Working together to tackle crime in Wyre

Left to right – Community Safety Officers Jennifer Paddon-Baggaley, Michelle Marshall and Rachel Lee, Inspector Jon Smith, Cllr Roger Berry and Local Policing Officer Kevin Berry.

A new integrated team hub has been created at Wyre Council’s Civic Centre as two policing teams have moved to the offices.

The neighbourhood policing team for Poulton le Fylde, Stalmine and Knott End on Sea will now use the base along with the police’s community safety team for Fylde and Wyre, allowing them to work closely with partners from Wyre Council, Fylde Council, Lancashire County Council and other agencies to prevent crime across the area.

The new hub will focus on identifying risks to community safety, safeguarding and coordinating early intervention to prevent problems escalating into crime. It will allow for closer partnership working so that risks can be spotted early and the right support can be put in place.

Councillor Roger Berry, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Community Safety at Wyre Council commented ‘I am pleased to welcome our police neighbourhood team for Poulton, Stalmine and Knott End into a new operating base at the Civic Centre. Having the local police team based here will greatly assist in targeting local crime, problem solving and engagement within our community. The partnership approach taken by the police community safety team we believe will result in individuals being less likely to enter the criminal justice system and less likely to need the services of police and other agencies in the longer term, reducing demand on frontline resources. It will also help to spot risks, intervene early and prevent problems occurring rather than having to try to put the pieces back together again after an event. Ultimately, we hope to create better lives for children, families and individuals in Wyre.’

Wyre Inspector Jon Smith said ‘This new hub not only ensures that we retain a base in the heart of the community, it provides the opportunity for further joint working with colleagues from other agencies. We will work together to prevent crime and address wider community safety risks. The local policing team will continue to work to keep people safe and tackle the issues that matter to local residents.’

The change comes after Poulton Police Station was identified as surplus to operational requirements last year.

There will be no front counter service at the Civic Centre. Residents should continue to use West Division Police Headquarters in Blackpool or Fleetwood Police Station if they need to visit a police station. Crime can be reported online at www.lancashire.police.uk/reportonline or by calling 101.