West Cumbria Opportunities & Challenges 2025 44 45 In line with wider Cumbria trends, drug misuse figures are of concern. In addition, although the statistics regarding violence and sexual offences have been relatively stable over the last year following spikes during the Covid-19 pandemic, these crimes still account for a significant proportion of all reported crimes, reaching as high as 50.6% in Millom (in April 2024). National statistics show that Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) is increasing. Over one million VAWG related crimes were recorded during 2022/2023, accounting for 20% of all police recorded crime and representing an increase of 37% since 2018. At least 1 in every 12 women are likely to be a victim per year, with the exact number expected to be much higher due to underreporting. One in every six murders related to domestic abuse in 2022/2023, with suspected victim suicides following domestic abuse rising year-on-year.34 Child sexual abuse and exploitation has also increased nationally by 435% between 2013 and 2022. More locally, data from The Freedom Project Cumbria35 indicated that in 2021/2022 the charity delivered 4,225 sessions for both adults and children. By 2023/2024 this figure had risen to 4,789, a 4.7% increase. Referrals have also increased by 22.7% since 2022/2023, with 356 people referred that had previously never accessed the service. Of these 206 people (or 58%) were from Allerdale and 113 (or 32%) were from Copeland.36 It is also of note that shoplifting rates have also increased. By way of example in Egremont, there has been a rise of 1.2% (from 2% to 3.2%) over the last three years. In South Workington, there has been a 1.7% rise (from 10.4% to 12.1%). 26 Initial assessments of statutory homelessness duties owed England, October to December 2024, https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-homelessness 27 A local authority will owe an applicant the main housing duty when the duty to relieve homelessness has ended, and they are satisfied the applicant is: homeless and eligible for assistance; in priority need and not intentionally homeless. 28 If the person is threatened with homelessness the authority has a duty to help prevent them becoming homeless (the prevention duty). If the person is already homeless the authority has a duty to help them secure accommodation for at least 6 months (the relief duty). 29 https://crimerate.co.uk/cumbria 30 2023-2024 Annual Report: Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (Cumbria). 31 Using www.police.uk data. Please note areas quoted do not necessarily align with ward boundary definitions. 32 The table includes figures from the most reported crimes. Other statistics are available through www.police.uk for each area shown including for example vehicle theft and shoplifting. 33 Figures extracted from www.police.uk are based on a May 2024 calculation. 12 months previous covers the period May 2023-2024. 3 years previous covers May 2021-May 2024. 34 National Policing Statement 2024 For Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) - July 2024, https://news.npcc.police.uk/resources/vteb9-ec4cx-7xgru-wufru-5vvo6 35 The Freedom project provide a free, holistic, family-based approach, working with victims, perpetrators and children suffering from trauma and the effects of domestic and sexual abuse. The charity provides emotional support, practical support, 1-1 counselling and group work with the ultimate aim of trying to break the cycle of abuse, helping people recover and move on with their lives. 36 Annual Report 2023/2024: The Freedom Project Cumbria, 2024. ACCESS TO SERVICES Population density (the number of usual residents per square kilometre as at Census Day on the 21st March 2021 stood at 77.4 in Allerdale and 91.7 in Copeland 37, compared to England and Wales at 394.6.38 This relatively low population density reflects the rural nature of many parts of West Cumbria and these areas face multiple challenges. Proportionally fewer premises in rural areas across England (47%) have access to gigabit broadband than in urban areas (84%) and nationally in 2021, people in the most rural areas travelled nearly twice as many miles as those living in urban areas, with secondary school pupils having to travel twice as far to school as those in urban areas. 1 in 20 households nationally had no car or van and rural residents on average needed to allow at least 78 minutes to reach the nearest hospital by public transport services.39 While presenting an idyllic picture to those visiting the area, access to services for rural communities in West Cumbria poses very real challenges. Many services that communities need, particularly access to GPs, hospitals, work and education are located in larger towns in West Cumbria such as Workington or Whitehaven, or in larger conurbations that are located out of the area, such as Carlisle or Barrow-in-Furness. Transport infrastructure connects West Cumbria via arterial routes such as the A595, A596 and the A66. The Cumbrian Coastline railway links Carlisle and Barrow via Workington and Whitehaven. These provide good connections for some communities to each other, but do not cover the whole area – leaving some areas more isolated. Bus services are also available, but travel times are particularly long. By way of example, the journey time from Cleator Moor to Keswick, a distance of 26 miles takes 45 minutes by car. By bus, the journey takes 2 hours and 28 minutes and involves 50 stops to Workington, followed by a bus change and a further 42 stops to Keswick. Similarly, the journey time between Egremont and Frizington – a distance of 4.9 miles- takes over one hour and involves 41 stops and a change of bus. Although such services maybe useful at connecting villages, they do not necessarily correlate to opening hours of services and start and finish times for those in employment and education. Recently, there has also been concerns raised regarding infrequent and cancelled services.40 More positively, Cumberland Council in conjunction with the Department of Transport, have made investment proposals regarding the reintroduction of important community routes (e.g. the Millom Town Service, including Haverigg); expansion of services (e.g. a Sunday service between Egremont, Frizington and Maryport); and better links between Cleator Moor and the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven. Cumberland Council have also secured grant funding to promote Active Travel, via the government’s Active Travel Fund to enhance cycling, walking and wheeling routes including in Workington and Lowca.41 37 Dataset provided by Census 2021 estimates classify usual residents in England and Wales by population density (number of usual residents per square kilometre). The estimates are as at Census Day, 21 March 2021, 38 https://www.ons.gov.uk/datasets/TS006/editions/2021/versions/4/filter-outputs/741baca3-5f79-498f-bc58-8054d32492d4#get-data This dataset provided by Census 2021 estimates that classify usual residents in England and Wales by population density (number of usual residents per square kilometre). The estimates are as at Census Day, 21 March 2021, https://www.ons.gov.uk/datasets/TS006/editions/2021/versions/4/filter-outputs/e6c3f110-c082-48cf-bc8d-f1beda052358#get-data 39 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66718bd3f92bc4be25da7da2/5_-_Connectivity_and_Accessibility_v2_18.06.2024.pdf 40 https://cumbriacrack.com/2023/06/02/if-they-cant-provide-the-service-they-should-provide-answers-what-is-happening-to-cumbrias-bus-services/ 41 https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/news/2024/cumberland-council-receives-funding-boost-active-travel 42 https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/43055/pdf/ FARMING COMMUNITIES Farms are at the heart of many rural communities, with farmers and their families often stepping in to provide valuable community services, particularly support during periods of flooding and poor winter weather. This is despite farming communities facing challenges of their own, particularly post Brexit, with government subsidies now more aligned with environmental initiatives than food production. Although broader market forces and pricing often determine whether farmers have a successful year or not, the pressures associated with farming are forcing many families to leave the sector, often ending generations of farming traditions. In addition, growing evidence is pointing to the declining mental health of farmers42, compounded by anxieties over finances, policy changes, rural crime, poor work life balance and climate change.
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