Police Now officers are playing a vital role in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in Lancashire.
Communities nationwide where Police Now officers have been posted for the last 22-months have seen 38,772 fewer incidents of anti-social behaviour compared to the same time period from October 2016 – equivalent to a 14 per cent drop.
Officers on Police Now’s National Graduate Leadership Programme have been working alongside their colleagues within their local neighbourhood teams.
As well as the drop in anti-social behaviour, communities have also seen 14,301 fewer incidents of criminal damage & arson – a fall of 13 per cent. There were 12,460 fewer incidents of burglary – a fall of 16 per cent – and 31,732 fewer incidents of theft, equivalent to a 14 per cent fall.
PC Lewis Cosh of Lancashire Constabulary responded to a report that a man had knocked an older woman unconscious on a busy high street in Blackpool. There were numerous other reports made about the man including violent assaults, public order offences and thousands of pounds of damage to businesses in Blackpool Town Centre. PC Cosh arrested the man and secured strong evidence for a conviction against him, successfully obtaining a Criminal Behaviour Order. As a result, there have been no further reports of the man committing crimes in the town centre.
PC Cosh said “[one of the things that makes me proud] is seeing the change in the area you have been policing. Whether that is the reduction in police reports, seeing the area become safer, or hearing positive things from members of the community that have been impacted. It makes you feel that the work you and the others you work with do is worthwhile.”
PC Charles McCarthy of Lancashire Constabulary also obtained Criminal Behaviour Orders against two individuals in his policing area, Skelmersdale. He helped dramatically reduce the number of hoax 999 and 101 calls being carried out by the two repeat offenders, who were ringing in false reports that a crime had been committed or claiming there was concern for someone’s safety. In those instances, ambulances usually had to attend, placing a huge strain on emergency services. PC McCarthy worked with colleagues to gather enough evidence for the court to issue Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) against the pair. The number of hoax 999 calls – and subsequent deployment from Police, Fire and Ambulance, has now greatly reduced.
Police Now’s mission is to transform communities by recruiting, developing and inspiring diverse leaders in policing.
Officers on Police Now’s programmes develop skills in leadership and problem-solving. They share a commitment to public service, fighting crime and inspiring social change alongside their colleagues.
Police Now has recruited a total of 1,830 officers across 33 forces in the UK, including Lancashire Constabulary. Chief Constable Chris Rowley has invested in his communities by partnering with Police Now for the past five years, with 53 police constables joining the force via this route.
Police Now consistently recruits more officers who are women or from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds compared to any other entry route into policing. Police Now recruitment data shows that of those starting the National Graduate Leadership Programme in Lancashire in 2020, 17% identified as coming from a black, Asian and minority Ethnic background and exactly half identified as women.