A scheme which is being used successfully to tackle crime and disorder in rural communities could soon be set for expansion.
Cumbria County Council's Cabinet is being asked to support a new crime and disorder strategy which could see more rural safety groups springing up in communities across the county.
The groups, which are already helping to curb low level nuisance crimes in places like Distington and Seaton, see the Fire & Rescue Service, Adult Social Care, local businesses, youth groups and other organisations coming together to help the police nip trouble in the bud before it escalates.
In the twelve months since its creation, the Distington group has already succeeded in securing CCTV for the village and creating a new multi-use games area for young people.
The national Crime and Disorder Act gives Cumbria County Council powers and responsibility to work with police and other agencies to improve community safety.
At its meeting on 4 September, members of the county council's Cabinet will be asked to endorse a wide-ranging crime reduction strategy which, alongside more support for rural safety groups, includes measures to help tackle a wide range of offences including burglary, theft and anti-social behaviour.
Councillor Elizabeth Barraclough, cabinet member responsible for Safe and Secure Communities, said: "This new strategy builds on some of the excellent work we are already doing and takes that one step further by hard-wiring crime reduction and community safety into every aspect of the council's work.
"Recent changes to the Crime and Disorder Act have strengthened the county council's powers to help tackle crime and disorder in Cumbria.
"The new strategy recognises this and will help the council consider the impact on crime and disorder in all the decisions it takes."
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