Two coordinated operations have taken place during the past five weeks to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in the South Lakes area.

The work, as part of Operation Sentinel, has taken place in the Ambleside, Kendal and Windermere areas.

Officers from the force’s South Tactical Support Group, South Lakes Neighbourhood Policing Team and Dog Section were joined by student officers and special constables in tackling concerns which have been raised by local residents.

On 22 and 23 September, Operation Sentinel was carried out in Ambleside and Windermere. During the operation officers conducted three positive stop searches of individuals under the Misuse of Drugs Act. All three were found in possession of cannabis and were dealt with by community resolution.

Officers conducted seven further stop searches under the Misuse of Drugs Act which while negative, resulted in numerous vapes being confiscated from children aged 12 and 13.

The recent activity follows an operation carried out in the Kendal area on 24 and 25 August. This activity resulted in half a kilo of MDMA recovered after a man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply MDMA and possession of MDMA. The investigation into this continues with the man arrested currently released under investigation.

Paul Rapka, aged 30, of Kent Square, Ulverston, was jailed for 12 weeks after he was convicted of failing to stop for police, driving without insurance, driving without a licence and taking a vehicle without consent.

Officers also carried out a number of stop searches under the Misuse of Drugs Act, resulting in one positive result which was dealt with by community resolution.

Officers also arrested a man who was wanted for failing to appear at court in Scotland. The arrest followed a short foot chase.

Vapes were also confiscated from a 11-year-old during the activity last month.

PC Thomas Rushton-Cape, South Tactical Support Group, said:

“We are committed to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour and making sure criminals know that Cumbria is no soft touch.

“Our local residents deserve to live in areas which see wrongdoing tackled and this is what Operation Sentinel aims to do.

“Working together with a range of policing teams, we have achieved some positive results so far.

“We are far from complacent. We will continue to run regular operations like this which complement the day-to-day efforts of our policing teams to tackle those who commit crime or behave in an anti-social manner.”