A new police operation to crack down on anti-social behaviour (ASB) has led to four arrests and 40 stop and searches in Carlisle.

Op Enhance sees extra police patrols in areas identified as hotspots for anti-social behaviour and/or serious violence across the county.

The operation has been made possible after £1million of extra funding was secured by Cumbria’s police, fire and crime commissioner from the Government’s Hotspot Response Fund to target ASB and serious violence in hotspot areas across the county.

The operation sees extra patrols in 18 areas identified by statistical analysis as the county's hotspot areas of anti-social behaviour and serious violence.

As part of the operation, the public is encouraged to report antisocial behaviour by visiting the constabulary’s website.

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Since the operation launched three months ago, there have been more than 70 submissions from members of the public on ASB hotspots.

A spokesperson for Cumbria Police said: “In an emergency always call 999.

“Information and intelligence from the public is vital so we can work together to tackle issues in their communities.”