Since taking on the role of Community Beat Officer (CBO) for Cleator Moor in the summer of 2022, PC Sarah Pickering-Smith has made significant strides in addressing local crime concerns.

Antisocial behaviour (ASB) has seen a significant fall in just one year.

This progress was highlighted and celebrated during a recent patrol alongside Cumbria's Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Mike Johnson.

During the patrol, the pair visited Cleator Moor Square and Jacktrees Playpark which has seen issues with large groups of youths loitering and causing ASB, throwing food at vehicles and knocking on doors and running away.

The main offenders were identified by PC Pickering-Smith and officers who placed them on Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABC) - a voluntary written agreement between a young person, the local authority, and police.

When under ABC, young people agree to not be involved in specified anti-social acts.

In addition, referrals to the Youth Offending team and the issuance of Dispersal Orders also helped mitigate the incidents.

High visibility foot patrols and stop-searches for fireworks also discouraged ASB.

PC Pickering-Smith has also attended local schools and youth clubs to talk to young people about ASB and the impact it has on the community.

In addition, arrangements have been made to fix the lighting in the Square and activate The Mosquito, a high-frequency machine designed to deter youths from loitering in certain areas.

The PC team also regularly deal with parking issues around schools which are causing traffic disruption.

Speaking on the visit, DPFCC Mike Johnson, said: “PC Pickering-Smith has been the Community Beat Officer in Cleator Moor since Summer 2022 and in that time, ASB has dropped by 41.6 per cent between September 1, 2022 and August 31, 2023 in comparison to the same period the year before.

“Having dedicated officers deployed from local areas, can only be a good thing. Most of us will not be a victim of a serious crime but many of us will see or feel intimidated by ASB.

"Becoming a victim of ASB can be an extremely distressing and upsetting experience. If left unchecked, it can ruin people's lives and devastate communities which is why I am determined to see Police and partners working together to combat ASB before it can develop.

“This is why it is vital, that our Community Beat Officers establish relationships, build trust with local residents and the wider community, so that we can all help in fighting crime together and keeping our communities free of crime."

Inspector Richard Smillie, of the Whitehaven Neighbourhood Policing Team, says that the introduction of a CBO has been a success 'not just in our area, but across Cumbria'.

He said: “Although our communities have CBO Sarah Pickering-Smith to raise concerns with, she will also be supported in her role by the wider Neighbourhood Policing Team.

“In her dedicated role CBO Pickering-Smith will be able to gain understanding of the issues in the Cleator Moor area and with support from CBOs and PCSOs from across the area they will work together with our partners to understand and address any issues across the local area.”

If you ever experience or witness ASB, you can report it online via www.cumbria.police.uk or call 999 in an emergency.