Ahead of the event, over 40 nominations were submitted from police officers and staff to a panel of academic partners from Edge Hill University, Lancaster University and University of Central Lancashire. These nominations were marked and the winners of seven specific categories were chosen.
The seven categories were neighbourhood policing, investigations, partnership working, fighting crime, business support and volunteers, student officers and Operation Centurion which has a focus on anti-social behaviour.
At the event held at Ribby Hall Village, the seven category winners presented their submissions to over 180 peers, stakeholders and a panel of judges including Chief Constable Chris Rowley, Assistant Chief Constable Russ Procter, Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden, Sylvia Chenery, Lanpac Chairman David Smith and the Chief Executive of Blackpool Council Neil Jack.
The winning submission was Operation Morano, a multi-agency operation, which demonstrated excellence in partnership working to tackling and preventing anti-social behaviour / criminality in the Skelmersdale area.
Chris Rowley, Chief Constable said “I have been very impressed with the passion, commitment and hard work shown by our officers and staff to problem solving. We have seen fantastic examples of problem solving involving our partners and communities to provide sustainable solutions to issues that impact on the residents and businesses of Lancashire. These awards recognise the positive problem-solving mentality that exists in Lancashire to try to reduce crime and disorder in our communities.
“The quality of submissions has again been of a very high standard this year. I would like to say a big thank you to our officers and staff for their work in using problem solving to enhance and improve the lives of people across Lancashire. We all joined the police to help people, and this forward thinking is hugely important to help people, often meaning they won’t need a police response. This is the true spirit of policing.”
Andrew Snowden, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire said:
“The Problem-Solving Awards rightly celebrate some of the many ways that officers and staff across Lancashire Constabulary are proactively taking the fight to criminals and finding new ways to work alongside partners to the priorities in my Fighting Crime Plan.
“It’s a chance for officers, staff and partner agencies to come together, share best practice and innovative ways of working and fighting crime.
“We’ve seen some fantastic projects, delivering practical solutions to all kinds of different issues, all aimed at making our streets safer. Huge congratulations to the overall winner Operation Morano and to every one of the different category winners that offer an insight into the hard work and dedication across the organisation, happening around the clock to deliver an efficient and effective policing service.
“Proactive and innovative policing is exactly what I want to continue to see in Lancashire and my Safer Lancashire Neighbourhoods Fund is continuing to support projects, put forward by police officers and staff, as well as community organisations, that address community concerns and protect the public.
This year saw the introduction of a brand-new award to the proceedings. The Chenery Award is dedicated to Sylvia Chenery, a Criminologist and Problem-Solving expert who has supported and continues to support Lancashire Constabulary.
This award recognises an officer or member of staff who has made an outstanding contribution to problem-solving and was awarded to South Ribble PCSO, James Slater who is known for his commitment, expertise and passion for problem-solving.
The overall winner of the Problem Orientated Policing Award 2023 will now represent Lancashire Constabulary at the National Problem-Solving Awards, called the Tilley Awards in 2024.
To find out more about the winners and the work they were recognised for, visit lancashire.police.uk/news/police-officers-celebrated-at-the-annual-problem-orientated-policing-awards/
