Neighbourhood policing teams in west Cumbria are targeting youth anti-social behaviour following numerous reports of incidents in Whitehaven, Workington and Egremont.
The reports include item thrown at vehicles, kicking doors, climbing scaffolding putting themselves at risk and large groups of young people causing issues.
The reports have led to dispersal orders being put in place which provides officers an enhanced ability to direct individuals engaging in anti-social behaviour to leave the area and not return for a defined period. If they return, they risk being arrested.
- In Workington on Friday 17 October, a dispersal order was authorised with one boy dispersed and returned by officers to his home address.
- In Whitehaven on Friday 17 October, a dispersal order was authorised follow reports of items being thrown and persons on the roof of shop and concern for their safety. Individuals were identified and ‘Its Your Choice’ form submitted. Two young people dispersed and taken home, the following day officers conducted revisit after they were identified as being on the roof and dangers of this behaviour discussed.
- In Workington on Saturday 18 October, on boy dispersed and returned home following report of items thrown from a bridge.
- In Workington Sunday 19 October, officers a arrested and de-arrested a boy for public order offences and returned home to his parents and dispersed three boys from the area
- In Whitehaven Sunday 19 October, officers authorised a dispersal order following a number of incidents in relation to the night-time economy. This included an affray witnessed by officers who spoke to those involved, investigations are ongoing.
Cumberland BCU Neighbourhood Policing Chief Inspector Richard Smillie said “Unfortunately over recent weekends we have seen an increase in call to services.
“This directs officers away from responding to other calls for service.
“Officers from both Allerdale and Copeland NPT will continue to conduct high visibility and plain clothed patrols to deter this behaviour and identify those involved with robust action being taken.
“We would ask parents and guardians to make sure they know where their children are and to talk to them about the impact of this type of activity and the consequences.
Officers will be reviewing CCTV footage of incidents to identify those involved who will be visited by officers.
'It's Your Choice' forms will be issued to update parents on the behaviour of their children for those offences that fall below a criminal offence. The forms result in letters being sent home, home visits, and intervention work to change behaviour.
Young people who have been dispersed in recent weeks will be dealt with appropriately by officers.
Contact us via our website at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it or call 101. In an emergency always dial 999.
Operation Enhance is funded after Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner secured an additional £1m of extra funding from the Government’s Hotspot Response Fund to target anti-social behaviour (ASB) and serious violence in hotspot areas across the county.
There are increased patrols in Whitehaven and Workington as part of Operation Enhance.Further information on the operation can be found here - Op Enhance | Cumbria Police