Following the recent Safe and Secure BID Breakfast, we are pleased to see the Police reacting to the concerns of local businesses to help address the increasing amount of antisocial behaviour being witnessed in the city centre.
Following on from feedback, the Police have formalised their approach to dealing with anti-social behaviour in Lancaster and Morecambe. They have coined this “Operation Brassica” – every Friday and Saturday night they will have every available Neighbourhood Policing officer conducting high visibility patrols in Lancaster city centre and Morecambe town centre. Officers will be given specific tasking about problem areas and problem persons. Shifts will begin by visiting vulnerable premises and persons home addresses to try and deter antisocial behaviour. Officers will then be out on foot patrol for reassurance, and to deal with incidents as they are happening live. The team will also provide updates around their activities on social media. After the weekend, officers will follow up with home visits, social services referrals, and school visits. Any offences will be dealt with robustly.
This initiative has begun already and is already starting to have some great results. Hopefully you have seen more officers out and about.
In other news three youths who were captured on CCTV committing burglaries in student accommodation have been arrested; some property has been recovered and the case is currently with the CPS.
The initiative has also shown the benefits of partnership working with Lancaster BID and city centre businesses. A young person in school uniform was caught on CCTV defacing St Nic’s Arcade with Graffiti. Through working together and contacting the school, the pupil was identified, and parents were contacted. We were delighted with the strong response from the school concerned.
Make sure your business signs up to Disc and you let us know about any issued you are experiencing so we can continue to tackle your priorities.
