POLICE officers, firefighters and councillors came together as part of an initiative to engage with members of the community in a vulnerable Barrow neighbourhood.

The Street Safe operation saw agencies including Cumbria Constabulary, Cumbria Fire and Rescue and Barrow Borough Council unite to visit approximately 100 houses in Ormsgill on Thursday November 17 to talk to residents about their concerns.

The Barrow estate has been listed as a residential neighbourhood which requires attention under the Vulnerability Localities Index, prompting a proactive community operation to be launched in January earlier this year.

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Inspector Matt Pearman, who helped to co-ordinate Thursday's scheme, believes that a lot of progress has been made to tackle crime in the estate.

He said: "They have told us that they are concerned about drug supply, so we have obtained warrants and made a lot of arrests.

"This neighbourhood is very similar to others, in that there are a huge number of people who are working together to make it the best place it can be going forwards.

"But, as with every estate, there is a small minority of people who don't want to contribute to that and are involved in criminal activity. Our message to them is that this is a community coming together and we won't stand for any criminality."

Since January, the force has also been trying to engage with youngsters in a bid to keep them off the streets, with a lot of residents sharing a concern about a rise in anti-social behaviour.

Mr Pearman added: "They told us they were concerned about anti-social behaviour, so we have done a lot for younger people to make sure that they are less likely to be on the streets at night.

"There are now various positive activities that youngsters can get involved with such as going to the youth club in Middlefield or going to football sessions which are held throughout the year."

Stephen Lock, 63, of Hazel Close, has lived in Ormsgill for 10 years and thinks that excessive alcohol consumption and speeding are two of the biggest issues on the estate.

He said: "If it was invented today it would be banned. I think that 90 per cent of trouble around here is due to alcohol and drugs.

"Speeding of cars is also a problem. This is a family-orientated area, but you do often see cars speeding. I will be doing 30mph and I will have people flashing me, wanting me to speed up, even though that is the speed limit."

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One of the biggest concerns facing the fire service was a lack of smoke alarms in properties. As a result, firefighters agreed to fit the alarms free of charge and carry out risk assessments on any homes in Ormsgill that required them.

Jamie Coward, who is the watch manager in charge of Barrow fire station, said: "We will fit smoke alarms free of charge in any homes that want them.

"We wholeheartedly support these events, which we have done in the past. They prove to be really beneficial and it sends out a clear message to the community that we as organisations are here to support them."

Anyone wishing to talk to police about any ongoing issues or criminality in Ormsgill, is urged to call 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.