Partnership working takes centre stage at Business Crime Conference

The event, hosted by Commissioner Clive Grunshaw, the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime (LANPAC), and Lancashire Constabulary, brought together business leaders from across the county at Ewood Park in Blackburn on 21st May 2025.

The conference featured a packed agenda, including expert speakers who addressed a variety of threats facing different business sectors and organisations, shared strategies for mitigating these risks, and outlining the proactive measures being taken by Lancashire Constabulary and its partners to enhance safety.

Experts addressed a range of criminal activities affecting businesses in Lancashire and beyond, including anti-social behaviour, harassment of retail staff, shoplifting, and cybercrime, among other challenges.

The conference also spotlighted the continued success of Operation Vulture — an initiative by Lancashire Constabulary, supported by the Police and Crime Commissioner to tackle retail crime. The operation has led to increased targeted patrols, stronger intelligence sharing with retailers, and more offenders being identified and brought to justice.

This initiative runs in parallel with Operation Centurion, the county’s targeted response to tackling anti-social behaviour, working to make town centres safer.

Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner said:

“This conference is a great example of how we can empower businesses to best protect themselves from criminals, whilst highlighting how policing is stepping up the response to retail crime. I continue to back officers to tackle those who cause misery for businesses, their staff and customers.

“Addressing the wide range of threats — from shoplifting to harassment — requires a joined up approach. Only by working together across policing, the criminal justice system, and the diverse business sectors affected in different ways can we effectively tackle these challenges and ensure the safety of our communities.

“I fully support Lancashire Constabulary’s efforts to strengthen the response to business crime through initiatives like Op Vulture and Op Centurion amongst others, sending a clear message to criminals that they will be caught and prosecuted.

“As Police and Crime Commissioner, my top priority is making Lancashire a safer place to live and work. Achieving this goal depends on strong leadership, a resilient police force, and effective deterrents that protect both people and businesses.”

David Smith OBE, Chair of the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime (LANPAC) said:

“It has been great to see so many business representatives and other partners sharing best practice and building relationships which is what LANPAC is all about.

“I’m sure that delegates are going away with increased knowledge and additional tools to protect their companies, in the constantly evolving landscape of business crime.”

Chief Inspector Chris Abbott said: “We all rely on local businesses in one way or another so whether they employ 10 or 10,000 it’s important we work together to keep them and their employees safe.  I’m delighted to see so many local businesses attending the conference and taking advantage of the free crime prevention information and advice. I’m also looking forward to talking to them about some of the great work we are doing with  the local business community including successful initiatives like Op Vulture, Nice2Share and Op Centurion.”