A crackdown on anti-social behaviour and serious violence in Penrith has been hailed a success so far.
The area is one of 18 hotspot areas in the county that was awarded £1 million to clamp down on offending by deploying extra police patrols.
Hotspot policing is in operation in Penrith town centre and New Square as part of the operation, called Enhance.
Eden Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector Mo Bibby said: “Penrith town centre and New Squares are busy parts of our town and by using hotspot patrols we are able to prevent and reduce anti-social behaviour and crime.
“A recent success has seen us work alongside our child centred policing team colleagues and the Youth Offending Service, in relation to two youth anti-social behaviour nominals in the area. Since our positive enforcement no further offences have been committed.
“We know our hotspot patrols are making a difference and we will continue to carry out patrols in areas within our communities where we know crime or anti-social behaviour is taking place.”
The team also secured an anti-social behaviour injunction against Harvey Sadik, 18, of Greystone Park, Penrith.
On 12 September, Sadik was sentenced to 34 days in prison after breaching a previously imposed injunction. His injunction was also extended for another year.
The civil injunction order imposed by the courts forbids Sadik from:
- Using or threatening to use violence towards any person either by himself or encouraging any person to do so
- Engaging in any conduct which causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to any person either by himself or encouraging any person to do so
- Being under the influence of alcohol or drug in a public place.
This order shall remain in place until September 15 2025.
Insp Bibby added: “Extensive work was carried out by the Eden Neighbourhood Policing Team to achieve this civil injunction which will prevent further violent and anti-social behaviour carried out by this individual. The injunction carries a power of arrest.
And Eden Neighbourhood Policing Team’s drop-in centre, within the hotspot area, in Devonshire Arcade, has been running since August and has had over 10 regular sessions held since it opened.
Insp Bibby said: “As well as a place for residents to meet local officers and raise concerns, the drop in centre also provides a visible policing presence within hotspot area to deter and prevent any anti-social behaviour and serious violent offending.
Alongside the hotspot patrols, PCSO Mark Robson has been visiting local schools in the area to talk about reported issues and providing hotspot policing during peak hours.
In the Kendal and Eden area, during the first three months of the operation, hotspot patrol officers have made four arrests, and made 19 stop searches. In addition to this they have received more than 50 intelligence submissions from the public.
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “The extra £1m from the Home Office has allowed us to tackle anti-social behaviour and serious violence in our 18 hotspots areas that are most likely to experience these crime types through extra policing patrols.
“Tackling anti-social behaviour is one of my key priorities, as a result I am dedicated to ensuring that we see a reduction across the county.
“As well as having a regular public presence, Eden Police have been able to take action against a regular offender which is a positive outcome for Penrith.
“Tackling crime is the priority but I also want to see the wider effects less crime has in our communities. I want our residents and visitors to our county to feel safer, see less criminal or nuisance behaviour and have increasing trust in their Policing services. I hope Eden residents feel reassured that we are listening to them and that the police are out and about tackling crime.”
