Extra police patrols carried out in Barrow town centre after rise in antisocial behaviour
Police have increased patrols in Barrow town centre following reports of more antisocial behaviour.
Officers have been carrying out visible patrols in areas where residents, shoppers and businesses have raised concerns.
The work forms part of Operation Enhance, a county-wide scheme which places extra officers in locations identified as antisocial behaviour hotspots.
Officers patrolling problem areas
Barrow’s Neighbourhood Policing Team has been carrying out high-visibility patrols across the town centre.
The aim is to deter nuisance behaviour, speak with members of the public and respond quickly when problems are reported.
Police have said the patrols follow a reported rise in antisocial behaviour. Officers are asking people to continue reporting incidents so they can identify where extra resources are needed.
Patrols may include uniformed officers walking through shopping areas and visiting places where groups have been gathering.
Barrow is an identified hotspot
Barrow town centre is one of several places included in Operation Enhance.
The areas are selected using reports made by the public and information recorded by Cumbria Police.
The scheme uses extra patrols to reduce antisocial behaviour, prevent violence and reassure people using busy public areas.
Hindpool and Ormsgill have also previously been identified as priority locations in the Barrow area.
Previous figures showed a fall in reports
Figures published earlier this year showed that reports had fallen across six hotspot areas in Barrow and South Lakeland.
Between August 1, 2025, and January 31, 2026, the number of recorded incidents in those areas fell from 116 to 96.
The areas covered included Barrow town centre, Hindpool, Ormsgill, Ulverston, Kendal and Bowness-on-Windermere.
Police have warned, however, that patterns can change. A fresh rise in reports may lead to more patrols being sent to a particular location.
Parents asked to speak with young people
Previous incidents in Barrow town centre have involved groups of young people causing damage and nuisance.
Police have asked parents and guardians to check where their children are going, who they are meeting and what they are doing.
Officers have said they will take action when offences are committed. This could include dispersing groups, making arrests or applying for orders to control repeated behaviour.
How to report an incident
Antisocial behaviour can be reported to Cumbria Police online or by calling 101.
People should call 999 when a crime is happening, someone is in immediate danger or there is a serious risk to the public.
Reports can help police decide where and when future patrols should take place.
