Cumbrians have been urged to shop a yob to cut anti-social behaviour - as fears continue over teenage tearaways causing trouble in the county.

Crime Commissioner Peter McCall has made the plea for people to come forward with what they know about bad behaviour.

He stressed the need for community information as part of an extra focus by officers on neighbourhood policing following a force revamp.

Mr McCall said people should not accept low level problems - and should come forward to contact the force.


He said: "The chief constable, Jerry Graham, and I absolutely recognise in recent years we have lost some focus on neighbourhood policing.

"We would appeal to communities that we don't accept anti-social behaviour and people should support police by reporting it."

He said there was a need to stop problems developing as they could have a later impact on tackling more serious crime.

"There is a cost to it," added Mr McCall.

"When police are trying to deal with anti-social behaviour they can't concentrate on more serious levels of crime."

The Mail recently reported how gangs of youths had run riot after the Ulverston Lantern Festival earlier this month.

A female police officer was assaulted and four arrests made after dozens of drunk teenagers began causing havoc.

Police said children as young as 12 were caught drinking in the streets, causing several off licences to close early to try to stem the tide of drunken trouble, and neighbouring residents described how families were left "wandering around absolutely scared stiff".

Sgt Rupert Johnson said around 60 youths initially went to Ford Park - previously the finishing point of the festival - but, after seeing it was empty, moved back to the town centre.

He continued: "They were attracted to the town by the lantern parade, but I think that was an excuse to come here to drink and cause trouble."

Others who had travelled on the trains between Barrow and Ulverston that evening contacted The Mail to describe how they felt too intimidated by the large crowds of teenagers to get off at their correct stops.

The emergency services in Barrow have also repeatedly highlighted issues with youths in relation to incidents of trespass and vandalism.

Last month, firefighters warned that members of the public and their own colleagues are being placed in danger because of youths breaking into two derelict buildings on Barrow Island. Fire crews reported being called to arson attacks at the two sandstone mansions in Buccleuch Dock Road where, unable to determine if anyone is trapped inside and needs rescuing, they are forced to navigate crumbling floors and collapsed stairwells to search the building in the dark and find the source of the fire.

There have also been repeated issues with young people breaking into and vandalising the empty Furness House in Barrow. The former tax office has been targeted by children as young as eight, with Barrow Borough Council reporting seeing youths damage and break into the building by the Schneider Square roundabout seven times in the space of one month

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The new neighbourhood policing set up

Police chiefs have revamped neighbourhood policing - providing area inspectors that they say will help tackle lower level community problems.

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

Previously in Cumbria, inspectors 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.

Police chiefs say the new move provides six additional inspectors across the county.

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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

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Police reporting - how it works

For non-emergencies, dial 101. You can reach police to report crime and anti-social behaviour, provide information and seek advice.

The 101 phone line has a flat rate of 15p, meaning that callers will only be charged 15p for the call, however long they on the line.

People are now being encouraged to use the 101 email to ease pressures on the service after an increasing number of calls. Email 101@cumbria.police.uk to contact an officer this way.