Crime In Your Area
Operation Bombard
We are continuing to run this operation across the NPT. The operation utilises pulse policing tactics to target issues such as drugs misuse, theft, road safety and anti social behaviour, all of which had been raised as problems by the local community.
Pulse policing is the deployment of a large number of officers in an area for a short period. Officers in Workington and Maryport have been using this tactic as a result of the opportunities brought about by the restructuring of the Neighborhood Policing Teams (NPT). This has enabled them to provide an enhanced response to tackling community priorities.
In July, 20 officers from the local NPT, along with officers from the Roads Policing Unit and Tactical Support Group targeted areas in Workington, Maryport and Seaton.
Operation Ulterior - Drugs
This operation specifically targets ‘street level’ drug users and dealers who are affecting the quality of life for local residents due to the associated crime and disorder they cause. Residents regularly raise drug misuse as their number one priority
In June, officers made 34 arrests for possession of controlled drugs and possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply. This is the highest number of arrests made in any one month since the operation was launched on the 7th February 2011.
Since the launch of the operation, 192 people have been arrested for drug offences in the area. Officers have recovered quantities of heroin, cocaine, amphetamine and cannabis with a street value of approximately £80,000.
As well as executing Magistrates Court warrants officers are utilising stop and search powers in problem areas and using a passive drugs dog in the areas pubs and clubs at the weekend
Operation Bootback - underage alcohol sales
Officers have been conducting test purchasing operations at licensed premises and off licenses in Workington and Maryport to check whether they were selling alcohol to under 18s.
The operation has been running since June. Undercover police officers visit licensed premises with a 14-yr-old female test purchaser. To date fisteen licencees have been prosecuted for making illegal sales
The premises targeted included independent retailers and national chains. All licensees and staff who sold alcohol were issued with on-the-spot £80 penalty notices.
Metal Thefts
Our work to address this problem is still ongoing in July West Cumbrian police officers and the British Transport Police conducted a number of searches to disrupt metal thefts in the county.
In a dedicated operation, properties of those suspected to be involved in the theft of metal were searched resulting in the arrest of eleven people. The theft of metal is a national problem due to the current high price of metal. It can have an effect on the whole community because it’s not just scrap that is being taken; metal is being removed from schools, churches and other community hubs. It costs a substantial amount to repair the damage and can lead to these buildings being damaged or closed while repairs are made.