Anti-social behaviour is down 47 per cent in a West Cumbrian town, according to police.

This comes after work over the last nine months since the community beat officer has been in place for Maryport and is compared to the amount of anti-social behaviour (ASB) recorded in the same period last year.

ASB includes crimes like vehicle abandonment, trespassing, vandalism, harassment, and anti-social drinking, and other behaviours that cause nuisance, annoyance, harm, or distress.

Speaking about the community beat officers, deputy police fire and crime commissioner, Mike Johnson, said: “Cumbria is one of the most rural counties in the country and I know that everyone wants to see more of the police in their community.

“PC Sam Steele has been the Community Beat Officer (CBO) in Maryport since September 2022 and in that time, he has already made a big difference in tackling anti-social behaviour in the area.

“CBOs focus on tackling the issues that matter most to the public.

“They are dedicated to understanding and responding to local people’s concerns and issues relating to crime and anti-social behaviour.

“In Maryport, the CBO has focused on reducing the negative behaviour of those causing the most disruption and harm in the area, regularly conducting stop searches.

“For example, during April, 13 searches were conducted and drugs such as cocaine, MDMA, various pills and methadone were located and removed.

“Road safety is also a key focus with CBOs around the county and over the last nine months, vehicles with no insurance, as well as e-scooters, have been seized from people riding in an anti-social manner in Maryport.

“In addition, there have been a number of arrests for people driving over the limit due to drink and drugs.”