Police and prison officers in Lancashire meet to tackle reoffending and inmate crime

The visit follows meetings at Lancashire Prisons, including HMP Wymott, Lancaster Farms and Kirkham to build on the positive relationships already established and focus on effective partnership working.

Following the meeting, Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden said: "Whilst we are working hard to ensure that those who commit serious crimes in our communities end up in prison, our responsibility doesn't stop there.

"The police must work closely with the prison service to make sure that drugs and phones don't get in and that organised crime activities are disrupted in and around prisons.

"While we must ensure that criminals are punished appropriately, we also need to work in partnership to ensure that those who are sent to prison have the support they need when they are released to be fully productive and good members of society - free of addiction and ready to join the workforce.

"This forms part of the wider work around criminal justice here in Lancashire.

"My deputy, Andy Pratt MBE, now chairs the Lancashire Criminal Justice Board, which brings together agencies with responsibility for delivering criminal justice services in the county to reduce crime, harm and risk and to ensure victims receive the justice they deserve.

"I will continue to lead the fight against crime across Lancashire by working closely with the police and our partners, such as the Violence Reduction Network whose funding I contribute towards, to tackle crime as efficiently and effectively as possible."

HMP Preston Governor, Dan Cooper, said: "It was a pleasure to welcome Mr Snowden to talk about how we can work together as effectively as possible to deliver justice for victims and keep communities safe.

"The partnership between the prison and the police plays a key role in sharing intelligence and in tackling offences both in and out of the prison grounds."