Welcome to this months newsletter, I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new Inspector for the Allerdale Neighbourhood Policing Team.
A bit about me, I've been the Inspector for the Allerdale Neighbourhood Policing Team previously and have just moved from my role in response policing.
Below in the other news section you will see an update on the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. Cumbria will benefit from 46 additional staff. This means 26 extra police officers on the beat, 12 PCSOs and 8 Special Constables as a result of this Government funding. This almost doubles the existing neighbourhood offer in Cumbria.
Inspector Steven Waddell
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Operation Bologna: Targeting drug use and supply in west Cumbria
An operation has been carried out in Allerdale and Copeland that has seen warrants conducted at properties targeting the supply of drugs.
Operation Bologna was conduct on Friday 11 April, and was funded by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen as part of the Drugs Fund.
The operation started with five misuse of drug act warrants in addresses in Millom and Maryport and Distington.
A 39-year-old man arrested on suspicion of processing criminal property and supply of a controlled drug Class B following a warrant at a property on Mosedale Crescent, Maryport. He was released under investigation
Over 11 licenced premises visited across Copeland and Allerdale with the drug scanning dog used.
Read more here - Operation Bologna: Targeting drug use and supply in west Cumbria - Cumbria Constabulary
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Operation Enhance
We have dedicated, high-visibility patrols across Cumbria, including in Allerdale, targeting anti-social behaviour and serious violence – Operation Enhance.
Did you know we have an online reporting mechanism specifically for reporting anti-social behaviour?
Report antisocial behaviour by visiting the constabulary’s website https://orlo.uk/oFhGU or our non-emergency number 101.
In an emergency always call 999. Information and intelligence from the public is vital so we can work together to tackle issues in their communities.
Last month alone, we received 46 intelligence submissions as part of Operation Enhance.
The operation has been made possible thanks to £1 million of extra funding secured by Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner from the Government’s Hotspot Response Fund to target anti-social behaviour (ASB) and serious violence in hotspot areas across the county.
Find out more about Operation Enhance: https://orlo.uk/2HQDW
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Police and Communities Together Survey (PACT) - Maryport, Flimby and Dearham area
If you have any ongoing neighbourhood problems in the Maryport, Flimby and Dearham area and would like us to consider them, or would like to meet the us to discuss them, please fill out the linked community survey.
This survey closes on Friday 25th April 2025
Warning following scam calls
Police are issuing a warning to people to be on their guard against scam phone calls after a number were reported to police today.
The report was of the victim receiving a scam call from someone claiming to be a police officer and that the victims bank card has been used by someone.
The scam can differ slightly from call to call.
But the fraudsters often request bank details, money to be sent electronically, cash to be withdrawn at the bank for collection or expensive items to be bought for collection at a later time.
Police and other agencies would never request this.
If you have any concern that the person on the phone may be a fraudster, put the phone down and call the police from a different phone on 101 for advice and guidance.
Officers are asking anyone who has been victim to such a scam to come forward.
If you receive a call you’re not expecting, you should be suspicious. The vital things to remember are that your bank, other agencies and the police would:
• Never ask you for your bank account details or PIN number over the phone.
• Never ask you to withdraw money and send it to them via a courier, taxi, bank transfer or by any other means.
• Never ask you to send your bank cards or any other personal property to them via courier, taxi or by any other means.
• If you have any doubts about the identity of the person that you are speaking with, put the phone down and attend the bank or police station in person, wherever possible, to discuss the call you have received, or call a trusted number for the bank or police using a different telephone than the one that you have been contacted on.
We ask that the public please share this information with any vulnerable friends or family.
If you think you have been the victim of a fraud you can report this to police on 101 and to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 – or by visiting their website at https://orlo.uk/5Ej0X
Road safety talk
On 17 March, PCSO Pete Nichol has been into Richmond Hill school Aspatria with the mini police.
They delivered an assembly on road safety to the rest of the school.
This was a really important assembly as Richmond Hill school is on a very busy road and a lot of the children must get across everyday.
Well done Richmond Hill mini police a brilliant effort.
A good deed for the community
On 18 March, PCSO Pete Nichol and Richmond Hill mini police as part of the doing a good deed for the community visited me to Park Lodge residential home in Aspatria.
This was the children's idea they wanted to play board games and do the nails of the residents to make them feel special.
The residents and pupils had a lovely day together, well done Richmond Hill school mini police,
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School talk following damage to grounds
On 20 March, PCSO Harris attended Flimby School to speak to the year 6 students, this was due to reports being received that young people had been into the school grounds on a weekend and evening, causing damage.
There was also concern regarding the safety of the youths due to them climbing over a wall with a spiked fence on it, we really don't want any reports of children seriously hurting themselves.
Arrest made following report from member of the public
On 5 April, following reports from a member of the public about people smoking cannabis in vehicles at Lidl, Maryport.
PCs Alex Ostle and Callum Lofthouse arrested a male under Section 5A of the Road Traffic Act on the A595, near to Cockermouth after the driver tested positive for Cannabis
This male had only passed his driving test 2 days ago...
Driving under the influence will never be acceptable and we will continue to target offenders who use our roads whilst using these substances.
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Drug Activity Community Appeal
A DACA (Drug Activity Community Appeal) was distributed in Silloth and Abbeytown by PCSO Pete Nichol.
This allows residents to report drug dealing anonymously by posting the leaflets back.
We are looking to challenge the use and supply of drugs in this area.
Tell us about:
👉Suspicious activity on your street
👉Suspicious people or vehicles on your street
👉Drug supply in your community
👉Any concerns about crime in your neighbourhood
Anyone with information can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it.
Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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Neurodiversity awareness week (17 - 23 March)
We have a small team of people within our Neighbourhood Policing team that work around Neurodiversity.
Sergeant Neil McKinnell coordinates the outreach work that is been done with the Charity Allerdale Copeland autism support
He oversees the visits and does work behind the scenes to make sure all of this comes together.
He also works with any external agencies that we work in partnership around neurodiversity and this often takes the form of meetings or zoom calls to facilitate joint working.
Sgt McKinnell also has a role to oversee internal work that is been done within the force to support members of staff who may feel they are neurodiverse and may just want sign posting or added work place guidance. The work behind the scenes is vital to allow the work to continue.
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During Neurodiversity Awarerness week, on 21 March PCSO Pete Nichol and Shirley Murphy from Allerdale Autism support are visiting families in Maryport and Silloth who have had police contact and may be neurodiverse.
This work is overseen by Inspector Pete Aiston.
This work is solely the work of Allerdale Neighbourhood policing team along with the charity to reach out to neurodiverse individuals who may need support or sign posting.
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Do you have a shed or garage?
Many people don’t secure their shed or garage in the same way they do their homes.
Sheds and outbuildings can also provide opportunist burglars with the tools they need to break into your home
 Lock all doors and windows and keep keys are secure
 Remove keys from locks and keep them out of reach and out of sight
 Consider installing CCTV
Got information?
- Report online at
- Phone 101
- Dial 999 in an emergency
- You can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
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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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