Two coordinated operations have taken place during the past five weeks to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in the South Lakes area.

The work, as part of Operation Sentinel, has taken place in Ambleside, Kendal and Windermere.

Officers from the force’s South Tactical Support Group, South Lakes Neighbourhood Policing Team and Dog Section were joined by student officers and special constables in tackling concerns which have been raised by local residents.

PC Thomas Rushton-Cape, of the South Tactical Support Group, said: “We are committed to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour and making sure criminals know that Cumbria is no soft touch.

“Our local residents deserve to live in areas which see wrongdoing tackled and this is what Operation Sentinel aims to do."

On September 22-23, officers conducted three positive stop searches of individuals under the Misuse of Drugs Act in Ambleside and Windermere.

All three were found in possession of cannabis and were dealt with by community resolution.

Officers conducted seven further stop searches under the Misuse of Drugs Act which, while negative, resulted in numerous vapes being confiscated from children aged 12 and 13.

"Working together with a range of policing teams, we have achieved some positive results so far," PC Rushton-Cape added.

“We are far from complacent. We will continue to run regular operations like this which complement the day-to-day efforts of our policing teams to tackle those who commit crime or behave in an anti-social manner.”

The recent activity follows an operation carried out in Kendal on August 24 and 25 which resulted in half a kilo of MDMA recovered after a man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply MDMA and possession of MDMA.

The investigation into this continues with the man arrested currently released under investigation.

Paul Rapka, aged 30, of Kent Square, Ulverston, was jailed for 12 weeks due to this extra police activity after he was convicted of failing to stop for police, driving without insurance, driving without a licence and taking a vehicle without consent.