Update - David Grayling

Update - David Grayling

I would like to provide an update regarding David Grayling, whose behaviour has caused significant concern within our community over recent months, particularly incidents involving women and children.

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to report concerns, provide information and support our enquiries. The information provided by residents has been invaluable in helping your Neighbourhood Policing Team understand how David's behaviour is affecting the community and allow us to take appropriate action.

As a result of information received from members of the public, we were able to secure a Community Protection Notice (CPN) against David and take enforcement action when those conditions were breached. We have also investigated a number of offences over the last couple of months and brought these matters before the courts, often through remanding him to court the following day. During this period, police officers worked hard to ensure that community concerns were properly represented, resulting in various restrictions being imposed through the criminal justice process.

Despite repeated enforcement action, including multiple arrests for breaches of court-imposed conditions, the restrictions preventing John from entering Bolton-le-Sands are no longer in place, having been removed by the courts. At present, there is no legal power preventing him from being within the village.

A range of agencies have been involved in addressing concerns relating to David's behaviour. It has been determined that many of the issues now require ongoing support and intervention from health and social care services. Whilst Lancashire Constabulary will continue to respond to any criminal offences that are reported, the primary responsibility for managing some of the wider concerns now sits with our partner agencies.

We continue to work closely with Lancashire Adult Social Care, the NHS and other partners to seek the most appropriate long-term solution for both the community and John.

We would ask residents to continue reporting any criminal offences, incidents where there is an immediate risk of harm, or behaviour that causes serious concern. However, concerns relating to welfare, vulnerability or ongoing support needs may also be raised directly with Lancashire Adult Social Care.

Once again, thank you for your continued support, patience and assistance. Your information has enabled us to take positive action and ensure that concerns affecting our community have been properly addressed. We remain committed to working with our partners to protect the community and support those who are vulnerable.

We recognise that residents may still have concerns regarding John's behaviour and may be unsure who is best placed to respond due to a number of lines being exhausted through the Criminal Justice System.

Please contact the police immediately if:

In an emergency, always call 999. For non-emergency police matters, please report concerns via 101 or through the Lancashire Constabulary website.

Adult Social Care may be the more appropriate agency if:

Adult Social Care and partner agencies are able to assess support needs and put measures in place to help vulnerable individuals where appropriate. Adult social care - Lancashire County Council

Whilst Lancashire Constabulary will continue to deal robustly with any criminal offences or incidents that place members of the public at risk, many of the ongoing concerns relating to David's behaviour are now being managed through health and social care pathways. We will continue to work closely with our partner agencies to ensure information is shared and appropriate action is taken where necessary.