Commissioner Grunshaw launches Policing Plan to deliver safety through strength

Operation Warrior is Lancashire Constabulary’s county-wide crackdown on organised crime supported by Police and Crime Commissioner, Clive Grunshaw. The operation is dedicated to bringing more offenders to justice as well as stripping them of their cash, cars and other assets. We have also safeguarded 860 vulnerable children and adults.

Operation Warrior targets both individuals and gangs involved in crime, as well as associated issues such as violence and intimidation, large scale drug supply, exploitation and fraud, all of which can cause serious harm to local communities.

Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner, Clive Grunshaw said:

“It’s fantastic to see the continued results of Op Warrior, taking drugs off our streets, safeguarding vulnerable people and ensuring that crime gang suspects are arrested and brought to justice.

“Organised crime creates misery and fear in local communities which is why tackling this issue will be a key priority in my new Police and Crime Plan for Lancashire.

“I will continue to support the Constabulary to tackle serious and organised crime at full force and to strip crime gang members of their cash, cars and other assets.

“Through my Community Fund, I will reinvest money seized from criminals to support local projects aimed at preventing and reducing crime across the county.

“Op Warrior is making a real difference and I would encourage anyone in Lancashire to report suspicious activity, either directly to the police or, anonymously to Crimestoppers.”

Lancashire Constabulary’s Head of Serious Crime & Force Intelligence Bureau, Superintendent Graham Hill, said:

“Over the past two years, we have made significant strides in tackling organised crime and the harm it inflicts on our communities. We remain committed to relentlessly targeting and dismantling these groups.

“We have been unwavering in our pursuit of those responsible for causing the most harm to our communities, and our efforts have led to a significant year-on-year increase in arrests, the seizure of drugs, cash, and assets worth five million pounds. I am very pleased with these results, but our work is not over.

During the Summer, a public survey saw over 6,000 people share their views, and Commissioner Grunshaw engaged with elected officials, businesses and partners up and down the county, to ensure the Plan, which covers 2024-2029, delivers what matters most to people.

Based on this, the four priorities in the plan are; Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG); Tackle Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB); Get Tough on Serious Violent Crime and Rebuild Public Trust and Confidence.

The plan, which is a legal requirement and sets the strategic priorities for Lancashire Constabulary, is based on the needs of the public and how these will be met across policing and criminal justice, keeping victims at the centre of all work. It focuses on the need for partnership working and a prevention-based approach, alongside enforcement.

The Police and Crime Plan also builds on the work that the Commissioner has already been focusing on in the months since his election, including calls for laws tackling the illegal use of e-bikes and e-scooters, new legislation to strengthen the response to retail crime, and investing around £215k of cash seized from criminals into community schemes that deter offending.

Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire said:

“I was honoured when the people of Lancashire once again put their trust in me to hold Lancashire Constabulary to account and deliver the policing service we all want to see. Since then, I have been engaging with the public and working with stakeholders to build on the vision for policing I was elected to deliver.

“All of the priorities in my plan, together with the work to deliver them, are based on these conversations, and as the public’s voice in policing, I will be working with partners across the criminal justice system, and holding the Chief Constable to account for the delivery of the plan and scrutinise the Constabulary’s performance.

“Making Lancashire a safer place to live, work and visit is my ultimate aim and we can only do this through strong leadership, tough scrutiny and effective policing, that increases public confidence and trust that officers will be there when needed most.”

View the Police and Crime Plan for Lancashire 2024-2029.