Lancashire set to receive £2 million in new funding to tackle devastating anti-social behaviour!

Further to the Government's announcement Andrew Snowden, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, has welcomed news that Lancashire is set to benefit from £2m in funding over the next two years, after being selected as a pilot area for the Government's new ASB Action Plan.

The funding, announced today by the Prime Minister, follows a letter sent by the Commissioner to Michael Gove in January 2023 to raise the issue of anti-social behaviour in Lancashire, offering to work together with the Government's new ASB taskforce to make Lancashire communities safer.

The Commissioner has since held extensive talks with MPs, Ministers and national bodies about his ideas to tackle anti-social behaviour and to ensure there are appropriate consequences for those committing anti-social behaviour and he's delighted government have listened.

Getting tough on anti-social behaviour is a top priority in the Commissioner’s Fighting Crime Plan and, since being elected in May 2021, he has invested to boost Lancashire Constabulary’s response to tackling ASB, preventing escalation and ensuring the public feel safer.

This includes investment in neighbourhood policing, thanks to the Government’s Police Uplift Programme and investment through Council Tax, the reopening of police front counters in areas where the public had no consistent, accessible police station, and investment into a new specialist anti-social behaviour unit, launching in summer.

Andrew Snowden, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire said:

"This is fantastic news for Lancashire and will go a long way towards addressing the devastating impact anti-social behaviour has on communities.

"Anti-social behaviour isn’t a minor crime or is it acceptable here in Lancashire. It makes life miserable for so many and it can be a gateway to more serious crimes. It's an issue residents raise with me time and time again, and I'm pleased that Lancashire’s voice is being heard.

"This boost will mean increased, visible police patrols, dedicated to tackling anti-social behaviour and the issues that matter most to people.

"Utilising money from government, and money  seized from criminals through my Safer Lancashire Neighbourhoods Fund, I will continue to deal with root causes to reduce the impact this has on people across the county and ensure they, rightly, feel safe wherever they are.

"It is vital for community confidence that these crimes will be quickly and visibly addressed. Wherever in Lancashire people live, they should be able to feel proud of their community.

“As I continue to lead the fight against crime in Lancashire, the Chief Constable has my full support in delivering my Fighting Crime Plan priorities proactively targeting offenders, and getting tough on anti-social behaviour.”

Lancashire Chief Constable Chris Rowley said: "Where left unchecked, anti-social behaviour can have an overwhelming impact on its victims and, in some cases, the wider community.

“Everyone has the right to be safe and feel safe in Lancashire and we are committed to working with our communities and partners to tackle anti-social behaviour.

“We look at all the incidents reported to us across the county and make sure we have a local pro-active, operational response in place where it is required and use all the legislation available to us including Criminal Behaviour Orders, Dispersal orders and other tools.

“However, there is always more that can be done and this extra funding is very welcome. It will help to further strengthen our resources and boost the good work already underway in Lancashire to tackle antisocial behaviour.”