Acting chief gets police force's top job
BBCA police force's temporary chief constable will take on the role permanently, with a pledge to tackle violence against women and girls and anti-social behaviour.
Darren Martland was officially appointed Cumbria Police's head with the unanimous approval of the county's police, fire and crime panel.
Panel chair Liberal Democrat councillor Tim Pickstone said they were impressed with his proposals for the force and "extensive policing experience", including as Cumbria's gold commander during Storm Desmond in 2015.
Martland said he was honoured to get the job and also wanted to strengthen neighbourhood policing.
He said tackling anti-social behaviour would require working with partners to address the causes.
"I do not want to criminalise young people but I think part of it is dealing with some of the underlying challenges," Martland said.
He said the force was in a "really good place" but it could not be complacent.
Martland said he would also focus on tackling violence against women and girls following an increase in sexual offences reported in the area.
Martland said officers would deal with crimes like stalking and harassment "promptly and effectively to prevent it from escalating", and bring in a new approach to reports of rape.
Martland had been in the position on a temporary basis since June after Rob Carden left to return to Merseyside Police.
He was selected as the preferred candidate for the role by Cumbria's police, fire and crime commissioner David Allen earlier this month.
The panel decision is subject to written confirmation.
Additional reporting by Ian Duncan, Local Democracy Reporting Service
