Crime and Anti Social Behaviour
During December 2011, a total of Thirty-seven crimes were reported in the Cockermouth area. The following is a summary of those crimes reported.
Christchurch
In the ward a total of Twenty-eight offences were committed in the reporting period. The following is an overview of the offences committed.
Two males were arrested and charged for a Section 4 Public Order offence.
A male was stopped by Police and found to be in possession of a Class A drug. The male was arrested and charged with the offence.
A takeaway premise on Cockermouth Main Street was broken into overnight on 4th December. Monies and a small safe were stolen. Several takeaways in the areas of Wigton and Keswick were also broken into in a similar time frame. Police are conducting further enquires.
A Romanian male national has been charged in connection of obtaining money by confusing staff in a local store. The male was confusing staff by trying to change higher value notes for smaller change and buying low value items and again swapping higher notes for smaller change. In doing this the store has lost money. This is known as "Ringing the changes". A second Romanian male national has also been charged with receiving money from this crime.
Sainsburys reporting a male has left the store without paying for bottles of alcohol. The staff followed the male suspect and Police stopped and searched him. The male has now been charged with theft.
A female has been interviewed and charged with a Section 5 public order offence.
A male was assaulted whilst out socializing on Cockermouth Main Street. The offender was caught, interviewed and charged with the offence.
An employee of a shop in Cockermouth has been charged with theft after stealing from the shop.
A Police Officer was assaulted whilst dealing with public order offences during the busy night time economy and the male has been charged with this offence along with a Section 4 public order offence.
A male has been charged with possession of a Class B drug while another male was stopped and found to be in possession of a Class C drug with out a prescription.
Several vehicles have been damaged whilst being parked and unattended on Parkside Avenue, Cockermouth. Police are continuing with enquires at this time.
Criminal damage as caused to one of the windows of the Tithebarn Public House on Station Street. The male offender was stopped and arrested by the Police and has been charged with a caution.
A female has also been charged with a caution after assaulting another female whilst out socializing in Cockermouth.
In December Twenty-seven incidents of Anti Social Behaviour were reported. These included vehicles being used in an Anti Social manor in the car park of Sainsbury’s and the local night time economy especially over the weekend periods. A total of 8 Section 27 orders were given out. Section 27 Banning Orders gives the Police the power to ban persons from a specified area for a period of upto 48 hours. If the persons are then seen again in the set time and banned area, a power of arrest is then in affect and enforced. Eight persons were also arrested for Drunk and Disorder Behaviour. This was a busy period with the run upto Christmas and more people being out and about for Christmas parties, social gatherings and the Christmas holiday period.
All Saints
In the ward a total of Nine offences were committed in the reporting period. The following is an overview of the offences committed.
On Thirlmere Avenue a cat was reported to have been shot by an air riffle. This is the second time that this has occurred and Police are making enquires.
A male youth has been dealt with by Restorative Justice for theft as he was a first time offender.
Two male youths were found to be in possession of a Class B drug. Both males have been interviewed and are being dealt with by the Youth Offending Services team.
In December Twelve incidents of Anti Social Behaviour were reported. These included neighbourhood disputes, loud music and the local night time economy. Snowballs and eggs have also been thrown at properties on the estates in particular on Bellbrigg Lonning. The PCSO's are continuing there high visible presence on foot patrols through out all of Cockermouth.
Rural
The following is an overview of the offences committed.
An unattended vehicle in Little Broughton had all four of its tyres damaged.
A large amount of Diesel along with several other plant tools were stolen from a secluded property near to Bridekirk on the 10th December, whilst on the 29th December a high value theft has occured in the same location. A Five Ton Komatsu Digger, Four Diggin Buckets to attach to the digger, One Hydrolic Breaker and a Ivor Willams Trailer along with a chainsaw and a hammer drill were stolen. The Police are investigating these crimes along with the Criminal Investigation Department. Anyone with any information to please contact Cockermouth Police on 101.
In December several incidents of Anti Social Behaviour were reported. These included neighbourhood disputes, loud music, house party's and from the local night time economy.
NOTE
A police staff member from Cumbria Constabulary has been recognised in the 2012 New Year’s Honour’s list.
Hilary Dandy, a front counter clerk at Cockermouth Police Station, is to become a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to policing in Cumbria.
Mrs Dandy has worked as the enquiry clerk at Cockermouth Police Station since the 3 January 1972. She has been recognised for running her office in a professional way and her unfailing calmness, politeness and discretion has won her many friends and admirers over the years. She seeks no attention for herself, yet has proved an outstanding ambassador for Cumbria Police.
Crime Prevention Advice
Homeowners should take precaution’s to ensure all buildings are properly secured and that any suspicious activity is reported to the police. Age UK supply effective deterants to help secure your home and sheds. A range of products from shed alarms, magnetic door and window alarms to a complete home security kit are avaliable and prices start from £3.00. These products can be seen and purchased from Age UK shops in Cockermouth, Workington, Wigton and Maryport.
The dark winter nights are upon us and Police are asking the public to check there vehicles are ready for winter, including tyres and lights are in full working order.
Please see www.cumbria.police.uk for full details and find advice on "Staying safe this winter". Other advice and information can be also be found, including satying safe at over the Christmas period.
Diesel and Heating Oil:
The police are concerned and are investigating all incidents of heating oil and fuel thefts. Should any person see any suspicious activity they are requested to report the matter to the police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The methods used by the culprits include them using a siphoning hose that is usually a long length of pipe which is often attached to a pump. The pump is usually kept inside the vehicle to keep the noise down. It does take time to drain a tank depending on the size of the pump. Please consider using locks on the fuel tank if it is possible and if any doubt then please contact your local police station for advice.
If you would like to join Cumbria Community Messaging then please contact us or visit: www.cumbriacommunitymessaging.co.uk.
It is managed by the Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch Association and offers you and other members of communities across Cumbria the means to receive crime information from Cumbria Police. You can select which information you wish to receive by managing your own settings, and it is completely FREE. Anyone can join, you do not have to be a member of Neighbourhood Watch (NHW), or become a member of NHW to join. Farm Watch, Church Watch and camping and caravan Watch are a small example of the schemes that you can register for. You can join as an individual or as a group. If you want to receive information but do not wish to be responsible for a larger group, you are still welcome to make use of this messaging system.
As well as Cumbria Constabulary the partners providing information are Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service and Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch Association. If you do not have internet access, contact your local PCSO and they will aid in registering your details on the system.