Cumberland Council has approved a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).

The decision was taken during its executive committee meeting on July 23.

This comes as the reorganisation and consolidation of three district councils, Allerdale, Copeland, and Carlisle City Council, as well as the County Council into the newly organised Cumberland Council.

The existing PSPOs expiration provided a unique opportunity to reassess and refine the regulations across the council's entire jurisdiction.

PSPOs are the tools authorities rely on to prevent anti-social behaviour (ASB).

Governed by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, they allow councils to address the growing challenges associated with ASB by providing flexible measures.

These orders play a crucial part in the councils' efforts to maintain the quality of public spaces while ensuring community safety.

Following a consultation process that drew 382 responses, the new PSPO was developed.

The feedback received underscored the need for an interpretation that is fair and effective in implementing practices.

The PSPO, designed around four key principles, which are engage, educate, explain, and enforce, will be implemented consistently across Cumberland.

The Hotspot Response Fund from the Government accorded £1 million to Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for addressing ASB and serious violence issues in hotspot areas across the region.

In response to the funding, Operation Enhance was initiated.

Operation Enhance sees a county-wide crackdown by Cumbria Police on anti-social behaviour and violence, with Cumberland Council as one of its partners.

Increasing police patrols in areas identified as ASB and/or serious violence hotspots is one of the methods employed in this operation.

Cumberland Councillor Denise Rollo, executive member for sustainable, resilient and connected places, said: "I would like to thank members of the Executive Committee for agreeing the new PSPO areas, which in many cases can work alongside Cumbria Constabulary to tackle anti-social behaviour."

Chief Superintendent Mick Bird, Cumbria Constabulary, said: "Anti-social behaviour is regularly identified as one of the biggest concerns that are members of our local communities hold.

"We welcome Cumberland Council’s adoption of the new Public Space Protection Order, and we look forward to continuing our work with them as part of our new county-wide operation to tackle anti-social behaviour and serious violence."

Additional patrols in 18 areas identified as the county's hotspots of anti-social behaviour and serious violence are part of this operation.

For more information, visit the Cumberland Council’s website or the Cumbria Constabulary to learn about Operation Enhance.