A disabled man from Keswick has criticised a lack of police response in the town.
Peter Watson, 75, has contacted police about a number of misdemeanours and criminal acts by making calls, writing letters, sending emails and sometimes providing video evidence.
But Mr Watson and his daughter remain unhappy with the lack of response and said the town’s police service is poor compared to what it used to have.
The latest incident took place when a badly parked pick-up vehicle towing an agricultural trailer blocked Standish Street.
Mr Watson said it was parked from 8.25pm to 12.30am – forcing vehicles, including taxis, to reverse along the narrow street.
Mr Watson called the police and was asked what the registration number was and whether he had knocked on doors to find out whose it was.
He said: “I am disabled and on oxygen and told him that I thought it was the police’s job to see what the registration number is.
“He then said that there was nothing the police could do about it because I had not given them enough information,” said Mr Watson.
Mr Watson has complained to the police complaints department and this week received a home visit from an officer, although he remains unconvinced.
In June, Mr Watson wrote a letter to the police complaining about anti-social behaviour, but said he was still waiting for a reply.
A couple had also been witnessed “snorting drugs” in the street and there had been disturbances behind a pub on Main Street.
Mr Watson said video evidence was provided immediately, yet weeks later the police issued a public appeal for information.
Mr Watson said: “I think people in Keswick should get five years of their council tax back for what they get from the police and Cumberland Council. Surely it’s taking money under false pretences?”
He remembers when the Keswick area was served by a police station, a magistrates’ court; three village police stations in Threlkeld, Braithwaite and Bassenthwaite; police houses; an inspector; sergeants; constables and a pair of detectives.
A Cumbria police spokesperson said Mr Watson’s complaint had been passed to its Neighbourhood Policing Team serving Keswick for resolution.
The spokesperson pointed out that as of May 23, Keswick had received a dedicated community beat officer, PC Don MacKenzie. His aim is to “build local knowledge to understand and respond to the concerns and issues relating to crime and anti-social behaviour in Keswick,” the spokesperson said. Police said Standish Street had been previously raised as an issue and PC MacKenzie had conducted a plain-clothed foot patrol last week.
“The area remains part of the Neighbourhood policing teams patrol plan and is visited while officers are on patrol.
“PC Mackenzie will also be conducting a day of action within Keswick targeting issue areas,” said police.
The spokesperson said police in Keswick regularly post about their patrols on a Facebook page.
Among this week’s posts was a photograph of a sun-kissed Derwentwater, with a pair of police community support officers noting there had been “no issues”.
Mr Watson said such patrols were of little use during the day and needed to be between 11pm and 2am.
A PCSO will attend Keswick Library on Monday September 18, between 1pm-2pm to discuss any persistent crime, disorder or anti-social behaviour.
