A PCSO's work in Cleator Moor has led to a reduction in calls relating to anti-social behaviour.

PCSO Hollie Huck, supported by the community beat officer Sarah Pickering-Smith and the Copeland Neighbourhood policing team, has been working throughout 2022 to reduce the number of reports of anti-social behaviour in the area.

In the second half of 2022 there was a 44 per cent reduction in incidents involving young people in Cleator Moor, with 25 incidents compared to 45 in the same period of 2021.

Also, in the second half 2022 there was a more than 30 per cent reduction in arson and criminal damage compared to the previous year.

On June 13, a multi-agency meeting was held with partners from Home Group, primary school headteachers, town council, Pheonix youth club and Copeland Borough Council.

The meeting was to 'discuss a long-term solution with a view to try and further problem-solve and look to achieve a more sustainable solution to address anti-social behaviour issues'.

From the meeting several actions were taken to tackle the issue and a Copeland Hub referral launched for partners to discuss the matter and act were necessary.

PCSO Hollie Huck also developed a competition for young people to create a poster on anti-social behaviour and respecting their community to get young people involved in making others aware of the impacts of this type of behaviour.

PCSO Huck managed to secure prizes through donations from the Co-op, Wilko, The Works, Sellafield Engineering centre of Excellence and Better Sports centre.

Young people from the mini police at St Patrick's School, Phoenix Youth Club Cleator Moor and Police Cadets created posters which were then distributed by Phoenix Youth club in the local area.

Inspector Richard Smillie, Copeland Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Since the multi-agency meeting and the actions taken following the increase of anti-social behaviour incidents in Cleator Moor, we have seen a decrease in reports.

“We did see an expected rise during Halloween and Bonfire night where we usually see an increase in the number of calls for service in relation to anti-social behaviour.

“These aren’t just quick fixes we have aimed to create long term solutions and pushed early intervention to prevent young people from being involved in any further criminality in the area.

“We know this type of crime can have a detrimental effect on individuals and the community and would encourage everyone to report any incidents to us and our partners.”

Officers have since received positive feedback from the community and local business owners, with one takeaway owner saying he felt that anti-social behaviour had decreased on the High Street. 

Steve Richardson, clerk/financial officer for Cleator Moor Town Council said: “Since the multi-agency meeting it is clear to see that incidents of ASB in and around the town centre, which did appear to be the hub of a lot of the incidents, has reduced significantly.

“I also think the police being visible in the town both on walk-abouts and at the Police desk in the CO-OP foyer are having an effect.

“Overall, this is very positive and good to see for the whole town. I also believe that this influences residents who may previously have been reluctant to report incidents because ‘nothing ever happens’, seeing the results will I’m sure change this opinion.”

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