year round.
Anti-social behaviour meeting in Cleator Moor
Officers met with partner agencies and community representatives on 13th June to discuss anti-social behaviour in and around the centre of Cleator Moor.
In attendance were ourselves, local school headteachers, councillors, local youth prevision and Copeland Borough Council.
Partners discussed local issues to gain a further understanding of them which will lead to further meetings and work into sustainable solutions using a multi-agency approach.
Issues included motorbike use, damage to a telephone box and young-person ASB and drug use.
A hub referral has been submitted and partner agencies will discuss solutions to the issues which they will then take back to the community. These solutions are likely to include carrying out talks in schools, letters to parents, a range of police tactics and target-hardening.
We ask that the community continue to report any issues so that ourselves and partners can address them.
School talk - ASB
PCSO Hollie Huck and Samantha Watson conducted a talk with students in years 5 & 6 at Montreal School in Cleator Moor following ASB issues in the community.
Hollie and Samantha spoke to the students on the consequences of their behaviour, and the impact it can have on the community.
This is just some of the work we do with partners to tackle local issues of ASB.
Suspicious man in Egremont
An Egremont resident became suspicious of a man knocking on addresses of the elderly and asking to use a toilet, due to her prompt call to the police a patrol was assigned to the location.
Community officers for the area attended in the first instance and spoke to two elderly residents, one of whom was vulnerable and discovered that there had been the theft of property.
Through community engagement and local investigations, a 33-year-old man was identified and arrested on suspicion of burglary. He has since been released under investigation.
The vulnerable victim was given a crime prevention survey of her property which highlighted the need for some extra home security. With swift response from Cumbria Constabulary's Crime Prevention Officer for West Cumbria & the Housing Manager of Home Group, extra security measures were fitted and installed at the property the next day.
Can we please remind our communities to be vigilant for each other, especially our elderly or vulnerable. Do not let any strangers into your household and report anything suspicious.
Cannabis farms - Egremont and Cleator
Investigations are ongoing into two cannabis grows located in Copeland
On 22nd June, officers conducted a warrant in the area of Cleator Gate and located over 100 cannabis plants.
On the same day, officers conducted a warrant in the area Vale View, Egremont, locating over 380 cannabis plants.
No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing into both grows.
We would like you to report any suspicious activity to us so we can investigate and prevent criminals from producing cannabis. Signs to look out for includes windows being permanently covered, high levels of condensation or numerous visitors coming and going from a house or property.
The information we receive from you on drugs is crucial to our efforts to tackling this issue. If you witness drug activity or have information, please report this to us. You can do this quickly and easily online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it.
Or complete our online intelligence reporting form to share information that you feel could help us investigate a suspected crime or perhaps safeguard someone who may need our help - Tell Us Something - Cumbria Constabulary Alternatively, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Cumbria Pride Awards 2022
Inspector Richard Smillie, Sergeant Lindsay Stuart and PCSO Paul Booth had the pleasure of attending the Cumbria Pride Awards at Whitehaven Golf Club.
It was a great evening to celebrate the great people and organisations within Cumbria.
We work with a lot of organisations and some which were recognised for their work during the awards.
There were many worthy people nominated for awards for their work within the communities of Cumbria. With Some Copeland winners - Women Out West won Charity of the year award and Gary McKee from Cleator Moor won a special recognition award.
All nominations are the heroes of Cumbria, giving to and helping people in our county every day. Well done, you are all Cumbrian heroes.
Mini police - Water safety
PCSOs Simon Kane and Mark Fishpool visited Orgill Primary School to conduct a talk with the mini police on anti-social behaviour and water safety.
Water safety education is important as the weather get warmer, people may be tempted to enter rivers and lakes to cool down.
If you see a person or animal in difficulty in the water, please don't go in to try and help as you could get into trouble yourself. Call 999 immediately and keep your eyes on the spot where you last saw them.
Would you know what to do if you found yourself unexpectedly in the water?
❗ Don’t panic
💧 Try to control your breathing
❗ Extend your arms and legs
💧 Float on your back until the effect of cold water shock passes
Find out more: http://cumbria.gov.uk/water
Internet safety
PCSOs Simon Kane and Mark Fishpool also visited Bookwell Primary School to speak with the children so they can get to know their local officers.
They also conducted a talk on internet safety and how the pupils can stay safe online.
You can find tips on how you can keep your child safe online here 👉 Teaching Your Child about Internet & Online Safety | NSPCC.
 Bicycle Security Marking
We are offering bicycle security marking for a small cost of £5 per bike.
We encourage people to get their bikes marked and registered, to help deter thieves from stealing them, and to assist in returning a recovered bike to the rightful owner.
We use either BikeRegister permanent ID etchings or a tamper-proof sticker (dependant on frame type). Both of these options also include free registration to their national database to which every UK Police force has access.
If you are interested in getting your bicycle security marked or for more information please contact your local PCSO by telephoning 101 or emailing 101emails@cumbria.police.uk.
You can find out who your local PCSO is below 👇
Your local officers
Want to know who your local officers are?
Simply go to our website - www.cumbria.police.uk
Scroll down the home page and you can browse different areas to see who your local team are - or enter your postcode.
Not only will you be able to find out who your named local officers and PCSOs are, you will also be able to view our local policing priorities and details of any meetings or events we will be attending.
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Join us!
Have you ever thought about being a police officer?
Could you be make a real difference to people in Cumbria and help keep them safe?
Recruitment is open now. We are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated people to apply now to join our teams.
 For more information on the role of a police officer and the numerous entry routes, please visit www.cumbria.police.uk/careers.
In other news
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Launch of initiative to help prevent local farm and rural crime
Young farmers in Cumbria are to be offered the opportunity to play a key role in helping to keep farming and rural communities safe.
A unique training package is being developed to support Young Farmers in identifying practical actions that local farmers in their club area can take to prevent themselves from becoming victims of crime.
Read more here.
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Over 160 weapons handed in during surrenders
We have received over 160 weapons from the public during two surrenders of firearms and knives that were held in May.
Weapons handed in during the surrender period are:
- 80 Knives
- 86 firearms (Including ammunition, flares and replicas)
Read more here
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Police issue dangers of not wearing your seatbelt
We are advising drivers to not only ensure they are wearing their seatbelts, but they are also wearing them correctly.
It is a requirement by law to wear your seatbelt or you could be fined up to £500.
For more information on child seats visit - Seat Belts and Child Restraints (think.gov.uk)
Read more here.
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