Peter McCall, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cumbria has met with Conservative MPs to discuss policing and crime across the county.
Mr McCall discussed the measures that he had implemented to improve policing numbers, making officers more visible around the county and the steps he had taken to ensure that victims of cyber-crime and domestic violence received the support that they needed. Cumbria Police are now graded Good with Outstanding aspects by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and is at the leading edge of IT and the deployment of mobile technology and body worn camera both improving evidence and also protecting officers and public.
The Crime Commissioner acknowledged that there is still lots more to do and let MPs know about his six-point plan that he would be using going forward to ensure that this positive work continued within Cumbria.
He said: “I was pleased I was able to speak with MPs from around the county, we are well served by the police in Cumbria and I was reassured that they share that view from their constituency perspectives. It is always useful to hear the issues that they have had as regards police and crime within their constituencies and also to hear of the individual experiences of a number of their constituents and importantly to work collectively with them to deal with and resolve any issues they raise.
“Throughout the time that I have been the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cumbria a lot has been achieved. Record level of police officers, since 2016 113 more officers with another 60 or so to come, new deployment bases opening up in smaller towns and strong partnership working to support victims with other organisations and charities and community groups have all proved that working together is effective and that now is not the time to take the foot off the pedal. More resource for our police force, coupled with greater support for victims and a strong focus on crime will all contribute to better, more widespread policing throughout our county to keep everyone safe. There is more to do but we’re making really good headway.”
Trudy Harrison MP said: “Peter McCall as our Police and Crime Commissioner has been instrumental in ensuring that Cumbria Police is a highly efficient, well organised
and focused organisation. He has personally instigated the acquisition of more police officers to unprecedented levels, more deployment bases and greatly increased partnership
working which will ensure that policing’s fundamental key principles of prevention and then the detection of crime are delivered for our residents.”
Neil Hudson MP said “It was good to meet with the PCC Peter McCall and my Cumbrian MP colleagues to discuss important policing and security matters for our county. It was a chance to further discuss the important issue of rural crime, including animal theft and farm machinery theft, something that is so important that we work together to address.”
John Stevenson MP said “Peter has been an excellent PCC for Cumbria particularly during the last very difficult year. With increase police numbers and strong leadership provided by Peter Cumbria is well served and should continue to support him through the ballot box in May.”
Simon Fell MP said “It was good to catch up with Peter to discuss some of the issues facing Furness and Cumbria at this time. We discussed rural crime, anti-social behaviour, and the challenges that the Police have in handling the uptick in mental health issues at present. We’re incredibly lucky to have a PCC who makes it his job to reach into the communities he represents and who is pushing for more police locally, including in central Barrow, Dalton and Ulverston.”
Mark Jenkinson MP said “I am committed to supporting Peter McCall, the Police and Crime Commissioner to recruit more police in Cumbria. I am delighted that Cumbria now has record numbers of police officers with 60 more to be recruited this year. Speaking to Peter, this has allowed 9 new stations to be open in small towns across Cumbria to increase police presence. This is good news for our smaller towns and villages throughout my constituency of Workington.”
