New rural task force teams have been set up across Lancashire to target the issues that matter most to rural communities including machinery theft, rural, wildlife and heritage crime.
A total of 20 officers have been funded through the police officer uplift programme. The teams will form part of the local policing teams that already cover the rural communities and will based at Morecambe, Garstang, Ormskirk, Clitheroe and Waterfoot.
The new officers are intended to provide extra resources to target, disrupt and address crime in rural communities.
The launch follows the investment in 40 task force officers located in the county’s towns and cities last year.
Chief Supt Sam Mackenzie of Lancashire Constabulary said: “The introduction of the new, dedicated rural task force teams is great news and puts extra resources in our rural communities. They will assist in tackling local priorities, organised crime and travelling criminality.
“Last year we established taskforces in our more urban areas and they have been effective in targeting those issues and people who cause the most harm to our communities. This brings that model out to our rural areas.
“With 74 per cent of Lancashire classed as rural, these officers will be a great asset in preventing crime and supporting our rural communities, who have diverse needs.
“Talking to the residents in rural areas is key to the success of these teams. We will be asking our communities to tell us what their issues and concerns are so we can actively work to address them.”
Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner, added: "Protecting our rural communities is as much a priority for me as it is policing our more urban towns and cities. They further support my commitment to making sure the public see genuine improvements to local policing and increased officer numbers as we invest back into the force.
"We all want to see more officers out on our streets, tackling crime and supporting all our communities. That is why I continue to lobby Government for fairer long-term funding that puts the officers we have lost since 2010 back into Lancashire, instead still being hundreds of officers worse off whilst other areas benefit.
"These five teams are trained to help tackle the unique issues faced in more rural areas and build safer rural communities, by working closely with the people who live and work in them. The force has been rated as outstanding in terms of our efficient use of the resources we have so, residents can be confident we will continue to deliver the highest quality policing service possible."
The new teams went live on Monday 1 March.
Heysham power station team leads large-scale community litter pick
Body found in Lancaster park in search for missing local man
PHOTOS: Eden Project Morecambe garden wins award on star-studded day at Chelsea Flower Show
Over 50s ‘youth club’ in Morecambe reduces hours due to ‘lack of footfall’
Under threat Lancaster day centre will remain open
'Look for a Book' event returns to Lancaster and Morecambe
Operation Sceptre tackles knife crime across Lancaster district
Eden Project Morecambe will become a ‘theatre of science like nowhere else on earth’
‘True local’ begins his year as mayor of Lancaster
Lancaster University research shows care home falls cut by a third with use of smart lights
Angela Rippon and ‘Eric and Little Ern’ launch Bring Me Sunshine Garden at Chelsea Flower Show
Talk and trail celebrating life of city’s groundbreaking inventor will mark Lancaster Day
‘Knight Ride’ fundraiser underway for free summer outdoor Lancaster music festival
Hundreds of kids pay homage to Eric Morecambe with special centenary celebration fun run
Lancaster paedophile given lengthy jail term for historic sexual abuse of young girl
LISTEN and PHOTOS: Town celebrates Eric Morecambe's 100th birthday in style
D-Day hero to open new Lancaster Armed Forces veterans centre on 102nd birthday
Pothole Patrol sisters from Morecambe take their campaign to breakfast TV
Morecambe beaches given national Seaside Award for cleanliness
Lancaster Oxfam charity shop set to reopen after closure
