Blackpool Police work to stamp out anti-social behaviour in the town centre

Friday, July 26, 2024

This week officers from Blackpool Neighbourhood Teams have conducted two days of action, specifically targeting the town centre to help prevent anti-social behaviour. 

Focusing on issues such as aggressive begging and criminal damage, the local team: 

• Visited over 50 retail stores and spoke with them directly about any concerns.  

• Detained a number of shoplifting offenders, recovered any stolen property, and reported them for summons at court.  

• Intervened with people who had been seen causing anti-social behaviour, utilising powers available to direct them from the town centre area.  

• Engaged with the public to understand any concerns and what impact anti-social behaviour has on them. 

• Boarded up an abandoned building on Queens Street, in partnership with Blackpool Council, which was subject to anti-social behaviour related reports. 

• Arrested a 50-year-old man from Blackpool for failure to appear at court for drug related offences.   

This activity is a result of feedback given by local businesses and residents about the town centre area.  

Inspector Jon Campbell-Smith said: “We conducted this operation as a result of community feedback. We gained a lot of intelligence whilst out in the town centre, and we’re already putting plans in place to tackle the issues raised. 

“We patrolled some areas of the town centre with our partners at Blackpool Council and Blackpool BID, which allows us to create a wrap-around solution.  

“I’d encourage anyone to report anti-social behaviour, so we can deal with it as quickly as possible. You can report to police via 101 or online via the Lancashire Constabulary website. Always dial 999 in an emergency.” 

Op Centurion is a county-wide crackdown on anti-social behaviour, led by Lancashire Constabulary and backed by Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw, delivering his priority of getting tough on anti-social behaviour, with the support of our partners. 

Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said: "I want to strengthen Op Centurion to combat anti-social behaviour and make sure that this is a priority across Lancashire, in ASB hotspots and beyond."  

"Offenders must know crimes, even low-level ones, will be punished. 

"I'm committed to supporting Lancashire Constabulary, and scrutinising decisions made to ensure the residents of Lancashire are getting the policing service they deserve." 

You can find out more about Op Centurion here - Lancashire Tackling Anti Social Behaviour (lancashire-pcc.gov.uk)