Lancashire’s police and crime commissioner Andrew Snowden recently met with key partners in Burnley to discuss policing and how he is supporting the police’s fight against criminals in the town centre.

At the meeting with representatives from the Burnley Business Improvement District (BID), the local council, and Burnley MP Antony Higginbotham, discussions focussed on town centre policing and how Operation Centurion has increased the focus on tackling anti-social behaviour.

They also discussed recent operations in the town, including a pre-Christmas crackdown on anti-social behaviour, illegal e-scooters and other concerns raised by the public.

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Conversations also touched on working together on projects being supported to deter crime, such as CCTV, Stopwatch, and other intervention programmes that address the root causes of anti-social behaviour and other offences.

Mr Snowden said: “This was a great opportunity for partners to discuss what we all want to see, taking the fight to criminals in Burnley town centre and ensuring the overwhelming majority of law-abiding people feel safe going about their everyday lives.

“There has been some fantastic, proactive police work to address local concerns and act on intelligence, through Op Centurion and the intense focus on getting tough on anti-social behaviour that blights whole areas and communities.

"This enforcement is also supported by the range of work to deter crime and interventions with those at risk of committing ASB and other offences.

“This work builds on the tens of thousands of pounds of investment and interventions, but we know there is more work to do. I’m looking forward to continuing these conversations and developing what is already happening to make Burnley town centre safer, looking at what more we can all do to crack down on crime, and ensure people feel safe.”

Anthony Higginbotham MP said: "Andrew has always been a great ally in taking the fight to criminals and getting the police focused on the issues residents raise with me on the doorstep, right here in Burnley and Padiham.

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"This latest meeting was a good opportunity to hear some of the updates he has around local policing, particularly around the town centre and for him to hear some of the concerns residents and businesses want brought to his attention."

Councillor Howard Baker, Burnley Council's executive member for community and environmental services said: "I'm grateful to the Police and Crime Commissioner for coming to Burnley to listen to the council and to our business community about local concerns.

"There is always more we can do to make the town centre a safer and more secure place, so I welcome further commitments to help us reduce antisocial behaviour."