Last weekend saw several incidents of anti-social behaviour across north and west Cumbria, including incidents of children using dangerous drugs.

Two related to separate Christmas lights switch on events, one in Keswick and one in Whitehaven, the latter of which resulted in the police issuing a dispersal order in the town centre.

But Cumbria police said there has in fac been a significant reduction in anti-social behaviour in Cumbria.

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Chief Inspector Richard Smillie, neighbourhood policing lead for police in the Cumberland Council area, said: “Cumbria has seen a reduction in anti-social behaviour of 17 per cent from April 2024 compared to the same time period in 2023.

“We’re pleased to report this as it shows the hard work of officers, alongside our partners, and the positive effect it is having on our communities.”

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It's currently Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week, during which these team, along with partners, are highlighting the work they do year-round to tackle these issue, Chief Inspector Smilie said.

He added: “Across the week, officers and partners within the local focus hub will be targeting local issues, engaging with the community and highlighting the work underway.

“This has included highlighting a number of incidents over recent days when anti-social behaviour has been identified.

“We take a partnership approach, responding to incidents, understanding the issues and working together to tackle them, as well as preventing further problems from happening.”

Operation Enhance is also underway, a police operation that sees extra police patrols in areas identified as hotspots for anti-social behaviour and/or serious violence across the county.

The operation is the product of £1million of extra funding secured by Cumbria’s police, fire and crime commissioner from the central government’s ‘Hotspot Response Fund’ to target anti-social behaviour and serious violence in hotspot areas across the county.

READ NEXT: Dispersal order in place after 'ongoing issues' with anti-social youths

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, including areas of Carlisle, Barrow, Workington, Whitehaven, Kendal, Penrith, Maryport, Cleator Moor, Ulverston and Bowness-on-Windermere.

Chief Inspector Smillie added: “Key to us being able to provide an effective policing response is the information and support provided by local people.

“When people report and make us aware of the issues they are witnessing or experiencing, it results in a greater intelligence picture and, more importantly, leads to action being taken to investigate and deter incidents.” 

Linked to anti-social behaviour issues is the ‘alarming rise’ police said they’ve seen in the number of children using nitrous oxide to get high, a very dangerous and often lethal drug.

Until earlier this year it had a commercial use legally, but routine misuse as an inhalant resulted in its classification as a Class C controlled substance.

READ NEXT: Police warn of 'alarming rise' in nitrous oxide use among youths

Police said they recently received reports of drug use in the area of the Garlands and New Harraby in Carlisle.

Using a mixture of plain clothes and uniform patrols, conducted numerous searches and arrests as a result of the recent crackdown on the use of nitrous oxide, which some people refer to in slang as balloons (alluding to a method of inflating a balloon with the substance and inhaling it), nos, whippits, laughing gas, hippie crack, chargers and noz.

On this issue, and how they’re cracking down on it, a spokesperson from Cumbria police said: “Officers provide educational inputs through schools.

“They target offending through the proportionate use of stop searches, where grounds exist.

“But officers also work with offenders to support them and try to implement safeguards for the future, including signposting to other organisations such as support services.”