WORKINGTON is set to see an improvement in community policing with the addition of two new officers to the Neighbourhood Policing Team.

PC Sarah Parkinson and PC Callum Lofthouse have recently begun their roles and will be dedicated officers for the north and south areas of Workington, respectively.

PC Parkinson will oversee areas such as Northside, Seaton, Stainburn, and Great Clifton, while PC Lofthouse will be responsible for Moorclose, Salterbeck, Westfield, and Harrington.

These new officers join the existing Community Beat Officer, PC Catherine Higson, who covers Workington town centre.

Together with the wider Neighbourhood Policing team, they will work to address local issues and prevent crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in the former Allerdale borough area.

The officers have already been seen patrolling their designated areas, making their presence known and tackling any incidents that arise.

PC Parkinson has wasted no time in making an impact, as she has already made two arrests in Workington following a report of theft.

Both suspects have been released on bail as the investigation continues.

The Neighbourhood Policing Team is eager to hear from the community about any other issues affecting them.

To gather this information, they have provided a Police and Communities Together (PACT) survey for the area.

The survey can be accessed through the official Workington Town Police and Communities Together website.

To ensure that issues are promptly addressed, community members are encouraged to fill out the survey by August 21st.

These surveys are conducted every three months to gather feedback and tailor policing efforts to the specific needs of the community.

However, individuals can still report issues through the usual reporting methods if they prefer.

Inspector Pete Aiston, of Allerdale Neighbourhood policing team said: “We are glad to introduce two new Community Beat Officers to the area to help us understand issues and to detect and prevent crime.

“They join PC Catherine Higson who has already seen success since her introduction in November 2021 to the town centre.

“Both will be out in the community over the coming weeks meeting residents and local business owners.”

Police Fire and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, said: “I am delighted that we are now rolling out the new Community Beat Offices right across the county.  I think we all know that good community policing with officers visible on our streets is an effective way to tackle Anti-Social Behaviour and other crimes and we are now delivering. 

“I would encourage communities to work with the community officers, they need information and will be taking the opportunity to get to know local people so do please speak to them when you see them out and about.  Let them know what is going on in your community so that together we can do something about it. 

If you wish to contact Workington’s Community Beat Officer, you can do so by reporting information online.

You can engage with and follow the work of the Allerdale Neighbourhood Policing Team on the Allerdale Local Focus Team by following their Facebook and Twitter.