Commissioner brings Lancashire businesses together as new partnership launches to strengthen the fight against business crime
Meeting quarterly, the Board will provide a direct link between policing teams and the county’s business community, ensuring issues on high streets, in workplaces and across retail centres are clearly understood and addressed. The businesses involved are those that reported the highest number of incidents to Lancashire Constabulary over the past year, and also include Business Improvement Districts and Chambers of Commerce.The Board aims to improve collaboration, intelligence sharing and the overall response to offences such as shoplifting, staff harassment and anti‑social behaviour, reflecting the Commissioner’s commitment to proactive, partnership‑led work to keep businesses safe.Its launch builds on initiatives like Operation Vulture, which has increased enforcement against shoplifting, and Operation Centurion, which targets anti‑social behaviour across Lancashire – both highlighting the importance of strong relationships with local businesses in tackling shared challenges.Commissioner and Partnership Chair Clive Grunshaw said:“Lancashire’s businesses are vital to our communities, our economy and our high streets. They deserve to feel safe, supported and confident that crime affecting them is taken seriously.“Bringing businesses together with the police through this new Board strengthens that partnership, giving us a clear and regular forum to hear directly from these organisations, share intelligence and shape solutions to the issues impacting staff and customers.“We’ve already seen through work like Operation Vulture and Operation Centurion how much can be achieved when businesses and policing work closely together. This Board builds on that momentum – ensuring the voices of business owners are not only heard, but central to how we tackle crime across Lancashire.“My priority is making Lancashire a safer place to live and work, and partnership working is absolutely key to delivering that.”
