Night-time economy policing operation relaunched in Windermere and Ulverston

Operation Regulate, a dedicated policing operation focussing on issues within the night-time economy, relaunched in Ulverston and Windermere last weekend.

In advance of the weekend, members of the Westmorland and Furness Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) visited the University of Cumbria Ambleside Campus to speak to students during Freshers week about safety and issues such as spiking.

On Friday night (September 20), officers were out in Ulverston town centre conducting high visibility foot patrols and visiting licences premises. This activity was replicated in Bowness-on-Windermere on Saturday night (September 21).

In total across the two areas, 25 licensed premises were visited by police and the Licensing Authority, including full checks conducted as to their compliance with the conditions of their licence, toilets checked for evidence of drug use and staff spoken to regarding the adoption and promotion of the “Ask for Angela” campaign

Further licensed premises were visited across Barrow, Eden and Kendal over the same weekend.

Officers also carried out a number of stop searches as part of the patrol activity, resulting in the recovery of drugs and an offensive weapon.

In support of the National Anti-Spiking Intensification week last week (16-22 September), and in conjunction with the Operation Regulate activity, we opened up our Welfare Hub over the weekend to hand out anti-spiking and personal safety products and provided information and advice.

On Friday, the Welfare Hub opened in the foyer of Ulverston Business Centre on New Market Street, Ulverston from 7pm until midnight. On Saturday, it was open in the grounds of St Martin’s Church, Bowness on Windermere, also from 7pm to midnight. On both evenings the NPT were supported by volunteers from Westmorland and Furness Council.

T/ Sergeant Becky Hunter, Neighbourhood Policing, said: “Operation Regulate has been reinstated in response to concerns from the local communities in Ulverston and Windermere.

“Over the weekend we had officers in both locations who were there to reassure both the local residents and those using the night-time economy that we support safe and peaceful use of the local pubs and bars, but that anti-social behaviour, violence and drug use will not be tolerated.

“Our welfare hubs were also running to offer support and a safe space for anyone who came into difficulty during a night out.

“We hope that our presence in these areas and proactive work will assist those who need us on a night out, as well as acting as a deterrent to anyone thinking about committing any kind of crime.”

Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “It’s absolutely vital that residents, students and visitors feel safe on a night out here in the county and I’m pleased to see our Police being pro-active in ensuring this.

“As Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner it is my job to be the voice of the public within Policing so it’s really positive to see that the local NPT have listened to the concerns of their residents and taken action to reassure the public.

“The Welfare Hubs are a great resource – initial funding provided from my Office via the Home Office’s Safety of Women at Night Fund – that started in Carlisle and has now expanded. I would encourage anyone that sees the Welfare Hub when out at night and needs help, to approach the Police and volunteers – they are there to help.”

There are increased patrols in Ulverston town centre and Bowness on Windermere as part of Operation Enhance targeting anti-social behaviour (ASB) and serious violence, hotspot areas have been identified across the county.