Police chiefs in Cumbria have revamped neighbourhood policing - providing area inspectors that they say will bring the force closer to the community.

Responsibilities have been redrawn, with Carlisle, Eden, Allerdale, Copeland, Barrow and the South Lakes patches having their own leader.

Previously inspectors have had responsibility for a wider area geographically, as well as for the patrol side of policing.

They covered areas designated as north, west and south Cumbria.

The force says the dedicated neighbourhood inspectors will allow officers to focus more on community issues and problems.

There has previously been criticism that neighbourhood policing might suffer in the wake of budget cuts.

In previous years before budget cuts there was a much-publicised focus in Cumbria on having set beat teams, covering a particular neighbourhood.

The force says the new move provides six additional inspectors across the county.

Four of these have been funded by the office of the county's crime commissioner, Peter McCall - and two by the force.

Chief Superintendent Andy Towler said: “We understand how much members of the public value neighbourhood policing and these changes allow us to focus more on neighbourhood issues.

“Our dedicated neighbourhood inspectors now have their working patterns better aligned with those of our partners, meaning that they, along with problem-solving sergeants, officers and police community support officers, can work with other agencies to tackle these issues together.

“These changes have been implemented following consultation with our officers and we believe the new model will offer an even better policing service to the people of Cumbria.”

Mr McCall said: “I am very aware how important neighbourhood policing is to the public.

"For this reason I have found funding for four of the new neighbourhood inspector posts.

"I welcome these changes to our neighbourhood policing teams.

"I know from the people that I meet and talk to, that many see neighbourhood policing a key factor in keeping their communities safe."

Mr McCall said he was determined crimefighters must hit local issues, such as rowdy anti-social behaviour.

He said these type of problems could "make life miserable for the law abiding majority".

"I expect that the additional inspectors will bring focus on these issues and will really make a difference to people locally," he added.

"It is important to stress that many of the local issues require a multi-agency approach and we must all work together, including the public, to make it clear that we won’t tolerate anti-social behaviour in our communities.

"It is unacceptable and together with the police and partners we will address it."

The inspectors and their patches are:

* Carlisle District - Inspector Andy Hanson

* Eden District - Inspector Gaynor Taylor

* Allerdale District - Inspector Rachel Gale

* Copeland District - Inspector Rachel Jones and Inspector Mark Wear

* Barrow Borough District - Inspector Jim Bailey

* South Lakeland - Inspector Paul Latham