POLICE, fire and crime commissioner David Allen attended an event at The Line. 

This was done to promote the improvements made to make the area feel safer.

The work has been made possible after a successful bid to the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund Round Five by the Office of the police fire and crime commissioner.

The Safer Streets Fund Round Five aims to reduce anti-social behaviour (ASB) and provide safer and more welcoming communities.

The Line was highlighted as an ASB and Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) hotspot following consultation with women between 16–20 years old on where they felt unsafe in their local communities and why.

The feedback highlighted that the path was overgrown with low visibility, littered and generally uninviting, especially at night.

Commissioner David Allen said: “This event provides residents with the opportunity to come together and reclaim a part of their community away from potential ASB and criminals.

“A lot of work has been undertaken by the Police, Cumberland Council, and partners to ensure that The Line feels safer for everyone to use

“Simple solutions such as cutting back the vegetation, restoring the paths, and covering graffiti have made the area more welcoming and improved a feeling of safety in the area."

Inspector Pete Aiston from the Allerdale Neighbourhood Policing Team added: “Today’s event has allowed us to showcase the hard work that has been carried out to make The Line safer for everyone, but especially women and girls”.

“We have already received feedback from our communities on the difference cutting back foliage and clearing the area has made to make it a lighter more welcoming place”.

“We have reached our aim of reclaiming the space from those who used it to commit crime and anti-social behaviour, and transformed it into a space enjoyed by dog walkers, local sports clubs and the wider community. We want everyone, but especially women and girls, to reclaim the line and the work carried out has helped us to achieve that”