Last updated at 07:32, Friday, 05 February 2010

RESIDENTS of Workington are worried about the lack of lighting and police presence in public places at night.

Fears over public safety have been heightened after the attack on an 18-year-old woman on the cycle path behind Grasmere Avenue last month.

Carol Watson, 47, of Fleet Street, Workington, often walks her dog in Vulcan Park and feels it should have better lighting with more community police patrols at night.

She said: “When I walk to work early in the morning I walk through Harrington Road because I wouldn’t dare walk through here. “Women of all ages walk their dogs in here and lighting is a topic of conversation at the moment.

“There should be more community bobbies. I’ve seen one and that was at 5pm in the summer. I’ve never seen any others. I I don’t even know who my community police officer is.”

Joanne Scott, 28, of Wastwater Avenue, Workington, said: “I don’t feel safe walking through the park in the dark. The council needs to put more lights in.

“More rape alarms should be given out. They should give them out to all women. It would make people feel safer to see people in uniform.”

West Cumbria police Ch Supt Steve Johnson said: “It is understandable in the wake of the recent rape in Workington that people are more aware of their personal safety.

“We continue to provide a high visibility presence across the town and the wider area to reassure the community and make sure we are on hand to deal with any concerns.

“In the past we have distributed personal alarms in West Cumbria and we would certainly consider investing in them again if the community think it is a priority.”

He urged people to attend Safer Stronger Cumbria meetings where they can have their say on policing priorities. The next will take place on Thursday from 7pm at Moorclose Community Centre, Needham Drive.

First published at 19:23, Thursday, 04 February 2010
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk