In this months newsletter you will read about the usual work that we do day to day but we also wanted to highlight the advice and support available for those experiencing domestic abuse.
Euro 2024 started this month and in previous years, there has been an increase in reports of domestic abuse during major football tournaments, when alcohol-fuelled nights out and inflamed emotions arise.
Officers have been planning for this possibility for some time – and are keen for those who suffer such offences to know help and support is available.
Inspector Pete Aiston
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Cumbria Police - Euro 2024: Help and advice for those experiencing domestic abuse
Euro 2024 is underway - and we hope everyone who wants to follow the football is enjoying the tournament.
Domestic abuse falls under the spotlight during big events such as this - and officers have enhanced measures to tackle offenders and protect potential victims.
Officers have been planning for this possibility for some time – and are keen for those who suffer such offences to know help and support is available.
What officers are doing
Additional visible patrols will be out in the main nightlife areas of the county.
On top of this:
- Officers will be deployed in specialist roles as part of the force’s efforts to tackle the issue of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls. These officers are trained to spot potential offenders who may target vulnerable people coming out of pubs and clubs and at taxi ranks and takeaways.
- There will be extra resources in place to attend any reports of domestic abuse at the times people may be returning home from the pub or when the whistle is being blown on big matches.
- The operational response will also include work in custody units once suspects have been arrested. As well as investigating crimes and safeguarding victims, trained officers can make referrals to other agencies to put abusers on a path to change their ways.
For more advice and support visit - Police reveal help for those experiencing domestic abuse ahead of Euro 2024 | Cumbria Police
How do you report domestic abuse to police?
If you have been the victim of domestic abuse, or are concerned for someone who is, you can report this by calling 101.
Always dial 999 in an emergency.
You can get more advice about domestic abuse here: Advice about domestic abuse | Cumbria Police
How do I access a range of support services?
You can access support services regardless of whether you have reported a crime to the police.
To access support services independently, contact Victim Support 24/7 on 0808 1689 111 – or go to: Victim Services Archive - Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner (cumbria-pcc.gov.uk)
Update on the Line, Workington
On 23 May, we held an event to officially "reopen" the Line following our Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Project.
This was attended by Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Dave Allen
You Said: Women and Girls don't feel safe using the Line 
We Did:
- Engaged with the local community, partners and stakeholders
- Secured funding through safer streets 5
- Organised a community clean up at the location
- Worked with partners and local businesses to take action
- Set up an Art project to cover up unwanted and offensive graffiti
- Cut back overgrown trees and bushes to lighten up the area
- Installed new signage
- Redesigned the landscape to make it better for everyone
Thank you to everyone who has help make this project possible, we could not have achieved this without the help of the local community, partners, local businesses, schools and volunteer organisations.
We want to make sure this area is a safe space for everyone, but especially Women and Girls in this generation and future generations.
A special Thank You goes to Westfield Nursery and Primary School for putting on a good show!
Citizens in Policing Awards
On 5 June, PCSO Rachel, Victoria Junior School Mini Police & staff had the pleasure of attending the Citizens in Policing Awards at the North Lakes Hotel in Penrith.
There were lots of fantastic recipients of the awards, all who do a fantastic job supporting their communities  .
PCSO Rachel is proud to announce that Victoria Junior School Mini Police received the award for Mini Police School of the year. All the Mini Police have done exceptional in their roles and are always keen to come up with new ideas and get involved in whatever is asked of them, they are a credit to the School and to PCSO Rachel. As always they behaved impeccable at the awards.
A big well done to you all and a big thankyou to all the staff from Victoria School for always helping out and going the extra mile to assist in the Mini Police programme.
Proactive patrols carried out over school holidays
Officers were out proactively on patrol in the Workington area in the weekends running up to and during the week of the May half term.
There has been a recent trend during the evenings, weekends and school holidays of young people persistently targeting a number of addresses in the Workington area with them behaving in an antisocial manner and committing crimes.
We currently have a number of investigations ongoing in relation to offences committed by youths at these addresses.
This behaviour has had a detrimental impact on those targeted. These households and the rest of the community should not have to be afraid in their own homes.
If you have been part of this behaviour think for a moment. Did you see any CCTV cameras in the vicinity when you were committing your crimes?
Police have been going through CCTV in the area over recent weeks and have been working with organisations and agencies in order to identify those responsible.
There is simply no excuse for such behaviour and the same old excuses given by young offenders and unfortunately some of their parents is nothing short of appalling and shameful. The officers out on the front line simply have no time for such excuses and will not entertain them.
Everybody should be allowed to feel safe and go out and enjoy the community they live in.
If anyone wishes to report antisocial behaviour in their community they can do so by calling 101. Alternatively they can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
In an emergency 999 should be called.
Anti-social behaviour - Great Clifton
We have been made aware of reports of anti social behaviour in the Great Clifton area of Workington. Young people are targeting a number of addresses and behaving in an unacceptable manner towards other members of the community.
The anti-social behaviour which residents are dealing with, is having a negative impact on their lives and this will not be tolerated. Residents should not feel unsafe in their own homes and their community.
PC Luke McKenna and PCSO Liam Forrester will continue to patrol the area and take appropriate action if anyone is seen causing anti social behaviour in the area.
No excuses from young people or their parents will be accepted.
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Man arrested following stop search
On 26 May, some children in a Workington park approached officers who raised concerns about a suspicious looking male.
A stop search was conducted under the Misuse of Drugs Act and a number of drugs were seized and the male arrested.
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Pupils create road safety posters
The pupils from Ashfield Infants School Council have created these posters after their meeting with PCSO Rachel last month.
These were made after pupils reported parents driving fast and not considering the safety of children in the area of 'mansion gardens', Workington.
PCSO Rachel will be in the area over the next few weeks handing these out to parents whilst they are collecting their children.
The children have done a great job with these and they hope that adults pay attention to the posters and consider the safety of the school children.
Appeal can you assist?
We are investigating a series of vehicle interferences and burglaries which have taken place between 11 pm on 11 May and 4.30am on 12 May in Workington.
The incidents have taken place on the following streets: Wesley Street, Rydal Street, Napier Street, Hillcrest, Burrow walls and Corporation Road.
Police are appealing for anyone in these areas to check their CCTV and provide it to police should it contain anything of note. The suspects in the case are men in full tracksuits with their hoods up and a woman in a black dress.
Police have arrested four people in relation to this case on suspicion of burglary and a number of vehicle interferences. The arrested people have been a man aged 31 from Workington, a man aged 27 from Whitehaven, a 16-year-old boy from Workington and a woman aged 25 from Workington.
All have been released on bail whilst officers continue to conduct enquiries.
Anyone with information or CCTV relating to this incident can report online at https://orlo.uk/mPn2Y , quoting incident number 115 of 12/05/2024. You can also phone on 101.Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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Meeting with The Buzz
On 31 May, Community Beat Officer PC Catherine Higson and PCSO Liam Forrester attended the Carnegie Theatre in Workington to speak to The Buzz who are campaigning for a social hub for young people in the area of Workington.
The Buzz are a group of sixth formers from Workington Academy who are part of the Leading Change programme led by the Centre of Leadership.
They were speaking to people in the community about their research into what the local community of Workington needs. They identified the need for a social hub for young people and pitched their ideas to those who attended the event.
It was great to see so many young people engaging with local organisations and agencies and investing their time to help their community.
Street safe conducted
PCSO Rachel Pape has been on foot patrol in Workington Town the morning of 25 May, speaking with locals and visitors to the area.
A streetsafe has also been conducted in the area of Portland Street/Elizabeth Street - if you have received one and you have any issues please complete and return.
Community reporting is vital to receive an effective Policing response and without communities passing on the information of the issues in their area, we may never become aware of it as a problem.
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Out for the Euros?
Make sure you celebrate responsibly and make plans to get home.
Designated driver, bus or cab, don’t put other at risk by drink driving.
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StreetSafe is a service that allows you to report safety concerns in public places without giving us your name.
This includes issues like poorly lit streets, abandoned buildings, or vandalism, as well as instances where you feel unsafe due to someone following or verbally abusing you.
Report an issue here: StreetSafe | Cumbria Police
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