Politically Correct by Clive Grunshaw

New plan is a blueprint for future of policing
Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive GrunshawLancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw
Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw

Earlier this month I set out my new Police and Crime Plan to councillors from across Lancashire.

The plan sets the strategic direction and priorities for policing and crime across the county for the next five years.

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Residents and partners from the Fylde coast helped to shape the new plan by taking part in stakeholder events and responding to my survey on local priorities.

They told me solving major crimes, protecting children from abuse, providing counter-terrorism support and tackling organised crime were the most important issues to them. These issues have shaped the plan along with measures to tackle rising crime and community safety problems.

The plan is more than just a document – it will shape the future of policing in Lancashire – so I am grateful to everyone who took the time to share their views.

So what is in it? Well, the plan includes four key priorities that will be at the heart of everything I and the Chief Constable do over the coming years.

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These are: protecting the frontline, tackling crime and re-offending, protecting victims and vulnerable people and creating safer and more confident communities.

Major savings of up to £90m a year by 2020 (since 2010) have had to be made meaning officer numbers have shrunk to a decade-long low, so working together with our local communities and councils is more important than ever before.

Despite this officers are still joining the force to replace those who are retiring or moving on to other roles. For this reason the police have had to change the way they work. New technology supports officers day to day, and our local teams now provide response to incidents as well as community policing, and specialist teams offer county-wide support.

Most importantly though my commitment remains, the police will continue to be there when they are needed, they will investigate crimes and keep Lancashire safe. For more information about my police and crime plan and to read it in full, visit
www.lancashire-pcc.gov.uk

Hundreds said ‘no’ to hate

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I was overwhelmed by the response of Fylde coast residents to my recent campaign against hate crime.

Hundreds of people signed up to my ‘Say no to hate’ pledge when I was in Blackpool town centre asking people to commit to standing up to hate wherever it happens.

Hundreds more signed the online pledge and I want to thank all of you who got behind this important campaign.

Hate crime can have devastating effects on people’s lives and nobody deserves to suffer because of their sexuality, race, religion, disability or sexual identity.

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Sadly, the number of incidents reported to police in recent months has increased compared to last year – but it is important the victims know there is help available.

Police will take action against those who commit hate crimes and Lancashire Victim Services can provide specialist support to those affected by them.

Lancashire is no place for hate and the more people who challenge the views and actions that foster hatred, the sooner we can stamp it out completely.

If you have been affected by hate crime, free help and support is available through Lancashire Victim Services. You can also get help reporting the incident to police if you would like to.

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For more information, get in touch by calling 0300 323 0085 or emailing [email protected]

Taking strides to beat slavery

In October I was proud to open Lancashire’s first anti-slavery conference.

Modern day slavery and human trafficking are growing issues right across the country, including here in Lancashire, and I am determined to stop this exploitation of fellow human beings.

These crimes have devastating effects on the lives of victims and with your help we can get even more vulnerable people to safety. That is why I helped fund a campaign calling on members of the public to ‘look closer’ because the warning signs of slavery may be right in front of us.

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Victims may look malnourished, rarely be allowed to travel alone, have few personal possessions, live in overcrowded accommodation or be frightened around other people.

I funded two roles in a dedicated team set up to investigate these crimes and protect victims. We are already seeing great results from this work but with your help we can do even more.

If you suspect something is not right, call police on 101.