Neighbourhood Teams across the county are supporting the 2025 national Neighbourhood Policing week of action - a week celebrating local, community and neighbourhood policing - which starts today (Monday 23 June).
Throughout the week we will be highlighting and sharing some of the work our Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) do across Cumbria on our social media channels, recognising the efforts they put in on a daily basis to help reduce crime and keep people safe.
Cumbria Police has six NPTs covering the whole of Cumbria and its rural areas. Each NPT is made up of Community Beat Officers (PCs), PCSOs, sometimes members of the Specials Constabulary, and led by Sergeants and Inspectors.
As well as patrolling their neighbourhoods, they work to tackle local crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour related issues. They often do this by working with partner agencies such as local councils, housing providers and of course our local residents themselves.
A national survey recently found Cumbria Police be the number one force in England and Wales for understanding residents’ concerns.
Results from the survey, used by the Government to measure crime and develop ways of tackling it, also revealed Cumbria was second in England and Wales for the percentage of people who agreed the force and their local council were dealing with the anti-social behaviour and crime issues that mattered.
As part of the governments Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, Cumbria will receive £1.68 million from the Home Office to recruit an additional 46 staff into NPTs across Cumbria, meaning more officers and PCSOs on the streets, building relationships with the communities we serve.
Throughout the week of action, the work of the neighbourhood teams will be highlighted by the local teams themselves on their own social media channels and shared onto our force accounts – Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Chief Superintendent Andy Wilkinson, Neighbourhood Policing Lead, said: “Neighbourhood Policing Week gives us the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the outstanding work that officers and staff in our NPTs are doing to keep our communities safe.
“They are at the heart of their communities and are a huge part of day-to-day policing in Cumbria.
“Having these visible, community focussed officers mean we are able to offer an accessible police presence and gain a greater understanding of the issues which need to be addressed – especially within our more rural locations.
“I am extremely proud of the role they perform, not just during this week, but every day.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “One of my key priorities as Commissioner is to place more resource into neighbourhood policing. It’s one area that is constantly raised with me that the public want to see more bobbies on the beat.
“The extra £1.68m from the Government allows us to put more resources in which I am extremely pleased about.
“Neighbourhood Policing Teams are vital in gaining local knowledge and intelligence and for building trust and confidence with local residents – this trust is incredibly important, and I want to ensure that this is fostered with as much support as possible.
“I want to thank our NPTs for all the fantastic work they do in keeping the public safe – especially as we head into summer and see a rise in visitors from all over the world.
“Keeping our communities safe is a joint effort so I would ask residents to continue to report any criminal activity or suspicious behaviour to the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Every report helps us build intelligence to protect Cumbria’s safety.”