Don’t let thieves steal your Christmas - South Cumbria

Cumbria Constabulary is reminding the local community to check their security as victims of burglary and theft share their experiences ahead of the festive season.

Christmas Day is now less than a month away and the next few weeks will be a busy time for shoppers, businesses and home owners as they prepare for the big day.

Security may drop to the bottom of the list as people have so many things to do, but Cumbria Police is urging people to remain vigilant and review their security at this time. 

The warning to shoppers follows a spate of distraction thefts throughout the county, where a group of male suspects appear to be targeting lone older females as they are paying for goods at self-service and supermarket till areas. 

PIN numbers are being obtained before the victim is being followed from the shops back to their vehicle, where one suspect is making an approach and using a distraction tactic to allow another to steal the victim’s purse / bank cards. 

One victim, a woman from the Kendal area, was targeted recently at a supermarket in the south of the county. She said “A man told me that I had wires hanging down from the front of my car and that he would help me. I thought it was strange but I’m not the sort of person to tell someone to go away, so I was polite.

“Obviously while I was distracted someone else got my cards and they were then used. They were opportunists – it was very crowded around the tills in the store and I had parked at the end of the car park as I like to walk.

“As Christmas gets closer the shops get busier and I would urge shoppers to really make sure they protect their pin numbers and their property – if you get out of your car to speak to someone, lock it. I’d also advise people to have different pin numbers for different cards, and to only carry around what you need. 

“I’m always very careful with my security and I was still caught out. It can happen to anyone.”

Detective Inspector Jason McKenna said “In the run up to Christmas the majority of us are looking forward to the festivities and buying gifts, but unfortunately there are a minority of organized criminals who are targeting the public as they do their shopping.

“We are asking people to be careful when using their PIN number and to be aware of who is stood next to them or in the close vicinity, and if you see anyone acting suspiciously to report it to store staff or the police.”

Police remind shoppers to:

- Only take out in your handbag what is really needed
- Keep your purses / wallets / cash at the bottom of your bag or fastened in a pocket
- Not leave belongings out of sight in shops – for example handbags being left on the back of chairs or on the floor
- Keep a note of the phone numbers needed if your purse / wallet is stolen
- Make sure you report any theft immediately to prevent thieves using your cards to buy items over the phone or internet

DI McKenna added: “Most often these incidents are opportunist crimes, which can be prevented by taking some simple precautions. South Cumbria is a very low crime area, but people still do need to be careful and protect their belongings.

“Like shoppers, businesses will be so busy in the run up to Christmas, and security can drift to the back of their thoughts. It is so important to ensure that business owners and employees are careful not to give thieves motivation to come back – for instance by cashing up in full view.

“And once you’ve done your shopping and presents have been opened, make sure they are kept away from windows and doors, and identify any expensive items with your postcode using a UV pen. I’d also urge people to dispose of their packaging carefully so not to advertise expensive new goods that are inside the house.  

“We want everyone to enjoy a merry and crime free Christmas and New Year. Anyone with any concerns should call Cumbria Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Richard Rhodes said “In the run up to Christmas people do need to take care and be extra vigilant when out shopping. By listening to the advice from the Police and taking some simple steps, it is possible protect yourself from those criminals who look to take advantage of the busy town centres and shops this time of year.”

Across South Cumbria officers will be working with local shops and bars to ensure they have all the necessary security precautions in place during the busy festive season. We will also be handing out leaflets to members of the public, as well as displaying our ‘Don’t let thieves steal your Christmas’ posters and leaflets in places including in pubs and on buses. 

Working with South Lakeland and Barrow Community Safety Partnership (CSP), Victim Support and Age UK, officers will also be handing out purse bells at four events across the area. These can be fixed to a purse zip to alert the owner if the purse has been removed from a bag.

The CSP, which incorporates the police, South Lakeland District Council, Victim Support and Trading Standards, has also provided funding for the wider campaign, and members have worked with the police throughout the year after identifying acquisitive crime as a priority focus. 

For more Christmas crime prevention advice visit https://www.cumbria.police.uk/Advice-Centre/Personal-Safety/Campaigns/Dont-Let-Thieves-Steal-Your-Christmas.aspx or follow Cumbria Police on Twitter and Facebook.

Police and Crime Commissioner Leads Legal Challenge

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner has written to the Policing Minister outlining a number of concerns about the consultation being undertaken on the policing funding formula.

In total six Police and Crime Commissioners from across the country have joined forces to look at challenging the process that the Home Office have followed and are now in the process of considering if there are grounds for a Judicial Review.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes said “We are still in the consultation stage of the police funding formula and it is important to highlight that the Government has not followed its own consultant requirements. We have written to the Policing Minister and will now look at all the options available to us, including a Judicial Review.

“I am very concerned about the potentially serious implications for Cumbria from changes to the funding formula and I will highlight these when I respond to the consultation at the end of the month.”

Police Funding in Cumbria

Police and Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes said “The Policing Minister on Friday gave a more detailed outline on the impact on the reform of police funding arrangements with a further consultation period until the end of the month. We will be participating fully with the consultation.

“Based on what we know at the moment it looks likely that we will lose £9.5million under the proposed changes to the funding formula. In addition, we are expecting further savings requirements to be outlined in the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) announcement at the end of November presently we are forecasting this to be a minimum of £11.5million.

“Savings of £20million have already been achieved. These further reductions will mean that policing resources in Cumbria will have fallen by £46million over a ten year period to 2019/20.

“Proposed cuts of this scale will have a significant impact on the level of policing within the county and I will now be working with the Chief Constable on ascertaining the future financial viability of the police service.

“As Police and Crime Commissioner I am keen to establish with Ministers that they understand the full consequences of such proposals on the ability to maintain an efficient and effective police service in Cumbria.”

Chief Constable Jerry Graham said “Disappointingly, we have been advised that current funding formula proposals would mean Cumbria would lose highest proportion of our budget out of all the forces at 15.83%, which equates to £9.5 million.

“This is obviously of great concern to Cumbria Constabulary, as there is only so much money that can be saved while retaining a viable policing service. We will be looking at these proposals in detail over the next few days and establishing what exactly it would mean for Cumbria’s people and communities.

“We have until the 30^th October to respond to the Home Office with our concerns, and we will do so in detail. I would like to reassure people in Cumbria that we will continue to provide the best possible policing service we can afford during this process, and keep the public updated on any developments.

“I remain committed to Cumbria, and hope that local people will help us fight to retain a viable policing service for the communities of Cumbria in the face of increasingly tough financial challenges.”

Background information

£20million - Savings already made from 2010 and including savings from 2015/16

                                                                                       

Funding reduction £9.5million minimum - Changes to funding formula*

Funding reduction £11.5million minimum - Forecast changes from CSR – part of the expected announcement on 25 November

After taking account of cost pressures such as inflation rises further savings of £26million required from 2016/17 over four years. 

*is core Government funding to the police

Opening of Barrow New Police Station

The new Barrow Police Station on Andrews Way off Phoenix Road will become the operational policing base and front counter facilities from Saturday 10^th October.

The state-of-the-art facility has been built maximising the latest technology such as sustainable low energy development providing high levels of thermal comfort within a small range of temperatures.

The new Barrow Police Station will host the following;

• 230 officers, 20 PCSOs and 40 police staff
• Integrated custody facilities including 18 cells
• Front Desk open to the public 7 days a week
• The new facilities cost £8.6million to construct

Police and Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes said “I am delighted that the new Police Station in Barrow will be operational and the front counter facilities to the public from the 10^th October. 

“The state-of-the-art facilities are a real boost to policing services in Barrow and will support officers and PCSO's in providing frontline policing to the community.

“I am pleased that during the building stage that local businesses have benefited from the significant investment and that we now have a building that is future proofed to meet the needs of the local community and the changing nature of policing.” 

Cumbria Constabulary, Chief Constable Jerry Graham said “The new station is very impressive and the Constabulary is very much looking forward to moving in and operating from there. 

“The fantastic new facilities will provide officers and staff with a base which is fit for purpose and will further enhance the service we provide to the public.” 

Superintendent Rob O’Connor said “We are excited to start working from the new station, and begin using the state of the art facilities. From Saturday, the front desk will be open to the public seven days a week from 8am to 8pm. A  Police Desk will also be available at The Forum, Duke Street,  Barrow on a weekday basis from 10am to 1pm.

“Ulverston will continue to receive a prompt and efficient police response, and there will be a community base in Ulverston, which will be used by community officers and PCSOs, at the Ulverston Business Centre on New Market Street. There will also be a Police Desk from Monday to Friday, between 9am and 1pm, at Coronation Hall Box Office, where members of the public can speak to police staff about any concerns or queries.” 

David Atkinson, Managing Director, Thomas Armstrong (Construction) Ltd. said “As a Cumbrian company Thomas Armstrong (Construction) Ltd. are proud to have constructed the new Barrow police station delivering a quality building of iconic design. The completed development is a credit to the many local organisations involved in the project.” 

The building has made use of the following:

• Solar shading
• Passive ventilation
• Thermal mass heating
• Combined heat and power
• Photovoltaic cells for electricity generation
• Low maintenance
• Use of renewable and natural materials
• Light weight steel roof
• Landscaping of site to include parking, road access, perimeter lighting, CCTV, soft landscaping together with staff social areas.