Last updated at 15:11, Tuesday, 29 July 2008

Garry Armstrong, sergeant at Keswick talks abouth the chaging role of the Community officers and their work in Keswick

Sergeant Garry Armstrong, Keswick

Despite its reputation as a holiday venue and a retirement hotspot, Keswick is no different to any other area when it comes to a community policing role. It experiences the same problems with anti-social behaviour and youth crime as other towns around Cumbria with the added burden of a massive influx of tourists during the holiday season.

The location of keswick obviously gives rise to some specific policing issues. The theft of walking and cycling equipment is a big problem at the height of the holiday season. Mountain bikes valued at several thousand pounds, some more than the cost a a family car are frequently left unlocked and unattended which can prove to be too much of a temptation for theives.

Garry said, "It would help us a lot if people would just take some basic advice. People are constantly leaving valuable peices of walking or cycling equipment unattending with no thought for their security. These people wouldn't dream of leaving their house or their car unlocked but they often don't appreciate the real value of their equipment."

A spate of thefts of backpacks occurred when walkers insisted on leaving valuable walking equipment at the foot of fells while they went off for a days walking. It seemed a suprise to them that their equipment was missing on their return. It is sometimes the case that the gear has been handed in by a passer by but it is often neveer seen again. garry urges walkers to take a little more care with valuable items of walking and trekking equipment.

Alcohol is a perennial problems in a town of Keswick's size but Garry Armstrong realises that a balance view is needed when dealing with social drinkers. 

Gary said, "The centre is a designated no-alcohol area. It's important to strike a balance. It's a tourist town and we use our discretion. A family enjoying a glass of wine by the river with a picnic are obviously going to be treated a little differently to a group of under age youths drinking in then town centre."

With the holiday season upon us and no increase in staffing levels for a busy police station, it falls on all of us, locals and visitors alike to take basic precautions with expensive posessions and make a break in Keswick one to rtemember for all of the right reasons.

First published at 12:49, Monday, 28 July 2008
Published by http://www.keswicklocal.co.uk