Dalton is set to welcome a new dedicated police officer.

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall announced this week that WPC Hannah While will begin patrolling the streets of Dalton, Askam, Ireleth, Newton, Lindal and Marton with immediate effect.

After a spate of reports of anti-social behaviour in the town, Barrow MP Simon Fell is pleased that the Dalton area was placed as a priority by local police.

Mr Fell said: "Getting more police officers onto the streets of Furness is one of the people’s priorities.

"In Dalton, residents tell me that they’re fed up of petty crime and anti-social behaviour, and they want to see a community police officer back on their streets.

“Through working together with local councillors in Dalton, Peter McCall, and local residents’ groups, we have made the case for the Dalton area and I’m delighted that Cumbria Constabulary has taken this seriously and appointed WPC While.

"Hannah will make an enormous difference in helping to cut crime and keep people safe."

In a joint statement, Barrow councillors for Dalton North Sam Ronson, Daniel Edwards and Ben Shirley said: "As councillors for Dalton North we welcome this news and thank Simon Fell and Peter McCall for their work in making this happen.

"We have been working together with the local communities in Dalton, Askam, Lindal and Marton and the local police to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime in our area.

"We look forward to working with Police Constable Hannah While and we extend a warm welcome to her to our area."

Dalton South councillors Shaun Blezard, Wendy Maddox and Steve Nott added: "We welcome the news that finally a dedicated police constable is going to be once again patrolling the streets of Dalton and the surrounding areas.

"Years of policing cutbacks across the county have seen Dalton residents suffer as crime and anti-social behaviour has risen sharply.

"We are pleased that, having campaigned for a number of years alongside residents for dedicated officers to be based in Dalton again, sense has finally been seen."

Mr McCall added: "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 with 143 more officers with another 60 or so to come.

"I appreciate that we can’t always deliver resources as quickly as residents might sometimes prefer, and importantly this must be led by operational requirements.

"Residents of the Dalton area can now be reassured that, together with the police, we have listened and responded to your calls for safer streets.

"I would ask residents to play your part in reporting any concerns or information regarding crime in the area to the police, so that they can act swiftly on it to keep our streets safe."