§ David MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on Cumbria Police's local policing teams initiative. [151876]
§ Ms BlearsIn February 2003, the Chief Constable of Cumbria, Michael Baxter, introduced, with the agreement of the police authority, a four-year programme to establish local policing teams in response to demand from the local community. Early signs are encouraging. Those community constables already in place are providing reassurance to the public and helping to develop longer-term strategies to improve people's quality of life in Cumbria.