Supporting Rural Communities
Rural crime can destroy lives and livelihoods and as Commissioner, I continue to support the Constabulary’s dedicated rural policing teams to take an increasingly proactive approach that takes the fight to the criminals and protects the people of Lancashire.

The strategic mission focuses on engaging, problem solving and coordinating targeted local policing to disrupt criminal activity within our rural areas in order to provide a better service to residents in those communities.
Rural Task Forces
Following my £700k investment into our rural taskforces in Spring 2021, we have seen them continuing to keep our rural communities safe and supporting the work of the wider Constabulary through targeted operations and engagement within these areas.
The rural taskforces are addressing the risks and threats unique to these parts of Lancashire, with successes around wildlife crime and theft of farming equipment, but this almost always links back to the priorities I have for all areas of Lancashire – for example, these offences are more often than not carried out by Organised Crime Gangs.
Notable operations and activity in 2022/23:
- Hare coursing prosecutions
- Joint operation with neighbouring forces addressing heritage crime
- 86 Animals used in offences or being cruelly treated rehomed
- Hare coursing
- Targeting illegal off roading in moorland
- The task force teams have also issued Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs), Community Protection Notices (CPNs) and Criminal Warning Notices (CWMs) and launched a number of cross border operations.
2022/23 stats:
- 101 Arrests
- £1.9 plant machinery and vehicles seized
- 226 stop and searches
- 186 traffic offence reports
Heritage Crime Conference 2022
I supported the county’s first ever heritage crime conference, with Deputy Commissioner Andy Pratt MBE speaking at the event to a range of partners about the need to work together to tackle heritage crime, which often hits more rural areas hardest.
The rural taskforce teams attended to talk with delegates about the work they are doing, strengthen relationships with organisations and provide practical advice to those affected by these types of offences.
Rural shows
As I continue to support the rural taskforces and engage with the rural community, I joined a number of officers at the Garstang Show in August 2022.
It was an opportunity to discuss with the public my investment into rural teams since becoming Commissioner and how we have strengthened the taskforces into one of the largest dedicated rural units in the country.
I also heard about the unique challenges faced by policing and the community in more rural areas and encouraged conversation that strengthened relationships.
“We will not stand for our rural communities being targeted, leaving innocent people suffering financially and mentally.”
PC Neil Goodison, of Lancashire Police 26.
Get in touch...
Use the drop downs below to navigate to the area needed for your comment to be more easily processed.

Comment
What you have to say is important to us. If you would like to comment on the work of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire you can write to:
The Office of the PCC for Lancashire
County Hall Preston
PR1 0LD
Email: commissioner@lancashire-pcc.gov.uk