Communities in Maryport, Whitehaven and Workington are to benefit from dedicated Community Beat Officers who will deliver neighbourhood policing in the area.

The officers will be dedicated to understanding and responding to their concerns and issues relating to crime and anti-social behaviour.

Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector Rachel Gale said: “In recent years we have seen dedicated officers deployed from local areas, especially in rural locations. These officers work alongside our Local Focus neighbourhood policing teams to tackle issues that matter to residents.

“They will be visible to residents, businesses and visitors to the town, being proactive in the areas, speaking to people, understanding their issues and working with them to prevent and detect crime, and tackle anti-social behaviour. This is something we know our communities want and ask for.”

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall comments: “Over the last three years I have been keen to see and deliver improved cover of Police Officers and Neighbourhood Policing across the county.

“It is of course early days, but this is definitely a further move by the Constabulary in the right direction and I expect to see more communities benefiting from Community Beat Officers and to feel a positive effect in the near future.”