Cumbria Police boosts neighbourhood presence with 45% increase in Community Beat Officers
Investment enhances visibility and policing across urban and rural areas.
Cumbria Police has strengthened its neighbourhood policing through significant investments that boost local Community Beat Officers by nearly 45%.
The increase expands the number of Community Beat Officers from 58 to 84, supporting Cumbria Constabulary and Cumbria's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen’s Neighbourhood Policing Pledge.
This initiative aims to bolster local policing presence, enhance visibility and accessibility, and ensure officers meet community priorities.
The uplift of 26 officers supports communities throughout Eden, Kendal, Barrow, Carlisle, Wigton, Allerdale, and Copeland, covering both urban and rural areas including Appleby, Pooley Bridge, Windermere, and Maryport.
Positive public confidence results bolster efforts, with Cumbria ranking third nationally for overall confidence in policing.
Operation Enhance, a concurrent initiative, has yielded reductions in antisocial behaviour incidents, retail crime, and serious violence based on the Crime Survey for England and Wales data for April 2025 to March 2026.
Chief Constable Darren Martland highlighted neighbourhood policing as central to listening and addressing community concerns.
Chief Superintendent Andy Wilkinson emphasized the role of additional officers in tackling antisocial behaviour and other local issues.
Commissioner David Allen noted the critical public demand for increased policing, underlining the importance of visible policing to deter crime and build safer communities.
The investment reaffirms Cumbria's commitment to enhancing community policing, fostering strong relationships, and ensuring resident safety.