An operation was held on Friday 1 March targeting anti-social behaviour in Maryport and Aspatria. 
 

Anti-social behaviour has been a major problem across West Cumbria over the past 12 months with a senior police officer recently warning of the ‘detrimental impact’ it can have on communities.

During the evening, officers stopped 16 vehicles and requested the production of documentation from two drivers who were unable to produce these upon request at the roadside.  

Officers also conducted a drug wipe test and two breath tests on three drivers of vehicles stopped during the evening, all of which were negative.

An E-scooter was also seized by officers. E-scooters are illegal to use on roads, footpaths, cycle tracks/lanes, bridleways, or byways. The only legal place privately purchased scooters can be ridden are on private land with the owner's consent.

E-scooters are classed as a powered transporter and come under the same legislation as motor vehicles, therefore you need a licence and insurance to ride them. They also need to be registered to be ridden on the road and are subject to technical standards such as MOT and vehicle tax.

Sergeant Neil McKinnell from the Neighbourhood Policing Team said “Targeting anti-social behaviour is a priority for us. 

“We continue to be proactive in our efforts to disrupt this behaviour with operations such as this one which also seen us targeting road traffic offences. 

“We ask parents and carers to speak to young people about their behaviour whilst out in our community as well as the consequences. 

“Reporting incidents to us is also important so that we can direct our resources and our Community Beat Officers can look into and address the issues." 

PC Don Mackenzie started in Keswick as the dedicated community beat officer on May 23 last year.

In his first six months in the area overall crime reduced by 17 per cent, ASB reduced by 12.5 per cent and Burglary dropped by 33 per cent in Keswick, according to Cumbria Police. 

PC Mackenzie has been instrumental in setting up the new ‘shopwatch’ initiative with local businesses, which allows for better communication between local shops and the Police, targeting shoplifters. 

READ MORE: Labour candidates call for action on Carlisle anti-social behaviour

He also works closely with the PCSO for Keswick, engages with the community and helps to solve problems through effective joint working with partners.

Community beat officers have been praised by the deputy police, fire and crime commissioner for Cumbria, Mike Johnson who said that having "dedicated officers in our communities is a great way to understand both the people and issues which need to be addressed."