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A welcome from Inspector Massey

Welcome to the first newsletter of 2026, we’d like to take a moment to thank our community for your continued support and partnership throughout last year. In this months newsletter you will read some of the activities we have been doing over December and into the new year such as targeting drink and drug drivers and our patrol activities.  Happy New Year from your Neighbourhood Policing Team. Inspector Richard Massey - Copeland Neighbourhood Policing Team

Essential News and Updates

Cumbria’s Neighbourhood Policing Teams keep communities safe and drive down crime across county in 2025

Neighbourhood Teams across the county have reduced crime and anti-social behaviour across the county this year.

Cumbria’s six Neighbourhood Policing Teams have achieved impressive results over the past year, with neighbourhood crime down 12.2% and anti-social behaviour (ASB) incidents reduced by 30.5%.

This has been supplemented by the work of Operation Enhance- the force’s ongoing ASB hotspot operation.

Crimes such as burglary, robbery and vehicle offences have also reduced.

Teams are not only reducing crime but also taking a proactive approach by exercising their powers, conducting 1,219 stop searches, with 18.1% yielding positive results. Read more here.

Man charged following fail to stop

In September, we told you about a vehicle that failed to stop for PC James Wrigley and PC Emily Tyson. The driver of the vehicle was arrested at the scene for a number of road traffic offences. In December, Kai Scudamore, aged 18 from Millom has been charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, driving otherwise in accordance with a license and having no insurance. Scudamore will have his day in court in the new year. The police urge eagle eyed members of the public to report any road safety concerns they may have, dangerous and disqualified drivers pose a significant risk to law abiding road users and we need your help to target them effectively. You can report using 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers 0800555111, please use 999 in an emergency.

Vehicle uplifted

On 10 December, we uplifted a vehicle in Millom for having no tax. It is the owners responsibility to ensure their vehicles are correctly taxed, insured and have an MOT. We will continue to target any individuals who do not adhere to this in order to maintain road safety.

Vehicle stopped and seized

On 1 January, in Haverigg, Millom Community Beat Officer PC James Wrigley and PC Emily Tyson stopped a vehicle for being driven without insurance and for the driver only having a provisional driving licence. The vehicle was subsequently uplifted under section 165 Road Traffic Act and the driver was reported for the offences.

Help stop criminals cashing in on your Christmas

Reports of house burglaries are down by 11 per cent in Cumbria - but police are far from complacent this Christmas and want residents to help stop criminals cashing in on the festive season.

Officers are asking everyone to check they are taking basic measures such as locking doors and keeping an eye on their belongings while out-and-about this festive season.

Burglars and thieves can strike at any time of the year – but town and city centres are busier and people may be taking delivery of expensive items in the run up to December 25.

Operation Merlin: Class A drug dealing suspects among 19 arrests across county

A four-day operation across Cumbria targeting wanted men and women resulted in 19 arrests for offences including supply of Class A drugs, prison recall and a man sought for breach of a serious crime prevention order.

Op Merlin is Cumbria Constabulary’s on-going operation seeking out wanted individuals, including through the execution of warrants at addresses.

Officer visits warm hub

On 5 December, Community Beat Officer PC Matthew Garett visited the warm hub at Drigg.

Conversations were had about concerns in the local community, but the highlight of the visit had to be meeting Jake the terrier, who tried to audition for the role of a Police Dog by showing the he was really good at nibbling fingers and sleeves.

Unfortunately he's probably a bit too small to get the job, but the effort was appreciated! 

Support is available

Unfortunately for a lot of people Christmas and New Year is not the "happiest time of the year" 

The pressure to feel joyful can leave many feeling lonely, isolated and struggling with their mental health

Be kind to each other, check in with your neighbours , especially the more vulnerable members of our communities.

Reach out to friends , these small gestures can make a huge difference to a person in need 

If you need help over the Festive period here are a few services that can offer support & guidance.

Please don't struggle alone

• Samaritans - 116123
• Text SHOUT to 85258
• SANEline- 0300 304 7000
• Mind- 0300 123 3393
• Papyrus- 0800 068 4141
• YoungMinds text YM to 85258

Our Priorities - You said, we did

Operation Enhance keeping you safe in hotspot areas

Officers continue to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) in our hotspots as part of Operation Enhance. Across the county, ASB has fallen by 18.6% in the 15 hotspot areas between 1 August 2025 and 30 November 2025. Copeland has seen a reduction in ASB by 26.9% across the three hotspots: Whitehaven Town Centre, Flatt Walks, Whitehaven and Cleator Moor. Our Officers are out speaking to residents and businesses over the festive season to ensure any concerns are addressed and that we are visible in our communities. See us hit the streets in our local patrol videos on social media. Officers are working with Whitehaven Pubwatch to warn the public that they could be banned from socialising in Whitehaven for two Christmases if they engage in criminal behaviour. Everyone deserves to go out and enjoy themselves but if you break the law, you could be banned from two years, five years or even face a lifetime ban. Do you have any assumptions about Operation Enhance? Inspector Damien Mottram covers all your burning questions about the extra patrols in our assumptions video. 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. 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

Upcoming community
police events 🚓

📌 Millom Library
⏰  Sat 10 January 2026, 3pm to 4pm

📌  Thwaites Village Hall
⏰  Sat 10 January 2026, 5pm to 6pm

📌  The Byre car park, Bootle
⏰  Sun 11 January 2026, 3pm to 4pm

📌  Haverigg beach car park (opposite Betty's café) 
⏰  Sun 11 January 2026, 5pm to 6pm

For more information, please visit our website and enter your postcode in the Your Area section.

Your local officers

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. 

Crime Figures

Further information can be found on Police.uk

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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.

Transferees

Do you or someone you know work for another force? Looking for a new challenge? When you join Cumbria Police you will have new opportunities and with this, you will be able to make a positive difference to the lives of those who live here.

We are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated people to apply now to join us.

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