CUMBRIA'S police, fire and crime commissioner (PFCC) was in Penrith on Saturday (October 26) to meet members of the public and hear their concerns.

He was there during an annual arts festival, Penrith Winter Droving, which attracts thousands of visitors to the Cumbrian market town every year.

David Allen, who is Cumbria's first Labour PFCC, said it was his first time at the Winter Droving and had enjoyed himself while he was there. He added: "It was a nice day when it stayed fine.

"We were there asking people and consulting people about what they wanted to see in my police, fire and crime plan and what issues they were facing?

"It will come as no surprise that it was the usual issues: antisocial behaviour, antisocial driving in particular especially around Penrith where it is a real issue; drugs; and violence against women and girls, particularly domestic abuse.

"Those are the main issues that we always see and those are the issues that I will be weaving into my police, fire and crime plan for next year to take forward over the next four years."

Mr Allen said he had received a good reception from members of the public and added: "I mean I am quite friendly, and I go out of my way to talk to people.

"The staff that I had with me that day again were very friendly, and people are quite pleased that we want to reach out and ask them what their issues are. They are not backward in coming forward and I take all that on board."