A word from your local Sergeant
Hello,
I am Suzanne Scott-O’Neill, I am your Local Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant for the South Lakes area.
Welcome to the last Neighbourhood Policing newsletter focused on 2022.
My policing area of responsibility includes South Lakes, Kendal and the surrounding areas.
I have been a Police Officer for over 20 years and a Sergeant in the Kendal area since 2008.
I feel honoured to live and work in the South Lakes Policing area.
My team of Community Beat Officers, PCSOs and Neighbourhood Policing Officers work with a number of partner agencies to ensure we deliver the best service possible for everyone in the local community.
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, you can contact via the details below.
Best wishes for 2023!
Suzanne
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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.
Following reports of anti-social behaviour, and shoplifting this month, increased attention was paid to Maudes Meadow and the Town Centre areas on officer's beat patrols.
Action taken in the Town Centre
Having worked with retail staff across the town, we have seen their commitment to support each other to stop shoplifters. They have also supported officer's investigations; quickly sharing information between shops through their ShopWatch shared messaging group and keeping officers updated with information on offences and any information on offenders.
Whilst on patrol in the Town Centre, Police have intervened in a number of attempted thefts. They are also supporting shops with the increased patrols and crime prevention advice to support the prevention of future offences.
During patrols in December, six people were identified as shoplifting or committing other offences. All of these persons were dealt by the officers. Currently, three of the individuals are facing criminal proceedings.
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Action taken in the Town Centre: Sentenced
Kyle Game, 19, of Hallgarth Circle, Kendal, has been given a 22 month custodial sentence.
Game was sentenced for:
- Shoplifting
- Attempted criminal damage to a property
In December, Neighbourhood Policing Officers on patrol in Kendal Town Centre, arrested Game on a number of occasions for shoplifting offences.
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Supporting local students
The 5th of December and the 8th of December PCSO Mark Walker visited Queen Katherine's and Dallam School, to speak to students interested in policing.
Mark spoke to the students about his role and about policing in Cumbria.
The students then took part in mock interviews with Mark, to support them with preparing for the interview should they chose a career in policing.
Mark was really impressed with the students, and said that they provided some really interesting and well thought-out answers.
We would like to wish all the students well with their exams and with their future careers.
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Property protection advice
Thieves are active at this time of year knowing that properties may be holding expensive personal goods and cash.
Many thefts are opportunistic and spontaneous, with the offender choosing targets with insecure or easy access and valuables in plain sight.
Residents, business owners and those out shopping in Cumbria, are asked to remain vigilant and to report any crimes or suspicious activity to police.
Based on experience, local Neighbourhood Policing teams have also issued some effective tips to help deter offenders from targeting you and your property.
Home and business security tips:
 Check that the locks, bolts and latches on all windows and doors are working and used
Turn on intruder alarms
Consider installing real or dummy CCTV
Consider installing external motion sensor lights
Leave a light on when you are out (this can be aided with a timer)
Never publicise your home is unattended on social media or to friends, colleagues or neighbours
Postcode your valuables with a UV pen or Smart Water
Cancel newspapers, milk etc when you go on holiday
Report suspicious activity around your property or neighbourhood to police
Make sure callers to your home are genuine, always ask for ID. If in doubt do not open the door
Keep valuables out of sight
Do not place empty packaging or receipts for expensive goods outside your house
Do not post pictures of expensive items or gifts publicly on social media
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On the 15th of December PCSO Mark Walker supported the whole of Heron Hill School to attend their Carol concert.
Mark provided traffic management support and a policing presence as all of the students walked from school to the church and back.
Mark supporting the school with this event, not only supported the teachers to keep the large number of children safe through town, but interactions such as this also help to build confidence in the students that officers are a positive member of their community who they can speak to if they need help.
Mark was chuffed that he could be part of the schools festive day, he came back to the office feeling very Christmassy.
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Getting in the Christmas spirit
On Thursday the 17th November, PCSO Jayne Park supported the event organisers with a policing presence at the Kendal Mountain and Sky Christmas Lights switch on.
A huge number of people came to the event, Jayne patrolled the area on her beat to help assist with the safety of visitors and performers.
The event concluded safely with only a few, minor incidents reported to us.
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Action taken against drink and drug driving
Throughout December, Local Neighbourhood Policing Team Officers have been conducting Drink Drive checks across the Westmoreland and Furness area.
This action supported the NPCC National Winter Drink Drive Operation 2022.
This action was taken to deter and detect such crimes, to reduce serious injuries and fatalities on our roads.
Vehicles identified to be speeding or committing moving traffic offences were stopped and spoken to. Drivers were then tested from the levels of drink or drugs in their system.
You can find out more about this operation and the action we have taken against drink and drug driving over the festive period, here: UPDATE: Drivers urged to plan ahead this Christmas as part of drink and drug driving campaign - Cumbria Constabulary .
Please visit our social media accounts for further information and updates on our Drink Drug Driving deterrence work.
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Keeping warm this winter
A Warm Spot offers a free, 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.
Cumbria County Council have a list of local Warm Spot venues on their website: Warm Spots | Cumbria County Council Alpha.
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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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Action against rural crime: Operation Lantern
On the 13th of December, Neighbourhood Policing officers from Westmoreland and Furness, received a report of a stolen quad bike.
A coordinated response was swiftly actions to undertake enquiries. Following the past paced investigation, officers located and returned the quad bike the same day.
Three further quad bikes have been returned to their owners in the last couple of months as a result of action take through Operation Lantern .
Rural Crime is a priority for Cumbria Constabulary. The force regularly run initiatives across policing departments, forces and with partner agencies, targeting this area of crime.
The force’s determination to tackle rural crime have resulted in the expansion of a dedicated and coordinated rural crime response, codenamed Operation Lantern.
You can find out more about Operation Lantern's activity and results here.
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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.
You said, We did
Neighbourhood Policing Officers hold a range of engagement activity throughout the year, to understand areas of concern within the community and take appropriate action to resolve incidents, crimes and concerns raised.
Below are updates on actions officers have taken following your feedback to us.
You said: The following areas were of concern
- Anti-social behaviour was concerning on Hallgarth
- Rural acquisitive crime
- Cold callers
- Anti-social use of vehicles
- Neighbourhood disputes
We did:
- We are working with partner agencies such as South Lakes District Council and Housing Associations to tackle the unacceptable behaviour
- Conducted a multi-agency Street Safe survey in the area to identify the key areas of concern
- Increased patrols in areas identified as the main locations of concern for anti-social behaviour
- Taken positive and where appropriate multi-agency action against those responsible
- Continuing to monitor this area
- Placed a SID (speed indicator device) in Croftlands at Urswick Road and latterly on Oakwood Drive to monitor the speed and anti-social use of vehicles near the car park at the community centre on Central Drive
- Liaised with our Neighbourhood Coordinator to assess the issues raised by you to ensure a well coordinated, appropriate response
- Increased patrols for the night-time economy
- Working with partner agencies to tackle neighbourhood issues and cold calling
- Made several arrests for anti-social behaviour and shoplifting
Please continue to report your local policing concerns to us. You can do that via our Community Surveys ( please keep an eye on our South Lakes social media accounts for information on when the surveys are open), you can also visit a local police drop-in desk, you can speak to a local officer at an event or on the beat or you can report it online at www.Cumbria.police.uk/report-it. You can also call 101.
Upcoming drop-in Police Desks
Monthly drop-in Police Desks are an opportunity to speak to a Neighbourhood Policing officer face-to-face about any local concerns, incidents or crime information.
Please keep an eye on our South Lakes social media accounts for information on upcoming Police Desks.
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In other news
Cumbria Constabulary expand successful operation targeting rural crime
Rural Crime is a priority for Cumbria Constabulary. The force regularly run initiatives across policing departments, forces and with partner agencies, targeting this area of crime.
The force’s determination to tackle rural crime sees the expansion of the dedicated and coordinated rural crime response, codenamed Operation Lantern.
Read more here.
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South Cumbria Police issue seasonal property protection advice
Police in South Cumbria are reminding people to secure their vehicles, homes and businesses to deter opportunist criminals.
Thieves are active at this time of year knowing that properties may be holding expensive personal goods and cash.
Read more here.
Young farmers received Crime Prevention Certificates
The initiative offers local Young Farmers the opportunity to play a key role in helping to keep farming and rural communities safe though a unique training package.
The package gives Young Farmers practical suggestions that they can make when visiting local farms in their Club area that will encourage the famer to help prevent themselves from becoming victims of crime.
Read more here.
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Cumbria Constabulary expand successful operation targeting rural crime
Rural Crime is a priority for Cumbria Constabulary. The force regularly run initiatives across policing departments, forces and with partner agencies, targeting this area of crime.
The force’s determination to tackle rural crime sees the expansion of the dedicated and coordinated rural crime response, codenamed Operation Lantern.
The operation launched in 2019 to provide a coordinated response to thefts from farms in the county.
The operation’s expansion will support officers across all departments in providing an enhanced response to localised rural crime and in supporting affected rural communities.
Read more here.
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