A WEEK-long operation to target violent offenders led to 55 arrests.

Cumbria Police deployed extra patrols to hotspot areas and officers targeted known offenders and those suspected of being in possession of weapons.

While it the Cumbria remains one of the safest areas in the country, the force is keen to emphasis the message that "violence will not be tolerated".

Superintendent Matt Pearman led the week of action, which saw 55 people arrested on suspicion of a range of offences and the recovery of weapons including air rifles, knives, a taser and a Samurai sword from some of those suspects.

He said: “This week has seen a significant number of arrests made and a number of people now face prosecution, providing justice for the victims in each case.

“Cumbria is fortunate not to see the levels of serious violence reported elsewhere in the country, which has featured extensively in the media in recent weeks.

“But we know every case is important to the victims involved and we take violent crime extremely seriously.

“This has not just been about responding to incidents of violence but about actively targeting those in our communities who commit violent offences, carry weapons or who are perpetrators of domestic abuse.

“As we always do when out-and-about in the community, officers have been talking to the public, offering reassurance and keeping intelligence from the community flowing.

“The support of the public is critical in everything we do.”

Supt Pearman said the work does not stop here, adding: “We tackle violent crime and target violent offenders all-year-round.

“People should be aware: Cumbria is not somewhere where violence is tolerated.”

Peter McCall Police and Crime Commissioner was pleased with the results.

He said those who think they can carry out violent crimes in Cumbria will be "pursued robustly" by police in order to bring them to justice.

Officers targeted offenders using violence to carry out serious organised crime. They also undertook high visibility patrols and intelligence-led stop searches and search warrants which led to the high number of arrests and the confiscation of several potentially lethal weapons.

"There is no excuse for anyone to carry weapons on our streets and those who do, will be dealt with using the full force of the law," said Mr McCall.

“Cumbria remains a safe place to live and the police will continue to do everything possible to keep it that way, and everyone of us can help by passing information of anyone you suspect or know to be carrying knives or indeed any other weapons to the police or anonymously to crime stoppers - together let’s keep thugs out of Cumbria and keep our county, one of the safest places to live in the country.”

The crackdown on violence, from March 11 to 17, ran in the same week as Operation Sceptre, a knife surrender in which people had the chance to hand in unwanted blades. Results from this are expected to be shared today.