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Maryport, Aspatria & Silloth |
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Welcome to the October edition of your Neighbourhood Policing Newsletter.
Our team continue to work hard to keep our community safe, connected, and informed.
From tackling anti-social behaviour and our area priorities it’s been a busy and productive few weeks.
In the run up to Halloween and Bonfire Night we have been carrying out talks in schools on how young people can keep themselves safe over the period.
Inspector Steve Waddell
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Cannabis farm located in Maryport
On 4 October, we were called at 2:59pm to the report of a Cannabis Farm at an address on Senhouse Street, Maryport.
Officers have dismantled and seized the plants and equipment, and investigations are ongoing.
Anyone with information relating to this incident can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it, quoting incident number 132 of 4 October 2025.
You can also phone on 101.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Signs of a Cannabis Farm to watch out for include:
- Strong, sickly smells coming from properties
- Properties where the windows are constantly covered
- Excessive security around properties, such as CCTV
- High levels of unusual condensation on windows
- Lots of visitors – and at unsociable hours
- Bright lights day and night
- Constant buzz of ventilation
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Man charged following burglary
Detectives investigating a burglary at Maryport Rugby Club have charged a man.
John Paul Chawner, 26, of no fixed address, is charged with committing burglary on September 30.
Investigations have been underway since that date and Chawner was charged yesterday.
Following this, Chawner appeared before Carlisle’s magistrates’ court today.
He was remanded in custody to next appear before Carlisle Crown Court on November 17.
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No tax? No insurance? No MOT?
On 1 October, officers seized this vehicle in Maryport
The vehicle had no tax, no insurance and no MOT.
And not forgetting to mention, parked in a dangerous location.
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Litter pick community resolution
On 18 September, as part of a community resolution PCSO Pete Nichol has been on a litter pick in Aspatria with a young person involved in anti-social behaviour.
They also wrote and delivered a letter of apology to the victim.
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New cohort of Mini Police
On 6 October, PCSO Pete Nichol has been into Richmond Hill school Aspatria for the new mini police interviews.
Well done year 5 and welcome to this year's mini police.
On 3 October, PCSO Harris has been into Ewanrigg School Maryport to welcome this years new Mini Police, they all look very smart in their uniforms and are looking forward to the year ahead.
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School talk
On 1 October, PCSO Pete visited Allonby school to talk about being safe on Bonfire night and antisocial behaviour (ASB) around Halloween 
There were a lot of very enthusiastic questions thank you Allonby school.
Advice for parents on ASB can be found here - Parent/Carers – Safe4Me
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Neurodiversity talk
On 24 September, PCSO Pete Nichol and Shirley Murphy from Autism support Allerdale and Copeland have been into Oughterside school to talk about neurodiversity.
It was really nice to interact with the pupils about conditions such as autism and ADHD don't have to be barriers to succeed in life.
It was a fantastic morning with some really great questions.
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 Lock all doors and windows before you go out and ensure your house and keys are secure before you go to bed
 Remove keys from locks and keep them out of reach and out of sight, not on a hall table
 Consider keeping a light or lamp on if you are out at night
 Make sure valuables are not stored in vehicles overnight
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Aspatria army cadets
On 29 September, PCSO Pete Nichol has been into Aspatria army cadets to talk about the role of the police.
It was a great evening with the cadets and Pete who is ex armed forces had a really great interaction with all those present.
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School talk on anti-social behaviour
On 29 September, PCSO Kerry Harris has been into Dearham School to conduct an assembly on ASB and the effects and consequences of this, the children engaged well.
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Dedicated PCSO wins award for work helping people
A PCSO who is part of our neighbourhood police team in Workington has been awarded for his work in the community supporting people with neurodivergent conditions.
Pete Nichol does so to prevent people becoming a victim of crime, so he can help others turn away from offending and to stop people getting into trouble in the first place.
Pete was nominated by the public for the Public Sector Champion Award at the Diverse Cumbria Awards.
He won his category at the event at Carlisle Racecourse on Saturday. The awards celebrate equality and diversity in Cumbria.
Pete has served the community working for Cumbria Police as a PCSO for 13 years and has been in the neighbourhood police team in Workington for six years.
The award has been described as a “testament to his dedication”, while Pete himself was keen to pay tribute to those he works with.
He said: “It was an honour to be nominated and to have won this award for the work we do in Cumberland around neurodiversity.
“This work is carried out with Shirley Murphy from Autism Support Allerdale and Copeland - but she could not be there on the night.
“Rachel Parkinson, who is the fund-raising consultant for the charity, stepped in and she is also the sister of a serving police officer in Cumbria police.
“It was such a privilege to be recognised for the work the neighbourhood policing team do with neurodiversity.”
Sergeant Neil McKinnell said: “Pete is a great example of a PCSO.
“He is out-and-about in the community developing relationships and has worked with support groups to ensure they have a link-in to the force and so we can help where we can to the best of our ability.
“Schools value his inputs and he is a great role model.
“He has been working over several years to provide support and diversion to people either diagnosed with, or suspected to have, neurodivergent conditions who are at risk of contact with the criminal justice system.
“This could be either as a victim or perpetrator of crime or anti-social behaviour.
“The aim is to provide support and information to help people understanding their behaviour. This allows them to divert themselves away from further police contact.
“To be recognised publicly for this work is an excellent achievement and a testament to his dedication."
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OPERATION ENHANCE: Officers continue to keep your streets safe!
Police Officers in Copeland continue to keep your streets safe as part of Operation Enhance. The Operation aims to tackle anti-social behaviour and serious violence in hotspot areas across the county.
Officers are out as part of Operation Enhance seven days a week across Cumbria. You might not always see us, but we’re there – with officers deployed daily in hotspot areas, tackling anti-social behaviour and serious violence. We’re out there, keeping communities safe. Want to see us in action? Head over to our Facebook page for videos of us out on patrol.
So, what difference is Operation Enhance making in your community? Anti-social behaviour continues to drop. In our Allerdale hotspots, Workington and Maryport Town Centre, ASB dropped by 28.6% (7 reports down to 5) in August 2025 compared to August 2024. Across the county, serious violence dropped by 21.4% (42 offences down to 33).
As part of Operation Enhance, officers are out seven days a week across Cumbria. You might not always see us, but we’re there – with officers deployed daily in hotspot areas, tackling anti-social behaviour and serious violence. We’re out there, keeping communities safe. Want to see us in action? Follow us on Allerdale Police Facebook to keep up with everything we do to keep you safe.
The Operation has been made possible thanks to £1 million of extra funding secured by David Allen, Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner from the Government’s Hotspot Response Fund.
As part of the operation, the public is encouraged to report anti-social behaviour by visiting the constabulary’s website https://orlo.uk/gKvGc 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.
Find out more about Operation Enhance: https://orlo.uk/ec9p7
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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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Upcoming community
police events 🚓
📌 Maryport Library
📆 Wed 12 November 2025
⏰ 3:00PM - 4:00PM
For more information, please visit our website and enter your postcode in the Your Area section.
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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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Have you ever thought about being a police officer?
You could make a real difference to people in Cumbria and help keep them safe.
Not sure if policing is for you?
This short quiz should be able to help ⬇️
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Which route is right for you?
⚪ Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship
Did you know you can join Cumbria Constabulary as a degree apprentice and work towards a degree whilst serving as a student officer with active frontline duties?
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⚪Police Constable Entry Programme (PCEP)
This is a two year programme which gives a blend of practical on-the-job experience and classroom-based learning.
Once you leave training school, you will then go onto to your allocated station then eventually go onto independent patrols and will be assessed for the remainder of the two-year programme.
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⚪Professional Policing Degree Graduate (PPD)
To be eligible to apply, you will need to have taken a three-year BSc professional policing programme offered by universities that are licensed and validated to deliver the degree by the College of Policing.
For more information about the entry route and the role visit: Job profile
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⚪PCEP DC pathway
Our Detective entry programme (PCEP DC) is open for applications.
The two year programme is designed to equip you with all the skills and training necessary to ensure that on completion you will be a highly competent detective constable.
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⚪Transferees
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We are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated people to apply now to join us.
For more information on police officer entry routes and staff roles, please visit www.cumbria.police.uk/careers.
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Extra measures put in place to prevent spiking in Cumbria - and keep nights out safe for all
Work to stop spiking is being stepped up in Cumbria this week to tie in with the return of students to university – and to help keep nights out as safe as possible for all. Anti-spiking products will be handed out and advice offered to people heading out to pubs, restaurants, clubs and venues. Police patrols are also being carried out in some of the busier nightlife areas in and around this period to offer reassurance and advice.
Agencies and organisations including Cumbria Police, the University of Cumbria, the Office of the Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council are backing the work. Read more here.
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Police urge victims of romance fraud to speak up, stressing: It's never your fault
Police in Cumbria are reminding victims of romance fraud it is never their fault if they have been targeted – with scammers preying on people’s emotions to swindle them out of money.
Officers are urging people to speak up if they have been targeted and not to feel embarrassed or stupid as fraudsters have no scruples about exploiting people’s feelings to get their hands on cash.
Romance fraud happens when a person thinks they have met a new partner or romantic interest through a dating website, app or through social media.
But, in fact, a fraudster is using a fake profile to form a relationship with them.
They will gain the person’s trust and ask for money or enough personal information to steal the victim’s identity. Read more here.
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Please report any incidents of crime or anti-social behaviour to us, to help us keep Cumbria 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.
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Your feedback helps us to ensure we are providing information that you find useful and interesting about policing in your area.
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