Commissioner Clive Grunshaw - September 2026
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Commissioner Clive Grunshaw - September 2026 |
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Welcome to the September edition of my stakeholder newsletter, where I bring you the latest updates on crime and policing across Lancashire. This month has seen continued progress in delivering the priorities set out in my Police and Crime Plan. From investing more than £90,000 of cash seized from criminals back into local communities, to launching a new Serious Violence Strategy through my Violence Reduction Network, we are continuing to take action to prevent crime, support victims, and make Lancashire safer. Neighbourhood policing remains central to that work. I welcomed the renewed national focus on community policing outlined in the State of Policing Report and saw first-hand the impact local officers are having during a visit to Chorley town centre alongside local partners. These visible policing teams are often the public face of the service and play a vital role in building trust, preventing crime, and responding to the issues that matter most to residents. This month also saw important discussions at my Accountability Board around the work being undertaken to support victims of rape and sexual assault, alongside continued investment in initiatives that help women and girls feel safer in our communities. Combined with our ongoing efforts to tackle serious violence, reduce reoffending and strengthen prevention activity, these achievements demonstrate what can be achieved when policing, local authorities, community groups and wider partners work together. Clive Grunshaw Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls
To mark World Suicide Prevention Day, our Blue Shoes Exhibition visited Preston as part of its ongoing tour across Lancashire. Delivered in partnership with AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse), the exhibition helps raise awareness of suicide, encourages important conversations around prevention, and highlights the devastating impact these deaths have on families and communities. The exhibition also supports our wider campaign for Kiena’s Law, which is calling for stronger legal recognition of domestic abuse-related suicides and greater accountability where coercive and controlling behaviour contributes to a victim taking their own life. Alongside the exhibition, we continue to encourage people to support the petition backing this campaign. By raising awareness, listening to lived experience, and working with partners, we can continue to drive change locally and nationally while helping to prevent future tragedies.
As part of my commitment to tackling violence against women and girls, I have opened a dedicated funding opportunity to support community projects during this year's 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. Through my Community Grants Fund, I am inviting charities, voluntary organisations, and community groups to apply for funding to deliver projects that focus on prevention, early intervention, awareness raising, community engagement, and support for victims and survivors. I am particularly keen to support initiatives that challenge harmful attitudes, engage men and boys as allies, improve online safety awareness, and reach communities that may face additional barriers to accessing support. Violence against women and girls remains a national emergency, and creating meaningful change requires action from all parts of society. By supporting local organisations and community-led activity, we can raise awareness, strengthen prevention efforts, and help create safer communities across Lancashire. Projects should be delivered during this year's 16 Days of Activism, which runs from 25 November to 10 December, and organisations wishing to apply must submit their applications by 31 October. Early applications are strongly encouraged to ensure funding can be awarded in time for the campaign period. Read more about funding during the 16 Days of Activism and how to apply
This month I visited a Blackburn project that is helping women and girls feel safer and more confident in public spaces. Through practical support, engagement, and partnership working, the initiative is helping participants build confidence while tackling some of the fears and concerns that can prevent people from fully participating in community life. By supporting targeted local projects like this, we are helping to prevent harm, improve feelings of safety, and ensure women and girls are able to access public spaces with confidence.
This month I welcomed new Government measures aimed at tackling violence against women and girls, including the introduction of specialist rape courts and a national taskforce to tackle misogyny. These measures have the potential to improve outcomes for victims, strengthen the justice system, and address the attitudes and behaviours that can contribute to abuse and violence. This builds on the significant work already underway across Lancashire through initiatives such as my Get the Message campaign, continued scrutiny of rape and serious sexual offence investigations, and our ongoing support for victims and survivors. I also continue to campaign for greater recognition of domestic abuse-related suicide through Kiena's Law, ensuring the role of perpetrators is properly recognised where abuse contributes to a victim taking their own life. Together, these measures represent important steps towards creating a safer Lancashire for women and girls.
Tackle Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour £90,000 invested back into Lancashire communities This month I announced more than £90,000 of funding through my Community Fund, using money seized from criminals to support projects across Lancashire. The funded initiatives will deliver a wide range of activity aimed at preventing crime, supporting vulnerable people, reducing reoffending, and improving community safety. Using money taken from criminals to fund positive local action continues to be one of the most effective ways we can turn the proceeds of crime into lasting benefits for Lancashire residents.
I joined Chorley MP Sir Lindsay Hoyle and local officers for a town centre patrol to see first-hand the work being undertaken to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. Neighbourhood policing teams play a vital role in addressing local concerns, engaging with businesses and residents, and ensuring visible policing remains at the heart of our communities. It was encouraging to see the strong partnership working taking place locally and the commitment officers continue to show in keeping people safe.
Launching Lancashire's new Serious Violence Strategy My Violence Reduction Network brought together partners from across Lancashire this month to launch a new Serious Violence Strategy designed to drive further reductions in violence across the county. The strategy builds on the significant progress already made through partnership working and focuses on prevention, early intervention, data-led decision making, and supporting those most at risk of becoming involved in violence. Violence is not inevitable. By bringing agencies together around a shared approach, we can continue to prevent harm and create safer communities. Read the full strategy on our website.
Champions is an innovative programme funded by my Lancashire Violence Reduction Network, supporting young people aged 10 to 25 who have experienced, or may be at risk of, serious violence. Delivered by nine football community trusts across Lancashire, the programme uses the power of sport, trusted relationships and positive opportunities to help young people build confidence, develop new skills and create brighter futures. I was really pleased to welcome an input from the trusts and our Champions Mentors at my recent Serious Violence Conference. Their commitment to helping young people reach their potential was both inspiring and encouraging, and the positive outcomes they are achieving speak volumes about the difference the programme is making across Lancashire. Referrals to the Champions Programme can be made by anyone, including the young person themselves, as well as professionals from organisations such as the police, Youth Justice Service and Children's Social Care. Find out more information about referrals and the programme at teamchampions.co.uk.
The Home Office recently announced their decision to expand the national knife crime crackdown. I am pleased to say that in Lancashire my Violence Reduction Network (LVRN) is leading the way and making significant progress to tackle the issue and to prevent people from carrying knives in the first place. Earlier this year, my LVRN secured £600,000 through the Knife Crime Concentration Fund. As a result, Lancashire is one of only seven areas in the country where work to deliver local plans is already underway. This funding allows us to take a proactive approach, bringing agencies together to identify risks and causes of violent behaviour and to disrupt offending and support those who may be vulnerable to becoming involved in knife crime. By acting early and working collectively, we’re helping to prevent harm before it happens to make our communities safer.
This month I chaired my latest Accountability Board meeting with the Chief Constable and senior leaders, reviewing performance across a range of key areas including violence against women and girls. A particular focus was placed on the work of Lancashire's dedicated rape and sexual assault teams, including the support available to victims and the progress being made to improve outcomes in these complex investigations. Holding the force to account is a key part of my role as Police and Crime Commissioner. Through regular public scrutiny sessions like this, we can ensure policing remains transparent, focused on delivering results, and responsive to the needs of Lancashire residents.
This month I welcomed the focus on neighbourhood policing highlighted within the latest State of Policing Report. Strong neighbourhood teams are fundamental to building public trust and confidence. They provide visible reassurance, solve local problems, gather critical intelligence, and maintain strong relationships with communities. As policing continues to evolve, it is vital that the local link between officers and communities remains at the heart of the service. That is why neighbourhood policing continues to be a major focus within my Police and Crime Plan.
I am supporting the National Public Confidence in Policing Survey. This is a major research study exploring people’s views and experiences of crime, anti-social behaviour and policing across the UK. The survey is being delivered through In the Know, on behalf of the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs’ Council, who are working with researchers from the London School of Economics and University College London. The research aims to improve understanding of what shapes public confidence in policing, how confidence changes over time, and what impact neighbourhood policing has on local communities.
You do not need to have had contact with the police to take part. Every response helps build a better understanding of what matters most to local communities. The findings will be used to: The survey should take no longer than 10 minutes.
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