Citizen News

Lancashire rated one of best police forces

By Sam Chadderton

12:21pm Thursday 11th March 2010

LANCASHIRE has been hailed as one of the best performing police forces in the country.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabularies has released ‘report cards’ on all 43 forces and labelled Lancashire as a ‘beacon force’ for neighbourhood policing.

Chief Constable Steve Finnigan said he was ‘delighted’ with the top grading, which he said ‘translates to good service for the public’.

“We are the only force in the country out of 43 to get an excellent grade for local crime and policing," he said.

“What is particularly pleasing about that is it reflects our approach to neighbourhood policing which is deeply embedded in our communities.”

The HMIC Chief Inspector Denis O’Connor was critical of the way all forces dealt with anti-social behaviour.

But Mr Finnigan said Lancashire’s strong neighbourhood policing model was centred around tackling such crimes.

He said: “Anti-social behaviour blights people’s lives. What matters most to people is what happens on their doorstep.

“We focus on repeat and vulnerable victims, repeat offenders and hotspots and will continue to do this.

“There is a big partnership focus in Lancashire, working hand i glove with other agencies towards ‘neighbourhood management’.”

The report highlighted the number of people killed or seriously injured on the county’s roads, as well as drugs as the two main challenges.

Mr Finnigan responded: “I am disappointed with the ‘fair’ grade and determined to improve it. The figures for 2009 reduced seven per cent from 2008 - that’s 65 less victims.

“Our drugs seizures were around the £1m value mark in 2009 and we will be putting a lot more ANPR cameras on our roads to form a ring of steel to help combat the threat of serious and organised crime.

“I absolutely accept that drugs wreck people’s lives and we will keep a tight focus on people bringing drugs into Lancashire and ruining communities.”

Roger Baker, HMI for Lancashire, said: “Lancashire Constabulary is one of the strongest performing forces in England and Wales.

"The constabulary has achieved reductions in crime over a number of years and has increased the levels of crime solved, especially for burglary and robbery."

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