Funding secured to target violence and anti-social behaviour in Maryport
Officers in Allerdale have secured over £27,000 to target serious violence in Maryport and Workington with problem solving solutions.
The funding was secured from the Home Office by Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner as part of Operation Enhance which is activities to target anti-social behaviour (ASB) and serious violence, alongside partners.
Operation Enhance sees extra police patrols in areas identified as hotspots for anti-social behaviour and/or serious violence across the county.
This new funding is set to assist in this with solutions to help further reduce anti-social behaviour and serious violence.
These solutions include introduction of a new Pubwatch scheme using the SchemeLink app in Maryport, drug testing surface wipes, tourniquet key and forensic marking spays.
• Pubwatch using Schemelink app - will enable members communicate with each other about suspicious behaviour and those engaging in violent behaviour or ongoing incidents. The funding will provide a year’s free subscription to businesses.
• Drug test wipes – These tests will allow premises to test for drug use within their premises, and to support preventative action.
• Tourniquet key – This device assists in stopping severe bleeding.
• Forensic Marking Sprays - The tool is a canister containing a uniquely coded forensic marking solution supplied by DeterTech UK Ltd, known as SmartWater. This will be distributed to licenced premises for identified persons to use to spray offenders. Each canister has a unique code so it can be traced back and will stay on clothing and skin for several weeks assisting investigations.
Phil routledge runs the captain nelson pub, which is set to benefit, he said: "If they have an understanding that every pub in town has this, it makes people think twice before they do any anti-social behaviour or drug taking activities. They know there's a high chance they are going to get prosecuted.
"If we see or suspect a group that's taking drugs we can use the wipes on surfaces they've been at, just to confirm any drug taking or illegal activity has taken place.
"Maryport has a good business community. I think the police thought it could run this scheme because of the way we all work in town, how close we are and well connected."
Allerdale Neighbour Policing Inspector Pete Aiston said "This funding will support police, partners and local business owners to tackle incidents of violence.
"We hope that these measures will deter individuals from going out in our communities and committing violent offences.
"We want our communities to feel safe without risk of violence, and these solutions as well as the additional Operation Enhance patrols in areas identified as hotspots has already seen success in reducing incidents.
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: "I am delighted that we have been able to secure additional funding for Operation Enhance to the tune of £27,000 from the Home Office. This will allow us to further target the hotspot areas in Workington and Maryport.
“Operation Enhance – and the funding being dedicated to it – will enable our officers to tackle anti-social behaviour and serious violence more effectively than ever before by having more officers out on the streets in the areas where we know anti-social behaviour has been a real problem."