Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC), working in partnership with Axon, is providing Cumbria Police Force with advanced cellular connectivity in its vehicles through the Ericsson Cradlepoint R1900 router. This enables officers to police the area more proactively and effectively, removing threats before they become a serious risk.
Policing has become increasingly reliant on data, with officers using laptops, smartphones, body- and vehicle-mounted cameras to help identify and arrest criminals. Thanks to Axon’s connected ecosystem, including Axon Evidence and Axon Fusus, these devices are now part of a live, interoperable network that supports faster decision making and improved officer safety. This has drastically increased the need for secure and reliable connectivity which can ensure data is shared with command teams in real time. Still, due to challenges with geography and outdated infrastructure, Cumbria’s officers regularly experienced areas with limited network coverage, leading to frustration among frontline responders and hindering their ability to respond to crimes.
Since installing the R1900 in over 50 vehicles and integrating live data flows into the Axon platform, these challenges have been overcome, and connectivity has become more reliable, leading to more agile policing. For example, previously, road traffic checks relied on fixed assets that criminals could avoid if they knew where they were. Now, Automatic Number Plat Recognition (ANPR) cameras on police cars, connected through the Ericsson and Axon solution, can automatically flag to officers which cars need to be stopped wherever they are operating. This means they spend less time on unnecessary stops and more time targeting actual criminals.
These benefits are particularly evident at large events like Appleby Horse Fair, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year. Given Cumbria Police is one of the smallest forces, in terms of staff but one of the largest in terms of its geographic footprint, being able to operate strategically and efficiently is essential. Following the introduction of Ericsson’s connectivity and Axon’s integrated technology, Cumbria Police have been able to identify high-risk individuals in advance and monitor live intelligence more effectively throughout the event. This enabled officers to arrest 123 people in 2024, compared to the previous decade’s yearly average of 60. As a result of these actions, there was a reduction in the severity of crime as people of interest were either prevented from reaching the event in the first place, or officers were able to intervene before situations escalated. Likewise, Fixed Penalty Notices or Traffic Offence Reports went from 220 in 2023 to 377 in 2025, demonstrating the power of having connected cameras within police vehicles.
Chief Inspector Lee Skelton at Cumbria Police said, “Cumbria Police is dedicated to delivering an outstanding policing service. We achieve this through our commitment to the four C’s: Care for colleagues, compassion for victims, community focus and contempt for criminality. Ericsson’s in-vehicle routers have been a game-changer in this regard, providing officers access to first-class technology and real-time intelligence. This enables precision policing, greater proactivity and faster responsiveness for victims and communities. Cumbria has become a significantly less attractive place for criminals as a result.
“Axon and Ericsson’s support has been fundamental to the project’s success. Their solution has directly contributed to some of the highest morale among frontline responders in the UK. Cellular connectivity also means we can constantly innovate, accelerating our mission to ensure that ‘an outstanding policing service’ is more than just an aspiration.”
Graham Everington, Sales Manager Public Sector, at Ericsson, also commented, “Emergency responders shouldn’t have to worry about poor connectivity impacting their ability to carry out their duties. It is vital they have access to high-speed, reliable networks if they are to provide the best service possible to the public. We are delighted to support the critical work done by all emergency services, including Cumbria Police, through our routers and look forward to working together to help improve the safety of the community further in the years to come.”
Alex Lowe, Senior Director of Sales, UK and Ireland, Axon said, “At Axon, we’re proud to support Cumbria Police and Ericsson in connecting officers and communities through real time data. By integrating live video and alerts directly into our Axon ecosystem, we’re helping officers respond faster, collaborate seamlessly, and stay safer in the field.”
