Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

The event marked the official launch of the force’s new rural task force teams who have made 85 arrests, carried out over 100 stop searches and seized plant, equipment and vehicles

worth more than £1m since being introduced last March.

Based from Morecambe, Garstang, Ormskirk, Clitheroe and Waterfoot, 20 officers now form part of the local policing teams that already cover the rural communities to provide extra

Andrew Snowden, Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner, with members of the rural task force out in Lancashire

resources to target issues including wildlife, agriculture and heritage crimes.

Lancashire fugitive named as one of UK's most wanted men on the Costa del Crime

Lancashire Constabulary’s Chief Constable Chris Rowley hosted Tuesday’s event held at Lancashire Police HQ in Hutton, which was supported by Lancashire Partnership Against Crime

(LANPAC) and saw a variety of key speakers from rural partners.

Chief Constable Chris Rowley said: “In March 2021 we brought a model which had been effective in our urban areas out into our rural communities to target the issues and the people who

cause the most harm to our rural communities.

“Our strategic mission focuses on engaging, problem solving and coordinating targeted local policing to disrupt criminal activity within our rural areas in order to provide a better service to

the residents in those communities.

“Working with partner agencies is crucial and events like this provide a platform for sharing ideas and knowledge on how best we can work together to create our key priorities for the next

12 months for our rural taskforce teams.

“We are working hard to address what matters most to our rural communities and protect the beautiful countryside we have in Lancashire and keep it safe.”

More than 70 per cent of Lancashire is classed as rural.

The task force teams have also issued Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs), Community Protection Notices (CPNs) and Criminal Warning Notices (CWMs) and launched a number of cross

border operations.

Andrew Snowden, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, added: “Rural crime can destroy lives and livelihoods and as Commissioner, I will be supporting the force’s dedicated

rural policing teams to take an increasingly proactive approach that takes the fight to the criminals and protects the people of Lancashire.”

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 for your first month. Try us today by clicking here

Rural crime under the spotlight in Lancashire