A word from your local Inspector

Hello, I am Grant Kelso, your Local Neighbourhood Policing Inspector for the South Lakes area. 

It is an enormous source of pride for me to be a Police Officer and I am extremely grateful to live and work in such a marvellous area as Cumbria.

I am in my 20th year of Service with the Force and have completed all of that service in the South of the County. I know the area and many of its people very well.

Cumbria is a fantastic place to live, work and visit and remains one of the safest places in the Country. 

The Constabulary is in the process of moving some of our Police Officers into Community Beat Officer (CBO) roles to further improve our local service and provide our Communities with Local Police Officers. As that process continues, the Communities of the South Lakes will come to know who their local Community Beat Officer is and they will become key to addressing local concerns. I will update further on the programme to introduce CBO's to Communities in due course. 

As ever, we would like to hear any Community concerns or suggestions about how we could improve our services. If you would like to get in touch with the South Lakes Neighbourhood Policing Team, us you can contact via the details below.

Thank you

Grant

Out and about on the beat

PCSOs and neighbourhood policing officers continue to conduct regular foot patrols in and around the Kendal area.

These patrols are conducted frequently to provide reassurance and to deter and detect anti-social and criminal activity.

We are pleased to report that anti-social behaviour incident reports have reduced. However, patrols are still ongoing, and we encourage anyone with concerns about anti-social behaviour to report them to us so they can be investigated.

Action taken against anti-social behaviour

Our Crime Prevention Officer has recently attended Kirkbie Green in Kendal following reports of anti social behaviour. The reports were of young people drinking, littering and being unduly noisy late into the evening. Following these reports, the area was added to our patrol Hot Spot area.

This Hot Spot intelligence allows us to understand where areas of concern are and take positive action.

Hot Spot are removed when the issues reported are resolved. Police action taken to resolve issues includes partnership working and regular foot and mobile patrols. Officers also deal proactively with names and addresses taken.

On this occasion the Crime Prevention Officer is working Persimmion Homes to have shrubbery removed at Kirkbie Green, that has become overgrown, creating areas where people can easily hide.

By working together with the local residents, our Crime prevention Officers, and Persimmion Homes we hope to swiftly reduce the incidents.

We would like to ask parents and caregivers to speak to the children and young people in your care about the potential impact their behaviour could have on other people. Large, drunk or noisy groups of young people can be intimidating to residents especially in the hours of darkness.

Please ask your young people to please be respectful and to abide by the law. There are consequences, including the potential of a criminal record, if offences are committed.

Action taken to end cold calling

Following reports in the local area of regarding cold calling in Levens officers undertook targeted patrols.

During one of these patrols, PCSO Jayne Park observed a scrap dealer cold calling in the area. An investigation took place leading to the driver being charged.

On the 9^th of November Cumbria Police successfully achieved a conviction and sentencing against the driver of a 6 month driving ban, 8 points on his license and fines totalling £1116.00.

Please continue to report all concerns to us around cold calling so that we can understand local issues and take appropriate action.

Action against anti-social parking

PCSO Vicky Hayley with colleagues from partner agency Home Group, conducted a targeted patrol on the 15th of November.

The action followed reports of anti-social behaviour and parking on Drovers Drive, Kendal.

Residents have reported youths littering, drug use and illegal use of electric scooters.

Residents also reported a bin wagon unable to access Drovers Drive, due to cars parking on pavements.

Vicky and the team spoke to resident to gather intelligence on concerns. The owners of vehicles parked anti-social were spoken to where possible and advice was given.

Those blocking the bin wagon were moved on.

A letter drop was also carried out to ask the residents to notify us of any concerns and identify the key issues in the area.

Regular patrols of the area have been ongoing.

Anyone with concerns about anti-social parking in their area should report it to their local authority for investigation.

Drivers are reminded that their vehicle should not be parked in a way that could cause an obstruction on the road, to a drive access or to emergency vehicle.

Home safety advice

Detectives covering the south Lakeland area have seen a significant increase in dwelling burglaries over the last few months.

The incidents have occurred in rural towns and villages across south Lakeland in Dent, Sedbergh, Allithwaite, Grange and a lot of villages in between including Kirkby Lonsdale, Holme, Burton-in-Kendal, Beetham, Levens, Storth and Arnside.

Find out more here: Officers ask communities to be vigilant following burglaries in south Lakeland - Cumbria Constabulary

Whilst we shouldn't have to ask residents to remain vigilant, we unfortunately do have to. There are dishonest people that look for opportunities to benefit from other people's hard-earned valuables.

Please continue to report all information, concerns and crimes to us around burglaries so that we can build intelligence on those involved and make arrests.

Residents can help to make their homes more secure from opportunist offenders by taking some simple crime prevention steps:

• Lock all doors and windows.
• Consider installing a door bell camera, internal camera and/or monitored burglar alarm.
• Consider installing external motion detection lighting.
• Use timer switches in your home to control internal lights if you are away.
• Keep keys and valuables secure and out of sight.
• Ensure fences are secure and gates are locked.
• Secure bins at night and put garden furniture away for the winter as these can be used by burglars as climbing aids to gain access to upper floor windows.
• Ensure your vehicle is locked and remove all valuables as burglars often check to see if doors are left unlocked.

Parking matters

Following reports by drivers and students of parking issues at pick up and drop off times outside St Thomas School, PCSO Mark Walker met with the Head Teacher on the 11^th of November.

Following this meeting the school will be monitoring parking around these times closely, and parking cones will be put out to remind drivers where they are allowed to park.

PCSO Mark Walker will also be supporting year 6 Head Pupils when inputs when they soon become Parking Monitors. 

Drivers dropping children off at school are asked to plan their journeys accordingly to allow enough time to park appropriately.

Parking inconsiderately or illegally can put the safety of children at risk.

Free local Warm Spots 

A Warm Spot offers a warm, welcoming space for people to visit this winter if they need it. They are run by a range of different organisations including churches, village halls, local councils and libraries.

All Warm Spots have their own opening days and times and the services available vary.

Anyone looking for a place in their local community to go to where they can stay warm, or a place to meet people in their community please visits: Warm Spots | Cumbria County Council Alpha   to find places locally who offer drinks, food, company and warmth.

Meet the Police

On the 17^th October, PCSO 5334 Debbie Ross visited Hawkshead Primary School to talk about her job as part of the 'People who Help Us' topic.

The children were very engaged and asked lots of question. They were very disappointed that I didn’t have a police dog with me or in my role... who can blame them! Hopefully if the children see this, they will appreciate this picture of Police Dog Drake. 

PD Drake is one of our search dogs! 

The 'People who Help Us' topic is designed to help inspire the next generation with the work of emergency workers and also build confidence in young people to understand the role of police in their local area. This is to ensure they feel confident in speaking to an officer or contacting the police if they are in need of our help.

If you would like to speak to a child in your care about the role of a police officer or a PCSO you can find more information on both roles by visiting: The Role of a Police Officer - Cumbria Constabulary

Drivers urged to plan ahead this Christmas as part of drink and drug driving campaign

Our Christmas and New Year drink and drug drive campaign launched at the weekend aiming to highlight the consequences of being under the influence of drink or drugs behind the wheel.

If you are stopped by police and found to be over the limit for drink or drugs, you could lose your license, your job, fined thousands of pounds and potentially be sent to prison.

Read more.

Long-serving volunteer recognised for her commitment to tackling rural crime

The work of one of Cumbria Police’s longest-serving volunteers has been recognised at a national award ceremony.

Special Constable Susan Holliday was awarded runner-up in the ‘Individual Award’ category at this year’s Lord Ferrers Awards.

Read more.

South Lakes Police want you to report all anti-social behaviour and crime

Please report any incidents of crime or anti-social behaviour to us, to help us keep South Lakes safe.

If a crime is in progress always call 999.

You can report online at https://www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it

Our online Live Chat function is a new service giving you an alternative way to communicate with a Police Officer in real time. More here.

You can also phone on 101.
Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.