Commissioner backs Lancashire businesses at start of Safer Business Action Week

Commissioner backs Lancashire businesses at start of Safer Business Action Week

Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner has backed Lancashire's "vital" businesses at the start of a national week of action highlighting the crimes that impact them most.

In an open letter to businesses across the county, Commissioner Grunshaw outlined how he continues to stand with Lancashire businesses to ensure their employees and customers feel safe, supported and confident that crime affecting them is taken seriously.

He outlined how Operation Vulture, Lancashire Constabulary's response to retail crime like shoplifting and abuse against shopworkers is proactively tackling offending, with the latest statistics showing 565 people arrested for 867 offences over a 12-month period. This work is supported by Op Centurion which tackles anti-social behaviour across the county.

He also highlighted how crime targeting businesses cannot be solved by policing alone, with his Safer Lancashire Business Partnership, launched earlier this year, providing a forum to strengthen joint efforts and proactively address concerns.

It's not just on the high street where businesses need to be protected; it's also online. That's why Commissioner Grunshaw has funded a UK-first, business-focused Cyber Attack Hydra Simulation, being delivered by the University of Lancashire and designed for small and medium-sized enterprises across the county.

Commissioner Grunshaw also has backed the Retail Trust's 'Let's Respect retail' campaign and continues to support others like 'Shopkind' from the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW).

Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire said:

"Our businesses are vital to our communities, our economy and our high streets. Listening to their concerns and making sure the way Lancashire is policed reflects them is an important part of my role and is why I continue to strengthen our relationships with businesses and the bodies that represent them.

"I've seen first-hand the dedication and commitment from our police officers and staff in driving Operation Vulture forward, tackling those crimes that damage a business, impact customer confidence and leave staff fearful.

"I also campaigned for a new offence for anyone assaulting a retail worker, which I was pleased to see passed as part of the Crime and Policing Act. We need Government to announce a date for when this will come into force, with our officers in Lancashire backed to fully utilise it to protect workers and punish offenders.

"Together we can back business and provide the policing service needed to help them thrive. I will continue to work closely with Lancashire Constabulary and partners to ensure we are delivering a coordinated and effective response to business crime across the county."

You can read the open letter here.