Over 1,800 policing hours dedicated to anti-social behaviour in Accrington and Padiham

Lancashire Police and Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden launched Op Centurion in July 2023, which focuses on getting tough on anti-social behaviour (ASB) across Lancashire.

Hotspot locations were selected throughout the county, which included the areas of Accrington and Padiham under the forces East Division.

Led by local neighbourhood teams, these locations now benefit from additional Op Centurion foot patrols to target ASB in the identified hotspots. Over 1,800 additional policing hours have been delivered across these two hotspots combined since the launch of the operation. There have also been 22 arrests, 398 stop checks, 78 stop searches and over one hundred incidents attended across the two hotspots.
Inspector Gemma Barr from the ASB, Prevention and Problem-Solving Command said: “Our communities have told us that Anti-Social Behaviour is important to them. We have listened and we have taken action. “Together with partners we have put additional officers onto the streets of Accrington and Padiham to make people safe and feel safe. “It is this support from partners that makes our response more effective and means we are able to find long term sustainable solutions to the problems our communities are facing.”
Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden said: “Anti-social behaviour is a blight on our communities and an issue that residents raise with me time and time again, which is why I have made it a priority in my Fighting Crime Plan for Lancashire. “Op Centurion is stepping up the fight against ASB in our communities. The Constabulary has dedicated neighbourhood police officers in every area and this work is bolstered by an additional £2m I have been able to secure from Government to invest in dedicated foot patrols targeting ASB hotspot areas. “It is fantastic to see these patrols being rolled out across all Lancashire districts to make a real impact in our neighbourhoods including Brunswick and Fleetwood. “Having joined officers on patrol in different parts of the county, I have already seen the positive impact they have on local areas, engaging with residents and local business as well as dealing robustly with any crime and anti-social behaviour. “I am absolutely committed to cracking down on anti-social behaviour and I will continue to work closely with the Chief Constable to ensure the Constabulary has the resources needed to get tough on ASB and keep our communities safe.”
For more information about Op Centurion, visit www.lancashiretacklingasb.co.uk.