Councillor calls Hindpool in Barrow 'safe' amid police crackdown

Cumbria Police started their 'Happy Hopeful Hindpool' initiative earlier this year. It aims to clear the area of crime, prevent other criminals controlling the vacuum and then building the community 'back up into a thriving area.' 

Last month police raided a set of houses and made arrests in the neighbourhood with the help of Merseyside Police. "The message is clear - if you are involved in the supply of drugs will be caught," chief inspector Natalie Jukes said afterwards. 

The police raid a property in Hindpool (Image: Cumbria Police)

When asked if Hindpool is dangerous to live in, Cllr Anne Burns said 'absolutely not.' "Hindpool is relatively safe. It has issues - same as every area - but it seems to be more concentrated. There's a lot of properties in that area," she added. 

Cllr Burns said she had been communicating with residents through StreetSafe, a service that allows people to report safety concerns in public places without keeping their anonymity. The information given has formulated meetings that Cllr Burns has attended in the last few months. 

Councillor Anne Burns said that Hindpool is a safe place to live (Image: Westmorland and Furness Council)

"People have been telling us certain things that have been going on," she said. "It's good that we have those meetings." 

"We want people to live in a nice place in Barrow," she said. "You shouldn't walk away from the fact that there are issues to do with drugs." She said schemes like The Well can help people who have fallen into a 'criminal path.' 

READ MORE: Barrow police raid homes and make arrests in crime crackdown

During one of the raids last month Konstantinos Kalpaxis, 28, of no fixed address, was charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and possession of Class A drugs following a vehicle stop on Thursday 22 August.

He will appear before Preston Crown Court on September 25. 

Barrow Central and Hindpool saw 252 recorded crimes in April 2023. The most reported crime was violence and sexual offences (115), followed by anti-social behaviour (34) and public order (28). 

In June drug dealer Michael Torkington was sentenced to 32 months in prison after he was found with over £3,000 worth of cocaine by officers in the area. 

When the initiative first started, chief inspector Jukes said: "Hindpool was chosen as we have seen the damaging effects that a small number of criminals have on the wider community here."

She added 'Hindpool is a safe place to live.'