A TOWN’S “well-known hotspot for anti-social behaviour, disorder and drugs misuse” could be in line for CCTV funding to help cut crime and protect the public.

More than 250 incidents of anti-social behaviour have been logged by Cumbria Police since July 2018 for their "beat code" covering Kendal's Gooseholme, a popular, open green space beside the River Kent.

Forty crimes have also been reported in the past year, and "residents have consistently highlighted anti-social behaviour and drugs misuse as the most prominent issues", stated a police report to Kendal Town Council.

Meanwhile, police have been clamping down on anti-social behaviour at another well-liked beauty spot in town, Noble's Rest, also known as Maude's Meadow.

Inspector Paul Latham, based at Kendal Police Station, said some of the problems related to former residents of Town View Hostel. Police have handed out Section 35 dispersal orders to preserve the peace and exclude trouble-makers from the park for up to 48 hours. Police patrols have also been upped.

"It's a place where families should be able to go and feel safe and welcome," said Insp Latham.

"They shouldn't be feeling intimidated by people using anti-social behaviour and drinking excessively."

Meanwhile, Kendal Town Council this week gave its backing to a request by Cumbria Police for a CCTV camera for Gooseholme.

The "pleasant open space" is described as "a well-known hotspot" in the police report to the council, with a reputation among Kendal townsfolk for disorder and drugs misuse.

Neighbours have felt so concerned, they have even "discussed investing in CCTV themselves" stated PC Stuart Game, force CCTV officer, in his report.

On Monday night councillors overturned their decision not to bid for money from the special fund set up by Peter McCall, Cumbria's police and crime commissioner (PCC).

The change of heart follows their September meeting, when members voted five in favour and 14 against the CCTV bid. Concerns about costs and the potential to “move crime outwards” onto Kendal’s housing estates had been voiced by some members.

However, the council reversed its decision after hearing an update on costs from Insp Latham and the force’s CCTV manager, Andy Petty.

Town clerk Liz Richardson said there had been "some confusion" over the costings, and members had wanted to "bottom out" the figures.

She said police had made a strong case for CCTV covering Gooseholme, and it was good news the council would be going ahead with its bid.

The camera is to cost £6,371.21, plus set-up costs of £1,763, and around £1,500 each year for maintenance.

The council will now bid for £3,000 from the PCC. If successful, it is hoped the remaining bill will be covered equally from its own coffers and South Lakeland District Council.

Insp Latham told the Gazette the camera would be a "rapid deployable" model which could be moved "from problem to problem" if need be. Kendal Town Council would own the kit, which would "piggy-back" onto Cumbria Police's 24-hour monitoring system.

Insp Latham said CCTV would help with policing Gooseholme and the vicinity because the area's open nature meant offenders had several quick escape routes when police approached.