2 days ago
Police issue statement after Paddington Bear statue vandal convicted
CUMBRIA Police have said that they 'will not tolerate' anti-social behaviour and violence after a vandal who damaged a popular Paddington bear statue in Penrith was convicted.
Anil Puri, aged 56, appeared at Carlisle Magistrates' Court on Tuesday after causing criminal damage to a Paddington Bear Statue in Little Dockray in December.
Magistrates fined Puri, of Stanstead Road, Lewisham, London, £50. He must also pay £290 compensation to Penrith Business Improvement District (BID), along with £85 costs and a £20 mandatory surcharge.
After Puri's conviction, community beat officer PC Stewart Green highlighted the force's commitment to tackling 'anti-social behaviour and violence' in hotspot areas such as Penrith town centre.
READ MORE: Vandal dumped shrub over statue of beloved Paddington bear, causing outcry
He said: "Eden Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) will continue to target those who seek to commit offences such as this within our local community, including through Operation Enhance - our operation dedicated to tackling antisocial behaviour and violence in hotspot areas including in Penrith town centre."
"I hope this conviction serves as a reminder to other offenders that 'this type of behaviour will not be tolerated by Cumbria Police."
Operation Enhance is funded after Cumbria's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner secured an additional £1million of extra funding from the Government's Hotspot Response Fund to target anti-social behaviour (ASB) and serious violence in hotspot areas across the county.
There are increased patrols in Penrith Town Centre area as part of Operation Enhance.
