Operation Enhance officers followed their noses in October, as hotspot patrol officers made a further 11 arrests whilst targeting antisocial behaviour and serious violence in the county.
Operation Enhance sees extra police patrols in areas identified as hotspots for anti-social behaviour and/or serious violence across the county.
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.
The operation sees extra patrols in 18 areas identified by statistical analysis as the county's hotspot areas of anti-social behaviour and serious violence. These areas include areas of Carlisle, Barrow, Workington, Whitehaven, Kendal, Penrith, Maryport, Cleator Moor, Ulverston and Bowness-on-Windermere.
As well as providing high-visibility patrols, these officers also proactively respond to criminality and safeguarding issues that arise in their patrol locality.
Officers on hotspot patrol in the Union Street area of Ulverston on 16 October came across a van which smelt strongly of cannabis.
The driver was subject of a roadside drug test which returned positive for cannabis. He was also searched and officers found upon his person two lock knives, as well as cannabis.
He was arrested on suspicion of two counts of possession of an offensive weapon, possession of a class B drug and drug driving. He was released on police bail pending further enquiries.
A second man was in the van and was also searched. He too was found to be in possession of cannabis.
Robert Robinson, 37, of Little Union Street, Ulverston, was charged with possession of cannabis.
Whilst Operation Enhance patrols are primarily a high-visibility deterrent to crime, they are also encouraged to break off from their planned patrols if necessary to deal swiftly with offenders.
On 19 October, patrol officers in Carlisle city centre broke off from their patrol after spotted a man wanted man. The 33-year-old was apprehended as he was wanted for two counts of failing to attend court and recall to prison.
Similarly, officers in Bowness had to conclude their patrol early after stopping a driver who subsequently failed a roadside alcohol test.
Simon Briscoe, 33, of Oak Street, Leigh, near Wigan, was subsequently charged with drink-driving, driving without insurance and driving without a license.
Officers on patrols have also reported positive interactions with the public. A couple of officers on patrol in Workington reported a positive interaction with youths who had previously had issues with the police in the past but were still happy and encouraged to see officers in the town centre.
Over the first four months of Operation Enhance, 143 stop and searches have been conducted, 358 intelligence submissions have been submitted and ASB powers have been used on 13 occasions.
In addition, the Operation Enhance officers have made a total of 44 arrests.
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “Operation Enhance is all about making our communities safer for you – the residents of Cumbria.
“These 18 hotspots were identified by looking at data from the past four years and finding out where most of our ASB and serious violence takes place so that we can use the extra £1m to put extra resources where they are needed. This is a really intelligent, evidence led use of resources and money to best effect.
“Four months in and we are seeing the results from our extra patrols.
“Cumbria as a whole, has seen a reduction in anti-social behaviour by 17.2 per cent from April 2024 compared to the same time period in 2023 so we know that Operation Enhance is having a positive effect on our communities.
“If you live in one of the Hotspots – which you can find on the Cumbria Police website – and have or haven’t seen a difference, please let me know at Report antisocial behaviour | Cumbria Police 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: Op Enhance | Cumbria Police