Police force is criticised for its ‘week of action’ against traditional crimes like drink-driving, violence and drugs… so what about the other 51 weeks of the year?
- Cumbria Police has started tackling crimes ‘important to our communities’
- They are focusing on anti-social behaviour, drink-driving, violence and drugs
- But only one week is being dedicated to these crimes
You’d be forgiven for assuming that tackling violence, drugs and anti-social behaviour were at the top of every police force’s list of priorities every day.
But one seems to think a ‘week of action’ on such issues is enough to prove that it is ‘no soft touch’ on crime.
Cumbria Police has pledged to start the New Year by tackling crimes which are ‘important to our communities’ and which it believes the public cares about the most.
Cumbria Police has pledged to start the New Year by tackling crimes which are ‘important to our communities’ (pictured: Carlisle city centre)
In Carlisle, officers have promised to focus on anti-social behaviour, drink-driving, violence and drug abuse.
Other areas have said they will take a strong stance on cross-border crime. In west Cumbria, police have vowed to concentrate on tackling shoplifting and the trade in stolen goods, as well as night-time violence.
The force believes that these are the crimes that the public is most concerned about. And it signals a move towards more traditional policing amid a nationwide focus on so-called fashionable issues such as hate crime.
Matt Kennerley, Superintendent for north Cumbria, acknowledged the irony of dedicating just a week to these crimes, insisting: ‘Our officers are tackling such issues day in and day out.’
But he added that, during the ‘week of action’, the force ‘will be taking a particularly high-visibility approach to start the year in a concerted effort to proactively target the things that are most important to our communities’.
Carl Patrick, Superintendent for west Cumbria, added: ‘This week of action showcases the work going on all the time.’
Crime statistics for Carlisle city centre (pictured) in the year to November showed violent and sexual offences accounted for 31 per cent of crimes reported
Crime statistics for Carlisle city centre in the year to November showed violent and sexual offences accounted for 31 per cent of crimes reported.
Anti-social behaviour accounted for 18 per cent of crimes. Of the crimes reported, 61 per cent ended with no further action taken.
Only 15 per cent of crimes saw the offender sent to court with roughly half dealt with by the judicial system. Figures for Barrow-in-Furness show there were more than 3,400 violent crimes committed in the year to November. Nearly 1,500 incidents of anti-social behaviour were also reported.
For the force’s latest drive, police officers will also work with ‘partner agencies’ including the fire brigade and local health services.
Cumbria Police previously faced criticism for its handling of the Poppi Worthington case, in which a 13-month-old girl was found to have been sexually assaulted by her father before her death.
A coroner ruled in 2018 that the sexual assault had taken place, but prosecutors refused three times to put him on trial.
Police failed to treat the case as a criminal inquiry for eight months after Poppi’s death in 2012, meaning there was insufficient evidence to charge him.
Source: Read Full Article