DPFCC Mike Johnson met with Carlisle’s City West community beat officers to hear more about the work of the CBOs and the Neighbourhood Police Team. 

Mr Johnson went out on patrol last week with the Community Beat Officers, PC Browitt and PC Gonzalez, to visit the Raffles estate and Heysham Park, which are known hotspots areas for ASB and other low-level crimes.

Since PC Browitt and PC Gonzalez took on the role of community beat officers (CBO) for the Carlisle City west area in the summer of 2023, and they have been working with the community to combat local crime concerns.

As a direct result, Carlisle City West has, year to date, seen a 3.2% reduction in anti-social behaviour (ASB).

Over the last 6 months, they have also been focusing on neighbourhood crime and had some very positive results, such as executing warrants under the Misuse of Drugs Act and the arrest of area targets linked to burglary and acquisitive crime.

The DPFCC is also on patrol with Community Beat Officer PC Rhys Watkin for Carlisle City East to visit Settle Close in New Harraby and the Botcherby area.

Community beat officer PC Waktin started with the Neighbourhood Policing Team in August 2023 and along with his colleagues on the City East team, has worked towards tackling ASB across the area.

For the year to date, Carlisle City East has experienced a 20% decrease in reported ASB incidents.

Recent good results include tackling the anti-social use of off-road motorbikes, working with social landlords on tackling ASB and using housing injunctions to ensure tenants are behaving responsibly.

Speaking on the visit, DPFCC Mike Johnson, said: “One of the key requests we get in the Office of the police, fire and crime commissioner is the desire to see more officers on the streets patrolling.

"The introduction of CBO’s provides a named Officer for each area of Cumbria, to help with any concerns raised by residents.

“PC Browitt, PC Gonzalez and PC Waktin have been the community beat officer in Carlisle since August and in that time, ASB has dropped by 20% in the east of the city and 3.2% in the west, in comparison to the same period the year before."