Police & Crime Commissioner March Report

Victim Care Lancashire

As Commissioner, an important part of my role is to commission services for victims of crime. While it is crucial to prevent crime and protect potential victims, it is equally important to ensure that the right support is available for those who do fall victim.

This is why I am pleased to announce that as of 1st April a new service will be available to support victims of crime across Lancashire.

Commissioned victim services will, for the first time, include specialist, dedicated support for victims of stalking, provided by Paladin.

Dedicated teams within Victim Support will provide specialist assistance to victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence. Support for young victims of crime will continue to be delivered by Victim Support through Nest Lancashire. 

Victim Care Lancashire is a new service that will provide support for all other types of crime. The team of specially trained Victim Care Advisers, based within Lancashire Constabulary, will offer free, confidential, and non-judgemental assistance. This includes emotional support, addressing victims’ concerns, and directing them to additional resources that may be available based on their needs. 

Anyone in Lancashire can access these services confidentially and free of charge. Please signpost anybody who needs emotional or practical support to victimcarelancashire.org to find details for all available services. Digital assets can be shared on request.

Commissioner shares update on support for victims of crime in Lancashire Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire has announced new services to support victims of crime across Lancashire from April 2025.

International Women’s Day

To mark International Women’s Day 2025, Dr Anna Hopkins, Chief Executive for the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, joined a panel of experts in East Lancashire to discuss best practice in combatting violence against women and girls (VAWG), a top priority in my Police and Crime Plan.

Drive and CARA Projects

I’m delighted to have secured £442,000 from government to tackle domestic abuse and protect members of the public. The funding will fund both the Drive and CARA (Cautioning and Relationship Abuse) projects through until Spring 2026, which aim to achieve long-term behaviour change and reduce incidents of domestic abuse across the county.

Crime and Policing Bill

Earlier this month the new Crime and Policing Bill reached its second reading in Parliament and has now reached committee stage. This is a substantial piece of legislation that will bring about real, meaningful changes in how we tackle crime and protect vulnerable individuals.

I’m pleased to see the Bill address steps to tackle the illegal use of e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar vehicles – an issue that the public continue to raise regularly with me and one I have advocated for since my election.

The Bill also addresses various areas highlighted in my Police and Crime Plan, including serious violence, VAWG, retail crime and the harassment and abuse of shop workers. I look forward to working alongside the Government, local MPs and other stakeholders to ensure the progression of this bill and ensure the outcome is the best possible for Lancashire. You can find factsheets about the Crime and Policing Bill here. 

Lancashire’s PCC welcomes new Crime and Policing Bill 11 Mar 2025 – Lancashire Telegraph Clive Grunshaw has welcomed the new Crime and Policing Bill, which is set for its second reading in Parliament.

Funding

Following my letter to the Home Secretary at the end of last year urging the government to maintain funding for additional policing to combat anti-social behaviour, we have successfully secured £1.7m in funding to tackle crime across Lancashire.

The funding will build on the success of Operation Centurion, which has resulted in over 732 arrests across 14 ASB intensification areas alone between July 2023 and January 2025. As we rebuild neighbourhood policing, with bobbies on the beat in their communities, tackling anti-social behaviour will remain an absolute priority. I will provide the Chief Constable with the backing to protect every corner of the county.

Zero Tolerance to Violence Against Shop Workers

Retail crime and abuse against shop workers is a key concern in my Police and Crime Plan, for too long we have seen the damage it has on the people it involves. Representatives of Charter Walk Shopping Centre in Burnley recently launched a zero-tolerance campaign to tackle the issue of violence against shop workers, with support from myself and Lancashire Constabulary officers.

New zero-tolerance campaign launched to combat violence against Burnley shopworkers 25 Mar 2025 – Burnley Express Backed by Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw, Burnley BID, and local police, the initiative coincides with National Business Crime Reduction Partnership Week and follows new government legislation introducing a specific offence for assaulting a retail worker.

New Police Stations 

Plans for a new Police Station for Chorley have taken another step forward, after being granted planning permission by Chorley Council earlier this month, subject to planning conditions. Through investment from my capital programme, the new station is set to provide a much needed base for a range of policing services for the community, including Neighbourhood Police and Immediate Response Teams.

The Euxton Lane station will deliver a modern, fit for purpose police station that is accessible to the public, and I’m looking forward to seeing the development play a key part in delivering the efficient, effective policing service that people rightly expect and deserve.

New police station for Chorley given the go ahead – this is when it will open 14 Mar 2025 – Lancashire Post The investment is being funded as part of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC’s) capital programme.

I also joined officers and staff from Lancashire Police, alongside contractors Willmott Dixon at the site of the new Pendle Police Station at the topping out ceremony. This is a significant milestone to mark the highest point of the build, with work set to begin on the interior of the building to ensure it is ready for officers and staff in Spring of 2026.

This week I welcomed the opportunity to see how the development of the new Pendle Police Station is supporting the local community. I spent time at Pendle Food for All, in Nelson who work to support around 100 families weekly through their weekly food clubs.

The food club is currently being supported by Wilmott Dixon, who are constructing the new Pendle Police Station on Carr Road, through volunteering hours and other help. 

Eid Mubarak