Officers in the East Division have seen a decrease in crime results following the implementation of Operation Grip – with almost 20 per cent reductions in crime.

Operation Grip, which is led by the Lancashire Violence Reduction Network (VRN), delivers a combination of knife crime education, community engagement and enforcement activity to reduce and prevent knife and violent crime across Lancashire.

And working alongside local neighbourhood policing teams, the VRN has identified 20 hotspot areas across Lancashire based on recorded homicide, rape, and violence with injury, that became the focus for increased policing activity on a randomised patrol schedule.

Seven hotspots were identified for East division which covers the areas of Blackburn with Darwen, Ribble Valley, Pendle, Rossendale, Hyndburn and Burnley.

From October to December 2022, there was an average of 19 per cent reduction in crime and an average of 13 per cent decrease in serious violence within these hotspots.

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This is in comparison to the same time period in the previous year, October to December 2021.

Operational activity includes foot patrols at these key hotspots, interacting with groups and providing a visible presence of uniformed officers.

The primary objective of the operation is to provide a target hardening approach with the visible presence of uniformed officers and they also conduct intelligence led disruption visits, vehicle stops and stop searches.

Sergeant Gareth Brooks said: “I am extremely pleased to see the positive results our efforts are having within East Lancashire.

“These numbers are a direct result of the hard work done by those involved in patrolling, responding to incidents, and keeping our communities safe.

“In the Violence Reduction Network, we work across the public sector and with charities and community groups to better understand and support individuals and communities throughout Lancashire.

“We will continue to work with our local partnership agencies to ensure victims are supported and at the forefront of all we do.

“We hope to continue our great efforts in preventing crime and incidents within East Lancashire.”