BlogPreston

Nine arrested across Lancashire after dawn raids

Nine people have been arrested after police carried out a series of coordinated dawn raids across Kirkham, Preston, Blackpool and Bolton in a crackdown on serious and organised crime. Officers swooped on properties as part of a major investigation into criminal activity across Cumbria, Lancashire and Merseyside. The operation, called Operation Redpoll, began at around 7am Tuesday October 11 and involved officers from Lancashire’s Serious [...]

Crime Roundup 16/09/11 – Police investigate a ‘flasher’ in Penwortham

Lancashire police are appealing for information following a number of “flashing” incidents at a park in Penwortham. In June and July police received four reports of a naked man who emerged from bushes in the park and approached a group of school girls between the times of 2.30pm and 4.30pm. Over the past past four months, there have been six separate reports of a man [...]

Preston man questioned over double murder in Fulwood

A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the discovery of two bodies at a bungalow in Fulwood. Two women were found dead in Longfield and the man, from Preston, was arrested at the scene. Post mortem examinations will be carried out to establish the causes of death. Police were called to a house on Longfield following a report of a fire [...]

Special Police Inspectors appointed to oversee Lancashire Police’s voluntary constables

Eleven special inspectors have been appointed to oversee Lancashire’s Special Constabulary,  managing the policing activity of special sergeants and special constables across the county’s six policing divisions. Special Inspector Peter Allen, Special Insp Jonathan Norris and Special Insp Dave Massam will undertake the role in Southern Division, covering South Ribble, Chorley and West Lancashire and Special Insp Scott Starkie and Special Insp James Ogunsakin will oversee [...]

Crime in Lancashire falls to record low, according to Home Office

Crime in Lancashire has fallen 5% to a record low over the past year, according to new figures. 102,503 offences were reported between April of last year and the end of March 2011, according to the Home Office’s British Crime Survey, released this week. Violence against the person, vehicle offences and drug offences have all seen a fall during the past 12 months, but there [...]

Police issue warning after spate of bag thefts

Police are reminding members of the public to keep their belongings with them after a number of unattended bags were stolen in a Preston park. Four reports have been received over the past two weeks of bags or items from bags being stolen from Avenham Park whilst they were left unattended. Insp Eddie Newton said: “It appears that whilst residents have been enjoying the sunshine [...]

Drugs dog and body scanner used at Preston station

A scheme designed to crackdown on anti-social behaviour led to an arrest at Preston train station. Operation Valentine, run by British Transport Police, used airport-style metal detectors and a drugs dog to tackle criminals. One man in his 40s was arrested and charged on suspicion of carrying a knife. Four other people were caught carrying small amounts of cannabis and handed street warning notices. Sergeant [...]

Police horses prepare for busy festive period

Spare a thought this festive season for Lancashire’s police horses who have a busy festive schedule ahead of them. Based at the Lancashire Constabulary’s headquarters in Hutton, just outside Preston, the horses and their handlers will be policing Boxing Day fixtures and the January games. They also have duties on New Years Eve and during busy shopping periods in Preston city centre. The last two [...]

Police cordon off Deepdale area as blaze rages on

A former warehouse has been evacuated and a 500 feet area cordoned off after a four-storey building was engulfed by flames. The building, on Kent St, is home to the Iqra education centre and the Biker Asylum motorcycle shop. Children were seen leaving the building barefoot, having been evacuated by fire-fighters. Eye-witness Pete Switzer, 36, described how he heard “two little explosions” adding the apparent cause was an electric heater. [...]

Extra police ensure peaceful protests take place

A huge police operation ensured that two demonstrations in Preston city centre took place without major incident. A protest by the English Defence League (EDL) and a counter-demonstration from Unite Against Fascism (UAF) resulted in just 14 arrests taking place. Police said that the demonstrations were relatively incident free and that the majority of demonstrators had already left the area. “Although there were minor scuffles [...]

Huge job losses expected in Lancashire Police

ALL community support officers have been told that their jobs could disappear as soon as March 2011. Lancashire Police currently employs 409 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), and every one of them have been told they could find themselves jobless.

Police set for huge job-cuts

George Osborne’s austerity measures designed to cut the deficit will affect law and order, says Lancashire’s top cop. Lancashire Police has announced it will cut around 1000 jobs over the next four years to save in the region of £50m.

Police crackdown on under-age drinking

28 pubs, clubs and off-licences have failed alcohol purchasing tests as part of an ongoing scheme by Lancashire Police.

97 premises in Preston were tested, with nearly 200 tests conducted in total, according to information obtained by Blog Preston.