Crimestoppers and PubWatch join forces to keep Whitehaven’s nightlife safe

As a charity, independent of the police, we've teamed up with Whitehaven PubWatch to launch a campaign aimed at reducing crime, tackling antisocial behaviour and encouraging people to share information anonymously.

Pictured at the launch of our campaign. L to R: Gary Murray, Crimestoppers North West Regional Manager; Joe Murray, North West PubWatch; Sarah Hindle, Cumbria Police; Jason Fisher, Whitehaven PubWatch.Whitehaven has a vibrant nightlife, with PubWatch members working hard to ensure people can enjoy a safe evening out. The message is clear: drug dealing, sexual harassment, violence, and drink or drug driving will not be tolerated. Through this partnership, the public is being asked to play their part by reporting what they know 100% anonymously to Crimestoppers, either online here on our website or by phone, any time of the day or night, on 0800 555 111.

Awareness materials, including posters and social media content, will highlight how people can share concern safely and anonymously.

If successful, the initiative is expected to extend to PubWatch schemes across Cumbria within the next six months.

“Crimestoppers is delighted to work with PubWatch to make Whitehaven safer for everyone. We’ve seen record levels of information coming in from Cumbria, and this initiative will build on that momentum by raising even greater awareness of our anonymous service.”

Gary Murray, North West Regional Manager for Crimestoppers

“Whitehaven PubWatch is one of the most active schemes in the country, given the recent decision by members to ban drug users for 5 years.

“This partnership is a reflection of the determination of Licensees to create a safer environment for people to enjoy themselves when out in the night time economy. The initiative with Crimestoppers sends a clear message: “Criminals are not welcome in our pubs and clubs and together with our customers, we will take measures to ensure those using and dealing drugs and committing crime are identified.”

Joe Murray QPM, National PubWatch Regional Representative and Coordinator for the North of England

“We want residents and visitors to go out and enjoy everything our local nightlife has to offer in Whitehaven. Whitehaven is a great town that’s thriving and has so much to offer residents and visitors alike. 

“However, we will not tolerate aggressive, harassing or dangerous behaviour. Everyone deserves to feel safe in the nighttime economy. 

“If you see something when you’re out, please report it to either bar staff or Police on 101, or 999 in an emergency. Don’t just put it on Facebook or similar and assume that the police will have seen it, report it via the proper, official channels.

“PubWatch is a great scheme – it does work to deter poor behaviours and, having set up one of the first ones in the county back when I was a Sergeant many years ago, I do firmly believe that they play a key part in reducing alcohol-related crime and improving the safety of the evening and night time economy. National research shows that where a strong PubWatch scheme is set up that it improves safety in licensed premises, but also in the wider town centres where it is in place.

“If you don’t feel comfortable being identified, you can call Crimestoppers to report anonymously. I’ve worked with Crimestoppers for years; you are genuinely anonymous and your reporting will get to where it needs to quickly.

“We can all do our part to keep our communities safe; please report in a way that you are comfortable with and we can protect Cumbria’s safety.”

David Allen, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner

Please note: No-one will ever know you contacted Crimestoppers. With Crimestoppers-uk.org and Fearless.org, computer IP addresses are never traced. For telephone calls to the independent charity’s UK Contact Centre, there is no caller line display and no 1471 facility. You will stay 100% anonymous. Always. 

16 October 2025