Workington MP Josh MacAlister joined Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, and local police officers on patrol in Workington this week as part of Operation Enhance – an initiative that continues to deliver significant results in tackling anti-social behaviour across West Cumbria.
Operation Enhance, funded through the Government’s Hotspot Response Fund, targets areas experiencing persistent anti-social behaviour by placing extra, high-visibility patrols in hotspot locations. Now six months into its second year, the operation is showing strong results, with reports of anti-social behaviour down by 38% across the 15 hotspot areas compared to the previous year – from 974 incidents to 601.
The dispersal order put in place in Workington town centre over the weekend highlights the importance of continued investment in action to stamp out this kind of anti-social behaviour and high visibility policing like this.
Josh joined frontline officers on an evening patrol in Workington town centre, hearing firsthand about the challenges they face and the successes achieved through joint working between police, councils, and local residents.
The patrol followed recent announcements that Josh and David Allen secured £1.7 million to recruit additional neighbourhood police officers for West Cumbria, strengthening the visible policing presence that residents have consistently called for.
Josh said:
“It was a privilege to join officers on patrol in Workington and to see Operation Enhance in action. The work being done here is making a real difference – cutting anti-social behaviour, building confidence in the community, and helping residents feel safer.
“Alongside the £1.7 million we’ve secured for extra neighbourhood police, this is about giving Cumbria’s officers the backing and resources they need to be a visible, reassuring presence on our streets.
“The disorder we saw in Workington over the weekend shows that we haven’t solved the problem yet, but by continuing to invest in neighbourhood policing and these additional high visibility patrols and through targeted action to deter young people from engaging in this sort of anti-social behaviour, we will continue to drive it down and make our streets safer.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, added:
“Operation Enhance is delivering exactly what we set out to achieve – more visible policing and safer communities. A 38% drop in anti-social behaviour shows that extra patrols and strong local partnerships work.
“Having Josh out with our officers highlights the importance of continued investment in neighbourhood policing across West Cumbria. It’s something residents value and rely on.”
Members of the public are encouraged to continue reporting anti-social behaviour and suspicious activity to help police focus resources where they are needed most. Reports can be made online at http://www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it, by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.
Josh MacAlister MP 