We launch joint campaign with Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch to tackle crime

From left to right: Joe Murray, Chair Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch, Lorrainne Smyth, ACTion with Communities in Cumbria and Gary Murray, North West Regional Manager, Crimestoppers

The Your Cumbria, Your Community, Your Choice campaign seeks to enable communities across Cumbria to come together to reduce crime by either contacting our charity 100% anonymously or by setting up or joining a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

The joint campaign launched during Neighbourhood Watch Week, at the County Hall in Kendal with Joe Murray, Chair Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch, Gary Murray North West Regional Manager, Crimestoppers and Lorrainne Smyth, ACTion with Communities.

In the last 12 months, Crimestoppers has seen a 16% increase in anonymous reports about crime from the public in Cumbria, which has led to arrests, seizures of drugs and vulnerable children and adults safeguarded. Over 2,000 reports were received last year on individual crimes, which was a record number.

Cumbria is one of the safest and most beautiful parts of England. However, the county is not immune to the damage that crime has on families, individuals and the vulnerable.

The public are the eyes and ears of the community, they know those who are seeking to damage their areas through crime and what is suspicious or unusual activity. This information is vital and can be quickly and simply passed on to  Crimestoppers, which is independent of the police, by phone or online or by using the Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch (CNHW) messaging service.

The two charities in Cumbria have worked closely over the last few years on several initiatives, such as highlighting domestic abuse, rural crime and in having joint signage in many Watch scheme areas. 

Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch plays an important part in bringing communities together and in encouraging people to look out for one another and making our communities safer.

There are schemes throughout Cumbria, and it is easy to set up or join a scheme at ourwatch.org/joinNW. It is open to everyone and builds community spirit and cohesion, through scheme WhatsApp and Facebook groups and members of the scheme looking out for one another.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch on this campaign as it is only by organisations working closely together that we can make it more difficult for criminals to operate and ensure that people can make a difference in their community.

“As seen with the rise in reports Crimestoppers has received over the past 12 months, more and more people are willing to come forward, confident that we will guarantee their anonymity and that no one will ever know they contacted us. Their information, via our charity, helps law enforcement to both prevent and tackle crime."

Gary Murray Crimestoppers North West Regional Manager 

“Neighbourhood Watch is about people coming together to look out for one another and make their communities safer by promoting neighbourliness and community cohesion, helping people feel safe and looked out for by their neighbours. 

“We have used Neighbourhood Watch Week to promote our organisation while at the same time to highlight the exceptional work of one of our partners, Crimestoppers. 

“Around the country, we hear and see the positive impact that Crimestoppers can have on communities. It provide a real opportunity for people in every community to impact on crime with an assurance that information can be given anonymously. Crimestoppers never ask for your personal information and they do not track your device.”

Joe Murray QPM, Chair Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch Association

“Everyone has the right to feel safe, wherever they live. It’s important to raise awareness of the essential services that Crimestoppers and Neighbourhood Watch schemes offer. 

“We know that it can be difficult to come forward with information. You might have seen or heard something about a crime but don't know what to do or are scared to give information.

“In helping to keep our communities safe, we urge members of the public to pass any information about suspicious or criminal behaviour onto Crimestoppers. Their service is 100% anonymous and your information helps the police in their investigations. It is only by working together that we can help keep Cumbria one of the safest counties to live, work and visit.”

Peter McCall, Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner 

“Rural crime is harder to spot and solve but can have a significant impact in our rural communities. Neighbourhood Watch and Crimestoppers provide tools for people and ways to work together in their communities to create safer spaces for the benefit of all.”

Lorrainne Smyth from ACTion with Communities in Cumbria