The community of Keswick is set to benefit from a dedicated community beat officer, Cumbria police has revealed.
PC Don MacKenzie started his role yesterday, on Monday May 22, and will be dedicated to understanding and responding to the concerns and issues relating to crime and anti-social behaviour in Keswick.
Anti-social behaviour is a priority for the area and PC MacKenzie will be working to address the issues identified.
The Neighbourhood Policing Team said it was also keen to hear from the community on any other issues that are impacting them and has urged people to fill out its online survey, Police and Communities Together.
Inspector Pete Aiston, of Allerdale Neighbourhood policing team, said “PC MacKenzie will be based in Keswick. He will be a visible presence and will be proactively out in the community speaking with residents, business owners and visitors to understand their issues and working with them and partners to prevent and detect crime and tackle anti-social behaviour. “
PC MacKenzie said: “Over the next few weeks I’m looking forward to getting out into the community of Keswick and engaging with residents and local businesses to introduce myself.
“I want to understand the issues being faced in the area and target those causing harm to help prevent crime and anti-social behaviour.”
A spokesman for Keswick Town Council said “We are delighted to hear about a new post of Community Beat Officer for Keswick. Whilst the vast majority of our community are supportive of each other, we do have an element of behaviour which needs monitoring and addressing.
“The town council are looking forward to meeting PC MacKenzie and working with him in his new role.”
Police Fire and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, said: “While some may perceive ASB to be a low-level crime, it affects whole communities and if not checked can quickly escalate.
“I am really pleased to see Cumbria Constabulary placing a Community Beat Officer in Keswick to deal with the ASB before it has the opportunity to evolve into more serious crimes. This has been demonstrated to add real value in other parts of the county and is effective use some of the additional officers we have been able to recruit over the last three years.
“Community Beat Officers are there to help the community, but we can help them too by giving information about any and all anti-social or criminal behaviour in the neighbourhood so that the officers can deal with it on our behalf.”
