In this month’s newsletter you will see as a force we have launched a new survey as part of our work to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG).
The online survey seeks your opinion on topics including how women and girls feel in their own homes, neighbourhoods and towns - and includes questions about their own experiences.
If you haven't already please take the time to fill this out.
You will also find an introduction to the Community Beat Officer for Aspatria, Silloth and Wigton, PC Dawn Lowerson.
Please read a bit about Dawn below and say hello if you see her out in the community.
Inspector Pete Aiston
|
 We have launched a new survey so we can hear more from women and girls on how they feel about their own personal safety in Cumbria.
We are aiming to use this information to better inform our policing services as part of ongoing work to address the national issue of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
A range of work has already been carried out as the constabulary improves and updates its services, including street patrols to deter offenders, extensive training and work with partners to help vulnerable people.
But we are always aiming to improve and are seeking first-hand experiences and opinions to help us with this.
For more on the work carried out and what we are aiming to achieve, click here: New survey launched about the personal safety of women and girls - Cumbria Constabulary
 |
|
Meet your Community Beat Officer
PC Dawn Lowerson is the new local Community Beat Officer (CBO) who is covering the Silloth, Wigton & Aspatria areas.
Dawn would like to introduce herself and give you a bit of background into her career as an officer.
"I have four years’ experience as a response officer and before that I was a PCSO for three years.
"I am looking forward to engaging and meeting with the local communities of Silloth, Wigton and Aspatria and working with the younger people."
|
Dawn has already been visiting local business in Silloth as part of her role engaging with staff as well as the local community.
Special visit for mini police
On 27 February, dog handler PC Emma Beverly visited the Mini Police at Thomlinson Junior School with PCSOs Kerry Harris & Gemma Robinson
PC Beverly brought along PD Darcy & PD Bennet, which was a treat for the Mini Police for all the hard work they have put in to doing their presentations to their classmates.
Earlier in the month they did a presentation to a year four assembly.
Anti-social behaviour talk - Beacon Hill Community School
PC Jason Stuart and PC Chloe Routledge visited Beacon Hill Community School to provide educational talks around anti-social behaviour.
Anti-social behaviour can have a detrimental impact on local communities.
There are consequences to being involved in anti-social behaviour. If offences are committed you could potentially have a criminal record, which can prevent you from travelling to some countries like America.
Cannabis
On 4 March, we stopped four young people in Flimby following them engaging in suspicious behaviour.
One of the young people, who was searched, was found to have a grinder and cannabis.
He was taken home by officers and spoken to in front of his parents. All four were not from the local area.
Damage to flowers
We received reports from members of the public that young people had pulled flowers from a planter in Flimby.
We located the young people involved, who were subsequently taken home and spoken to in front of their parents.
|
|
 |
 |
|
West Cumbria Cost of Living & Better Health Expo at Wigton
On 1 March, PCSO Luke King and PC Sam Steele attended the West Cumbria Cost of Living & Better Health Expo at Wigton Market Hall.
Luke and Sam spoke with local organisations and members of the public, providing crime prevention advice and listening to their concerns.
|
Are you taking steps to secure your home ?
Here are some tips on how to protect your home from crime:
✅Lock doors & windows before you go out.
✅Consider installing security cameras
✅Consider fitting a burglar alarm
✅Ensure side gates & sheds are locked
✅In the evening, shut the curtains & leave lights on
 The Government launched StreetSafe, as an online tool to allow people to flag places where they have felt unsafe, and describe factors that caused them concern, including anti-social behaviour or environmental reasons.
This can range from poorly paths to public harassment, these are then raised with the us whether or not a crime has been committed.
We will work with partners to address any issues raised.
If there are any public areas where you feel unsafe due to environmental issues e.g. poor street lighting, abandoned buildings, vandalism etc. please report these here - StreetSafe | Police.uk (www.police.uk)
Please note 'StreetSafe' is not for reporting crime or incidents.
Police Cadet open evenings across the county
Our first Cadet open evenings are running on the below dates.
These will work on a drop-in basis and are open to any child aged 13-17 years who is interested in joining Police Cadets.
Children must attend with a parent/guardian who is over 18 years. You will be able to meet & speak to current cadets & cadet leaders and ask any question you may have.
Please register your interest here https://forms.office.com/e/P5bAUTqsDg.
Cadet recruitment will be opening on Monday 3rd April 2023. Keep an eye on our social media & Cumbria Police website for further details.
|
We are now taking applications for Special Constables
The Special Constabulary is a voluntary body, whose officers form a vital part of the police family, working alongside their regular colleagues to police the communities of Cumbria. Specials perform a variety of police duties to support regular officers with the day-to-day policing of Cumbria.
People become a Special Constable for a variety of reasons. Some people have free time and have a desire to give something back to their community, some people are very happy in their present job but want something totally different in their spare time, some people may have wanted to work in the police but for different reasons they have gone down a different career path. Specials have the same powers as regular officers, wear the same uniform and carry the same equipment as regular officers.
In all these circumstances the Special Constabulary gives you the opportunity to have a second career. This is a great opportunity to meet people from all walks of life and gain experience in a wide range of policing duties.
For more information on being a Special Constable - click here
Apply here
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.
|
|
 |
In other news
Online predator who groomed child with gifts and money is jailed
An online predator who sent money and gifts to a girl in exchange for sexual images has been jailed for more than seven years.
Martin Cole, 32, of Greystone Place, Cleator Moor, admitted three counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, one of causing a child to watch a sexual act, three counts of making indecent images of children and possessing extreme pornography.
He was jailed for seven years and three months at Carlisle Crown Court on 9 March. Read more here.
|
Fraudster who posed as doctor jailed for seven years
A fraudster who practised for years as a psychiatrist despite never qualifying as a doctor has been jailed today for seven years.
Zholia Alemi, 60, had already served a sentence for five years following previous work by detectives in Cumbria on other offences she committed.
She was brought before Manchester Crown Court for trial for another series of crimes. Following this latest trial, she was found guilty of 13 counts of fraud, three counts of obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception, two counts of forgery and two counts of using a false instrument.
The judge in the case sentenced her to seven years imprisonment.
Alemi, formerly of Scaw Road, High Harrington, Workington, obtained registration as a doctor after going to the UK’s General Medical Council (GMC) in 1995 with numerous forged documents. Read more here.
|
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. Read more here.
|
News from our partners
Allerdale Borough Council’s Enforcement Team clean up at Keep Britain Tidy awards
Allerdale Borough Council’s Enforcement Team has scooped a prestigious award for their work keeping the borough’s streets clean and tidy.
The team were awarded the ‘Community Engagement’ prize at this year’s Keep Britain Tidy awards, which were held in Liverpool on Thursday 9 February 2023.
The team received the awards for their efforts in engaging with members of the public at events throughout Allerdale as part of its #OperationRespect campaign.
In recent years, the team has carried out a programme of engagement, education and enforcement activities across the borough. This has involved speaking with local residents about what they can do to create a cleaner, greener place to live, educating them about the services the council provides and how they can access them, and also taking enforcement action to stop those who either fail to pick up after their dog, fly-tip items, or leave litter in the streets. Partners Tivoli and Allerdale Waste Services also supported this campaign.
Find out more here: http://ow.ly/cJFu50MTSNL
Allerdale 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 Allerdale 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.
|
To receive more policing news, sign up to our other area newsletters by clicking on the links below:
|
