We all have the right to live our lives in safety. Improving community safety is one of our highest priorities. Crime levels within Cumbria are low relative to the rest of England and Wales and have reduced significantly in recent years.
Cumbria County Council's role in improving community safety for the people of Cumbria is recognised at two levels, in partnership with other organisations and cross-directorate within our own organisation.
The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (currently under review) and the 2002 Police Reform Act placed a statutory duty on the County Council, District/Borough Council, Police, Fire Service and Primary Care Trusts to form a partnership to tackle crime and disorder (Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships - CDRP’s). It also placed a statutory duty on these bodies to consider crime and disorder within their own organisations under Section 17.
We have an important role to play in making Cumbria Safer. No one agency is solely responsible for making this happen but by working together, pooling resources and a strong commitment, Cumbria County Council can contribute significantly to a Safer Stronger Cumbria.
The Community Safety Department
The Community Safety Department is based within the Public Protection Directorate. Paul Musgrave is the Community Safety Manager and Louise Kelly is the Community Safety Policy Officer.
The Community Safety Team take a co-ordinating role for the County Council in working with partner agencies to develop, implement and monitor Community Safety strategies and plans, and to support and advise Elected Members and other key County Council Departments in their work on such issues. Officers are continually developing policy and strategy in the areas of Community Safety and implementing Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 at County Council level. To work with partners to develop policy options which enable the Council to achieve positive community safety outcomes for the people of Cumbria.
The County Council is working closely with the 4 Community Safety Partnerships (also known as Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnerships – CDRP’s) within the County Council’s administrative boundary, namely Carlisle and Eden, West Cumbria, South Lakeland and Barrow.
To contact the Community Safety team please follow the 'contact us' link in the menu provided.