The Barrow area of the county has seen a rise in the use of crack cocaine - and related crime to feed user addiction.

Cumbria Police has appointed a new area commander for South Cumbria, who has pledged more resources to tackle the issue.

Superintendent Gary Horlacher said rising crime levels "would not be tolerated".

'Making sacrifices'

Mr Horlacher said police resources from other areas would be diverted if need be.

He said: "The misuse of drugs in the county and particularly in Barrow is something at the forefront of all our minds.

"The time has come to put further resources into this problem and that's what I intend to do.

"We are not going to tolerate people supplying drugs in this area.

"If this means making sacrifices in other areas to combat our drugs problem then that is what we will do.

"The worrying thing about Barrow is the drug culture is leaning more and more towards the use of crack cocaine so we have slightly different problems than other places in the county.

"Drugs are everywhere and in all communities but, more worryingly in Barrow, is the increasing use of crack.