Cumbria Police are launching a new survey so officers can hear more from women and girls on how they feel about their own personal safety in Cumbria.

The online survey seeks opinion on topics including how women and girls feel in their own homes, neighbourhoods and towns - and includes questions about their own experiences.

Officers are aiming to use this information to better inform the county’s policing services as part of ongoing work to address the national issue of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

A range of work has already been carried out as the constabulary improves and updates policing services and the response to these offences and these issues.

But the constabulary is always aiming to improve and officers are seeking first-hand experiences and opinions to help with this.

The work so far on this issue has seen positive results that means Cumbria has been a leading force nationally in the last year.

In Cumbria:

Since April 2022, Cumbria has been ranked either first or second in the country for convictions at court in relation to VAWG offences, with an average of between 84 per cent and nearly 87 per cent ending in a guilty plea or verdict.

The survey, which is completely anonymous, is available at: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/LSYSYC/

It will run until April 2.

Detective Superintendent Sally Blaiklock said: “Violence against women and girls is unacceptable and Cumbria Constabulary and our partners always treat these issues seriously.

“In Cumbria Constabulary, we all wish to deliver an outstanding service and keep all people safe.

“In this respect, violence against women and girls is no different and we are always looking to see how we can get better and improve our services for the sake of our communities in Cumbria.

“Feeling unsafe is obviously not an experience exclusive to women and girls.

“But sexual violence and harassment offences are overwhelmingly committed by males against females.

“We believe we have made great progress in improving how we deal with these offences and issues.

“We have implemented a range of measures, operations and activities to make women and girls feel safer and to deter these crimes and tackle the perpetrators of these offences.”

Work carried out so far includes street patrols to deter potential offenders, specialist training for officers, the creation of a new dedicated operational Violence Against Women and Girls detective inspector post and work with partners to protect the vulnerable.

Det Supt Blaiklock added: “The conviction rates achieved by our work with the CPS putting cases before the courts also shows how seriously we take these offences and the work that goes into cases.

“Cumbria is one of the safest places to live. However, these crimes do happen here.

“They can happen behind closed doors or in public places, online or in the real world.

“We have carried out a lot of work to address the issue of violence against women and girls and we believe this survey will be our latest tool to help our drive to constantly improve.”

What is VAWG?

The term Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) refers to acts of violence or abuse that we know disproportionately affect women and girls.

Crimes and behaviour covered by this term include rape and other sexual offences, domestic abuse, stalking, ‘honour’-based abuse - as well as many others, including offences committed online.

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HOW DO I REPORT TO POLICE?

If you wish to report to police you can do so online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it.

You can also phone on 101.

Always phone 999 in an emergency or if a crime is in progress.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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