CHRISTMAS nights out in Carlisle just got safer.
Cumbria Police are responding to concerns felt by women and girls by sending out specialist patrols to offer reassurance and catch offenders in busy nightlife areas during the festive party season.
More high-visibility officers will be out in the run-up to Christmas, while police in plain clothes will also be deployed to identify anyone displaying inappropriate or predatory behaviour.
Detective Inspector Mike Taylor said: “We’ve listened to what women and girls have said – and one of the concerns raised in the survey was about being a victim of crime in the night-time economy.
“Let’s be clear: Feeling unsafe is obviously not an experience exclusive to women and girls and our officers are out there to protect everyone and ensure everyone’s welfare.
“But some of the offences that occur in the night time economy, such as sexual offences and harassment offences, are overwhelmingly committed by males against females.
“The concerns women have about feeling unsafe on a night out merits this extra focus – and our patrols will act accordingly.”