Latest news with #CumbriaConstabulary
Sky News
3 days ago
- General
- Sky News
Carlisle woman charged with attempted murder of Cumbria police officers
A woman has been charged with attempted murder after two police officers were injured with a knife. The incident happened when officers were called to an address in Carlisle, Cumbria, at 9.30am on Wednesday, Cumbria Constabulary said. A female officer sustained a facial injury, which was described as not life-threatening, while a male officer suffered a hand injury, said not to be life-changing. Hannah Smaile, 25, of Lister Court, Carlisle, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder and threatening a person with a bladed article in a private place. She will appear at Carlisle Magistrates' Court on Thursday. Chief Superintendent Andy Wilkinson said: "Our officers and staff work incredibly hard to keep people in Cumbria safe. "Police officers, like everyone else in society, should be able to go to work without fear of being assaulted. "Both officers received treatment yesterday and have since been discharged and will receive continued support from the constabulary following this incident."
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Driver with £7k hidden in his shorts said it was for 'a hair transplant'
A MOTORIST stopped by the police on the M6 near Carlisle said the £7,000 in his shorts was to pay for a hair transplant. The man offered that explanation to police officers during a conversation when he repeatedly changed his account for why he had been to Scotland and why he had the money. At the city's Rickergate court, a Cumbria Constabulary financial investigator said that the man - in his 30s and from Manchester – initially claimed he had been to Lanarkshire to visit his grandmother. He said she was unwell and that was why he visited. But when pressed for details, said the investigator, the man was unable to provide any, including his grandmother's address or even the town where he claimed she was living. Nor could he provide any other details. The man also gave misleading information about his recent past, which police say has included him being arrested on suspicion of producing the Class B drug cannabis. The financial investigator had earlier outlined how the police stopped the defendant's Seat car on the afternoon of May 2, on the hard shoulder near to Southwaite Services. The officers searched the car. Under the driver's seat, they found a car containing a small jar of cannabis. 'The officers also found that the driver had something concealed in his shorts, which he said was some cash,' said the investigator. 'He stated that he did not know how much was there. 'He also said he did not know whose cash it was but it was not his. The money was in a plastic, heat-sealed bag and appeared to be in Bank of Scotland notes.' A short time later, the man changed his account, telling the officers that there was in fact £7,400 in cash and that his grandmother had given him the money to fund a hair transplant. Around £2,000 of the money, he said, was for his mother. The investigator asked Deputy District Judge Andrew Teate to grant an order under the Proceeds of Crime Act that allows Cumbria Police to continue holding the cash for a further four months so that its origins can be further investigated. The judge granted the order, ruling that, on the balance of probabilities, there are grounds for suspecting the money is either the product of or linked to criminal activity. The driver was told in advance about the police application but he was not in court for the hearing.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Yahoo
Nine arrests and more than £500,000 seized in crackdown on drug supply
OVER half a million pounds has been seized and nine arrests made following a police operation in Carlisle. Operation Huelva, which was conducted yesterday, Friday, May 2, was funded by the police, fire, and crime commissioner, David Allen, as part of the Drugs Fund. In total, seven warrants were executed across the city, leading to nine people being arrested for a variety of offences, including the supply of controlled drugs and possession of criminal property. Volumes of cocaine, ketamine, and cannabis were recovered across these warrants, as well as more than £556,000 in cash. Officers also seized over a thousand cannabis vapes, hundreds of edibles, and a samurai sword. Detective superintendent Ian Hussey said: 'Operation Huelva, is the fourth policing operation we have carried out this year to target criminals involved in illicit drugs. 'This operation targeted activities within Carlisle and aimed to disrupt, prevent and target those who supply drugs in our communities. 'The work falls under the umbrella of Cumbria Constabulary's overarching response to serious and organised crime – Operation Alliance. 'As part of this operation, officers carried out several warrants to target criminals. We also had officers out in the city centre visiting pubs and clubs and providing a visible presence to disrupt criminal behaviour. 'We urge anyone with information on drug activities within our community to report information to us.' Following the warrants, officers moved into the city centre, visiting licensed premises, speaking to management and engaging with customers. Officers were also giving out advice on spiking and conducting work to prevent Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Cumbria's police, fire and crime commissioner, David Allen, added: 'Time and time again, residents raise with me their concerns around drugs within our communities, which is why it is, quite rightly, one of my key priorities to disrupt and end drugs supply in Cumbria. 'The Police and I have a zero-tolerance policy regarding drugs – the funding provided by my Office to the Police allows us to target and tackle the individuals who deal drugs in Cumbria." You can report information about drug dealing in the community or think someone may be a victim of drug exploitation, quickly and easily online via:
ITV News
29-04-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Police Chief of Cumbria now 'preferred candidate' to lead Merseyside force
The Chief Constable of Cumbria has been named as the "preferred candidate" to be the next top officer of Merseyside Police. Rob Carden spent much of his policing career on Merseyside, following in his father's footsteps, before moving to Cumbria to become its Deputy Chief in 2022. He was chosen by Merseyside's Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, after a day-long assessment described as an "interview, presentation, and mock media exercise, all designed to test his communication skills, leadership and cultural and political astuteness and sensitivity". Ms Spurrell said: "Rob is a very experienced officer who has already dedicated 20 years of his career serving the people of Merseyside, leading on a number of extremely high-profile and challenging incidents. 'He has done an excellent job as Chief Constable of Cumbria Constabulary and will bring a wealth of operational experience and a clear passion for policing to the role." While at Merseyside, Mr Carden oversaw the force's response to the Covid-19 pandemic including the initial repatriation of British nationals to Arrowe Park Hospital. He was also in charge of policing for the Grand National four times. Mr Carden will now go before the Merseyside Police and Crime Panel for a confirmation hearing on 12 May. They will review his selection and do have the power to veto the PCC's choice. The process to find a new top officer for the force was triggered by the retirement of existing Chief Constable Serena Kennedy. who is standing down in August. Ms Spurrel added: "Serena has been an outstanding leader and a dedicated servant to the public of Merseyside, and I am very sorry she is leaving the force, but I'm confident that with Rob taking over the role we can ensure a smooth transition, ensuring Merseyside Police remains one of the top performing police forces in the country."
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Yahoo
Hundreds of cannabis plants seized by police in drugs blitz
Police in Cumbria have seized nearly 700 cannabis plants worth £550,000 in a massive drugs crackdown. Raids were carried out over three days, targeting industrial-scale cannabis farms run by organised crime gangs. The swoop was part of Operation Mille, a national effort to tackle illegal grows, and Cumbria Constabulary's Operation Alliance with overall aims to bust serious and organised crime. Cops stormed properties in Workington and Seascale, shutting down drug factories. Detective Superintendent Ian Hussey said these cannabis farms are no small-time operations: 'Some people may think cannabis-related crime is not serious. 'But some of the grows uncovered by our officers in Cumbria during their duties and investigations throughout the year are on an industrial level. 'This type of drugs enterprise in general can also involve exploitation and violence, with crime gangs using this to protect their cannabis grows. 'People should be under no illusion that serious and organised crime groups operate in Cumbria. 'It is these groups who are behind the industrial levels of cannabis growth grown in the sort of premises we target all-year-round.' He urged the public to be on high alert and report suspicious activity. Telltale signs of a cannabis farm include: Strong, sickly odours coming from a property Windows constantly covered Excessive security measures like CCTV Condensation on windows A high number of visitors at odd hours Bright lights running all day and night The constant hum of ventilation DS Hussey added of the dangers these illegal operations pose: 'Cannabis farms are very dangerous places and pose a serious risk of fire. 'Often the electricity meter has been bypassed - and seriously overloaded electrical circuits run close to water-filled pipes. 'Plants grown upstairs in a building can also cause floorboards to rot, presenting the danger of collapse.' READ NEXT: Men arrested after moped theft Do you have information that can help the police? Anyone with information can report online at You can also phone on 101. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
