Anti-social crime 'down by more than a third'

Takeaway owner Kuzey Mintimur said trouble in Carlisle used to be common but it was a "good neighbourhood" now

Extra patrols have reduced anti-social behaviour by more than a third, police say.

Officers from the Cumbria force targeted crime hotspots including the Raffles Estate in Carlisle and say they have cut lower level disorder by 36% and serious violence by 20%.

Ch Supt Andy Wilkinson, of the Cumbria force, said the reduction in crime had been achieved through highly visible officers with enhanced stop and search powers "acting as deterrents".

He added: "There is also a spirit of coming together and of people not accepting criminality."

Ch Supt Andy Wilkinson said he hoped the community would be "reassured" and report crime

Kuzey Mintimur, who has run a takeaway in Carlisle's Shady Grove Road for 15 years said: "There used to be trouble everywhere involving kids and adults.

"Now it's a really good neighbourhood."

Other areas targeted in the crackdown include Barrow, Workington and Cleator Moor.

The county's police, fire and crime commissioner David Allen said he was particularly delighted to see burglaries cut by 35%.

"This is one of the most important figures for me, it means 83 less families who have not had their homes or premises violated by burglars."

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