Local policing teams have worked throughout the weekend to ensure criminals are caught and communities are kept safe.

Officers carried out high visibility, uniformed street patrols in the county’s main nightlife areas as part of the extra measures put in place over the festive period to keep party-goers safe.

The overall aim was to maximise safety for the public, offer an immediate and visible service for welfare and help reduce demand for emergency services across the county.

Over the next few weeks our officers will continue to show a visible presence in popular nightlife locations and provide a quick response to incidents of violent crime on nights out.

Chief Inspector Jo Walker said: “Our county has many popular locations to celebrate over the festive period and it’s important that we plan for the potential demand increase for these areas.

“The placement of Safer Street Welfare Hub in Carlisle means the emergency services are all working together in the same place, helping people at some of the busiest times of the year.

“We hope that our presence in these areas and proactive work will assist those who need us on a night out, as well as acting as a deterrent to anyone thinking about committing any kind of crime.

“Please enjoy yourself and have fun on your nights out. If you do find yourself in difficulty, remember we have officers and staff on hand to provide assistance.”

Workington: Friday 15 December

• The Workington Community Beat Officer and Licencing Officer from Cumberland Council carried out joint visits to 12 licensed premises to provide advice and support, and ensure they were operating ‘challenge 25’ policy
• One premises was found to be selling alcohol without a licence. They were directed to remove all the alcohol from their shelves and the Licensing Team are following this up
• Four vehicles were stopped for breath tests and one for a drugs wipe
• One positive drug search for cannabis and a man was also arrested for being drunk and disorderly

Carlisle: Saturday 16 December

• The Carlisle Safer Streets Welfare Hub was in place on Saturday outside the train station, as it is every week.
• Officers from Carlisle’s Neighbourhood Policing Team worked until the early hours along with Safer Streets volunteers, Cumberland Council Safer Streets officers and members of the Special Constabulary.
• On Saturday night a female arrested for an assault on emergency worker and has subsequently charged and bailed to court.  This was following an incident in Court Square.
• It was a busy night with a number of people needing support to get home safely and officers and staff dealt with a number of incidents throughout the night with no major incidents of disorder.

Barrow: 15 – 17 December

• A dispersal order was put in place in Barrow Town Centre on Saturday night (16 December) following incidents of disorder and the arrest of two 14 -year-old males . One has since been charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and using threatening behaviour with intent to cause fear in a public place.
• Four positive stop searches and two men subsequently arrested in connection.
• Licencing checks carried out across the area.

Copeland: 15 – 17 December

• One woman arrested for shoplifting
• Over 30 vehicles stopped and breathalysed – all negative
• Three stop searches conducted, two of which were positive for drugs
• Officers assisted North West Ambulance Services in St Bees to support getting an intoxicated and injured man to hospital.
• Officers and staff also dealt with many calls for service for concern for welfare.

Kendal and Lakes area: 15 – 17 December

• High visibility visits were conducted to multiple licensed premises to engage with and support licensee’s and staff
• One arrest for Possession Class A drug
• One arrest for Possession Class B drug
• One arrest for drug driving and possession of Class A drug
• Four assaults reported.
• Five people taken home by police due to intoxication.

Penrith

• Four arrests
• Three stop searches
• Seven drivers driving at excess speed and breath tests carried out
• Officers also engaged in crime prevention work for retail premises
• The previous weekend (8-9 December) Officers from Eden Neighbourhood Policing team along with colleagues from the dog section and Westmorland and Furness Licencing Officer were out in Kirkby Stephen and Penrith with scanning dog Drake. Six premises were visited and a number of searches took place, some drugs were recovered and the male found in possession.

Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, said: “As Christmas approaches many of us will be heading out on a night out with friends, family and colleagues. Of course, we want everyone to have a good time however, we also want everyone to stay safe whilst on these night’s out.

“We do want everyone to feel safe when out which is why the Police presence, and the availability of the Welfare Hubs in our towns at this time is so important.

“The first Welfare Hub was set up in Carlisle with funding we were able to secure from the Home Office from the Safety of Women at Night Fund and I am pleased to see the initiative developing  across Cumbria.

“Anyone who feels vulnerable or just wants a safe place to wait at the end of the night can go along to these Welfare Hubs where a mix of volunteers and staff are ready to help.

“The Police will be out and about and I hope that their presence gives assurance to  party-goers, that they and sends a strong deterrent message to   criminals.”

“Christmas is a time for celebration – please watch out for those around you, enjoy your night out and stay safe.”

If you wish to make a report  you can do so online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it.

You can also phone on 101.

Always phone 999 in an emergency or if a crime is in progress.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.