Hello, I am Paul Mellard one of your Local Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant within the South Lakes area and my areas of responsibility are Ulverston and the Lakes.
In January my team of six PCSOs and two Community Beat Officers have continued to work within their communities and have taken part in the national Week of Action concentrating on antisocial behaviour.
My team have taken part in activities with partner agencies to tackle antisocial behaviour and other issues raised by the community. We have conducted high-visibility patrols and targeted antisocial driving in Ulverston, speaking to and educating young drivers.
We have also worked with schools and the Mini Police in litter picks and positive citizenship in Windermere and conducted further school visits across the area. We continue to provide community meetings where residents can tell us about any issues they may have.
They have also been concentrating on patrolling a number of areas in which we have had reports of antisocial behaviour and dealing with those responsible.
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.
General Enquiries - Cumbria Constabulary
If you are reporting a non emergency matter or incident, you can do so here
Report a Non-Emergency Crime/Incident Online - Cumbria Constabulary
Please remember, always call 999 if a crime is being committed now, the offender is nearby, or if you or other people are injured or in danger.
Thank you
Paul
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Neighbourhood Policing Week in January
Our neighbourhood policing teams work throughout the year to support the communities they serve by tackling the issues and concerns that matter to those communities.
Between 23 and 27 January, our officers worked to highlight their work as part of the national neighbourhood policing week of action.
Crime and anti-social behaviour can have a detrimental and lasting impact on not only those directly affected, but also the wider community. Our officers and PCSOs work tirelessly with communities and partner agencies to ensure residents and businesses receive the best possible local policing service.
The South Lakes neighbourhood policing team have been tackling a number of issues within the community including anti-social behaviour, rural crime and road safety.
Some of the actions we take to prevent these issues are early intervention. The neighbourhood policing team throughout the year visit local schools, local groups and individuals in the community to educate them on issues. This speaking to young people on the consequences of being involved in anti-social behaviour or educating them on how to stay safe when walking in the dark.
Rural Crime is a priority for Cumbria Constabulary and is something that the neighbourhood policing teams are proactive in their activity to engage with the local farming community and regularly run initiatives across policing departments, with neighbouring forces and with partner agencies, targeting this area of crime.
During the week officers from the neighbourhood policing team carried out a range of work.
Monday 23 January
- Sedbergh anti-social behaviour and school parking patrols. Also targeting anti-social driving and speeding
- Anti-social behaviour day of action in Westmorland Shopping centre
- Multi agency work with Cumbria County Council in Windermere
- Litter picks with schools in Windermere
Tuesday 24 January
- Kendal School visit by PCSO to talk about anti-social behaviour
- Tackling anti-social drivers in the Booths, Ulverston area
Wednesday 25 January
- Kendal event in town centre at HSBC on fraud and anti-social behaviour.
- Patrols in the area of Helm Close, Windermere and multi-agency drop in
- Tackling anti-social drivers Ulverston
Thursday 26 January
- Crooklands Auction mart rural crime drop in
- Patrols in the following areas, Helm Close, Windermere, Ambleside area and Ulverston Town
- Tackling anti-social drivers in Ulverston
- School parking patrols in Pennigton
- Police desk is being held Great Urswick
Friday 27 January
- Kendal School visit to talk about anti-social behaviour
- High visibility patrols in Kendal
Saturday 28 January
- Patrols in hot spot areas in Stainton
- Bike marking event in Ulverston rural
Sunday 29 January
Inspector Grant Kelso, South Lakes Neighbourhood Policing Team, said “We are continuing to tackle issues that are affecting the communities of South Lakes and we ask you continue to report these to us and our partners.
“As in other areas of Cumbria in the South Lakes we are looking at introducing Community Beat Officers to further improve our local services and provide a regular face to build relationships within our communities.”
Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, said: “We all want to live in safer and more respectful communities, which is why the work of the Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) is so important. We have been investing additional officers into neighbourhood teams and we are all committed to seeing them have real effect.
“The NPTs listen to public concerns and do everything within their ability to combat these local issues to help create a safer place for people to live in, work and visit.
“Weeks of action such as Neighbourhood Policing Week provide us with the opportunity to showcase key examples of what the Police do year-round from tackling crime to educating and engaging with residents.
“Neighbourhood policing relies on the partnership with the public, we can really help the police to help us. Most importantly we can all be eyes and ears; the police depend on information. I encourage everyone to report anything suspicious or illegal to the Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Every report helps to target resource and solve problems together we can and will keep our neighbourhoods safe and crime free.“
You can sign up to your monthly local neighbourhood policing team newsletter here to received updates and information on what your teams have been doing.
Please report any incidents of crime or anti-social behaviour to us, to help our policing teams keep South Lakes safe.
If a crime is in progress always call 999.
You can also phone on 101.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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Ulverston children learn importance of road safety
Children at Sir John Barrow School were visited by Cumbria Constabulary's Safety Camera Team to help learn more about the importance of road safety.
Safety Camera Technician John Pickthall gave a talk on the work the police do to keep all road users safe, including drivers and pedestrians.
The Safety Camera Team are pleased to report the children were engaged and attentive throughout, and very interested in learning more about staying safe.
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Cycle-marking session held in Ulverston
A free cycle-marking session was held on 28 January at Leisure Lakes Bikes in Ulverston (Unit 12 – 13 Lightburn Industrial estate) from 10am to 12pm.
We use the Retainaguard cycle marking system which gives each cycle a unique number which is registered with the international security register.
Look out for updates on other opportunities to protect your bicycles and other valuables in the future.
Police and SLDC working to resolve issues in Swarthmoor and Low Furness
Officers have been carrying out patrols alongside our partners at South Lakeland District Council to address environmental concerns in and around Swarthmoor and Low Furness.
SLDC’s Enforcement Officer joined police on the patrols
Areas of concern included fly tipping, dog fouling and the impact of fighter kite flying.
Signage has been displayed and contact made with
Contact made with those involved in kite flying to seek long-term solutions regarding discarded debris.
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Child safety key at school pick-up and drop-off times
Officers including PCSO 5277 have been in Springfield Road in Ulverston in response to concerns around road safety and parking in the vicinity of the school around pick-up and drop-off times at the school.
Officers took this picture on January 24, when the area was very busy with traffic! However, officers were pleased to see there was no double parking, with people making the effort to keep the area around the school safe for all.
Officers will continue to monitor and carry out road safety work in the area.
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Burglars are on the look-out - is your home an easy target?
Officers are keen to warn people in South Lakes to be on their guard and to do everything they can to deter burglars.
People are being asked to look at their own homes and to ask themselves - are you an easy target?
Burglars are more likely to go after what they suspect are 'soft targets', such as properties with doors and windows unlocked and valuables on open display.
The majority of burglaries are classed as insecure or sneak-in offences.
These are crimes which potentially could have been prevented with some simple home security measures such as making sure doors and windows are locked and secure.
When you’re leaving the house, turn around and take a look at your home. How would a thief view it? An easy target?
Even the simplest of steps can drastically reduce the likelihood of your home being burgled. Simple steps such as making sure doors are always locked – whether you are in or not and whether or not it is day or night – and only keeping widows open in occupied rooms.
Follow our advice to keep your home safe from burglary, damage, doorstep theft, fly-tipping and squatters: protect your valuables, safeguard your building and secure your outside.
More advice: Home and Garden Safety - Cumbria Constabulary
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Cold Calling & Scam Calls
Over the last month we have been concerned about reported incidents of Cold Calling to people homes and scam phone calls.
Types of scam include, bank scams, HMRC, compensation calls and pension & investment scams
There are several easy steps to take to deal with Scam Calls.
Register your phone number with the telephone Preference Service (TPS) which is free
www.tpsonline.org.uk
To register a mobile number , text TPS and your email address to 85095
Contact your phone provider and see what services they offer
Consider blocking devices
Remember :
- Never give out personal or financial details to anyone over the phone
- Do not be rushed into making a decision – be very suspicious if the caller is wanting you to make a decision immediately
- If the offer sounds too good to be true, then it usually is
- Terminate the call if you are concerned
If you think you have been scammed, seek help immediately , do not be embarrassed – scammers are very believable and devious.
Cumbria Police 101 ( 999 in an emergency)
Action Fraud 0300 1q23 2040
www.actionfraud.police.uk
Nuisance calls can be reported to the ICO
(Information Commissioner's Office)
0303 123 1113
Advice and support is readily available from your local PCSO
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Officers working with community to tackle antisocial behaviour
Officers have been carrying out targeted patrols in the Swarthmoor & Low Furness areas targeting antisocial behaviour.
A number of people suspected of being involved have been visited at their homes and there will be additional police desks held in the community to give people further opportunity to voice concerns and raise issues.
Anyone with knowledge of antisocial behaviour is encouraged to report it to the police. You can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit
You can also phone on 101.
Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Always call 999 in an emergency and/or when a crime is in progress.
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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.
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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In other news
Drugs and cash seized as Operation Alliance continues to protect against serious and organised crime
Officers in Cumbria are continuing an operation to protect the county against serious and organised crime.
Recently we told you about the scale of the work underway to protect Cumbria against serious and organised crime – with drugs worth £4m taken off the streets last year.
Now we can reveal that in the first six weeks of 2023 alone we have seized drugs worth at least £730,000 and about £500,000 in suspected illegally-held cash.
It means the officers protecting the public against offenders such as drug dealers and traffickers have continued the good work and hit the ground running in 2023.
The work all comes under the banner of Operation Alliance, which is the constabulary’s ongoing response to serious and organised crime.
Read more.
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Cumbria Constabulary committed to national Race Action Plan
Following the release of The Police Race Action Plan Feedback Survey Findings, Cumbria Constabulary’s Chief Constable Michelle Skeer has reaffirmed the force’s commitment to improving policing for black people.
The national Race Action Plan, published in May 2022, set out challenging targets for forces to meet. The public survey which followed, sought to gain views from members of the public, individual police officers and staff, and representatives from policing and other organisations to share their thoughts on the plan.
Read more.
Police urge vigilance over scam calls
Police are asking people to remain vigilant following a handful of scam phone calls to people in Cumbria in recent days from fraudsters.
The scams fit the pattern of what are known as “courier frauds”, where fraudsters pretend to be officials such as police officers, HMRC officials or bank fraud teams.
The scam differs slightly from call to call.
Read more.
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PCSO joins partners to support neurodiverse communities
Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Pete Nichol is continuing to use his lived experience to support neurodiverse communities.
Pete has been diagnosed with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, a Chromosome disorder, and traits of OCD and uses his diagnosis to support others.
Alongside Shirley Murphy from the Allerdale and Copeland Autism Support Group Pete has been engaging with pupils from local schools diagnosed with neurodiverse traits.
Read more.
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Conference to be held focussing on violence against women and girls
Cumbria Constabulary and the University of Leeds are hosting a conference at Penrith focussing on the issue of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
The conference will also discuss domestic abuse in rural areas, elder abuse and reasons victims may not support a police investigation.
It will bring together national experts on these issues and the event will launch the findings of research the university conducted last year in Cumbria.
Read more.
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