Lea and Larches

Shoplifting and retail crime

Continue targeted activity through Operation Vulture.
Work with Preston BID, retailers and security staff to improve intelligence sharing.
Identify prolific offenders and pursue arrests and positive criminal justice outcomes.
Encourage timely reporting and submission of CCTV and witness evidence.
Develop preventative measures to reduce repeat victimisation.

Lancashire Police reported the following results from the Preston City Centre Action Plan, published in June 2026:

16% reduction in reported ASB.
22% reduction in shoplifting.
49% positive outcomes for shoplifting.
271 arrests and 244 stop searches by the city centre team over the reported 12-month period.
1,825 incidents attended.
Overall assessment
Preston's neighbourhood policing approach should remain intelligence-led, visible and focused on the issues causing the greatest harm to local communities. The priorities are to reduce ASB and retail crime, disrupt drug-related activity and violence, tackle repeat offenders and strengthen partnership working.
Officers should continue to follow the three pillars of neighbourhood policing: engagement, problem-solving and targeted activity, ensuring that intelligence from In The Know and Lancashire Talking directly influences local tasking and operational activity.

Drugs, violence and serious organised crime

Develop intelligence-led operations targeting organised criminality and drug dealing.
Execute warrants, conduct stop searches where lawful and arrest offenders.
Target locations and individuals responsible for generating the greatest community harm.
Work with partner agencies to safeguard vulnerable people and prevent criminal exploitation.

Partnership working and community confidence

Maintain joint working with Preston City Council, Preston BID and other community partners.
Increase engagement with residents, businesses and vulnerable groups.
Use In The Know and Lancashire Talking feedback to identify emerging concerns.
Adopt problem-solving approaches rather than relying solely on enforcement.
Communicate outcomes to demonstrate that community concerns are being addressed.

Lancashire Talking – Community Engagement

Lancashire Talking is an important way for residents and businesses to communicate directly with Lancashire Police. It allows people to sign up to receive local policing updates, crime prevention advice and information about issues affecting their neighbourhood. It also gives the public an opportunity to share information, raise concerns and highlight local priorities. Officers should actively encourage residents and businesses to sign up, helping to improve intelligence, strengthen community relationships and ensure local policing activity reflects the concerns of the community.
To work with communities developing new and exsisting partners being place based accessible to all through traditional methods and modern technology

How to sign up:
visit www.stayintheknow.co.uk
Select the registration option.

Enter your contact details and postcode.

Choose how you wish to receive updates: email, text message or voicemail.

Select the information and organisations you want to hear from, including Lancashire Police.

Residents can also complete the Lancashire Talking survey when approached by a police officer or PCSO, or access it through Lancashire Police's website. By taking part, they can help shape local policing priorities and influence where police resources are directed

Anti-social behaviour (ASB) and street drinking Reduce youth-related ASB, including Nuiscance Motorbikes, E Bikes and E Scooters ,adult street drinking and associated disorder, particularly in Preston City Centre.

Conduct high-visibility and targeted patrols at identified hotspots.
Work with Preston City Council to address persistent street drinking and nuisance behaviour.
Use appropriate ASB legislation, including Community Protection Warnings and Notices where justified.
Identify repeat offenders and pursue enforcement alongside early intervention.
Engage with residents and businesses to identify emerging problems.