Police in Barrow have seen a significant reduction in anti-social behaviour calls for service in hotspot areas since the introduction of Operation Enhance.
Operation Enhance sees extra police patrols in areas identified as hotspots for anti-social behaviour and/or serious violence across the county. Its aims is to reduce ASB, reduce the number of victims of ASB and reduce calls for service to ASB incidents.
Six months in to the operation, hotspot areas regularly patrolled as part of the operation have seen a 39.1%% decrease in ASB calls for service.*
Barrow Town Centre, Hindpool, Salthouse and Barrow Island have all seen a reduction in ASB after being identified by statistical analysis as the town’s hotspot areas of ASB and serious violence.
Sergeant John Dilks, Barrow Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “By conducting these foot patrols it allows us to actively engage with the public and engage and educate those involved in ASB and disorder.
“I am pleased that we have seen a 31% reduction in ASB related calls for service as part of Operation Enhance.”
The Neighbourhood Policing Team have also been targeting reports of off-road bikes being driven anti-socially and dangerously in Barrow Park by teaming up with the force’s Roads Policing Unit (RPU) to continue Operation Leopard.
Operation Leopard, which was successful in 2024 in taking these type of bikes off the road, involved both high visibility and covert patrols to identify and safely apprehend those responsible for those riding these type of bikes in a dangerous and irresponsible manner, putting the public at risk.
Speaking on Operation Leopard Sgt Dilks continued: “We are fully aware these issues are not always confined to Barrow Park, and we encourage all members of the public to contact us if your neighbourhood is suffering this form of ASB.
“Operation Leopard is a multi-department multi-skilled approach to this problem, and we will use all our tactics available to combat these riders. The nights are already drawing out and there will once again be regular patrols across the whole of Barrow and Furness as we approach Spring.
“We encourage all our community to enjoy our beautiful public park safely and responsibly and we will continue to target those intent on causing a nuisance in our communities.”
This work forms part of the Constabulary’s pledge towards Neighbourhood Policing.
The pledge outlines our commitment to providing a quality policing service for the people of Cumbria through tackling crime and anti-social behaviour .
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “Operation Enhance is all about placing extra patrols in our hotspot areas for anti-social behaviour and serious violence to make our communities feel safer and more welcoming.
“There are 18 hotspots across the county, with four being in the Barrow-in-Furness area so I’m really pleased to see that ASB has dropped as a whole across the town.
“I really hope that residents are seeing a difference in the area and will continue to report any crime to the Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
“As your Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, my role is to be your voice in Policing. 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 commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk. I want to hear your views.”