A new way of working together to tackle policing and anti-social behaviour issues has been agreed by Blackpool Council and Lancashire Police.
The partnership will see the frontline services of both organisations work even closer together operationally to achieve common goals.
The new ‘joined up’ approach will allow for more co-ordinated and effective ways to deal with a wide range of issues such as environmental crime, housing enforcement, street drinking and begging.
The council’s community safety team, along with a range of other services, including public protection, security, civil enforcement, parks and cleansing services will become part of a wider, more inclusive, multi-disciplinary team working alongside and with the police, special constabulary and local policing teams.
Key elements of the new working practices will include the council being integrated more fully into the Police Tactical Tasking Group, joint planning of activities and campaigns, as well as combined training provision.
In addition, there are plans to co-locate key departments from both organisations in the Municipal Building to support this process.
Cllr Gillian Campbell, Blackpool Council Deputy Leader, said: “We already work very closely with the police at many levels. However, demands on the resources of both organisations continue to be extremely challenging.
“We have looked at many areas that provide opportunities for a more co-ordinated approach to deliver more robust and effective protection services at ground level to both residents and visitors.
“By adopting a ‘Team Blackpool’ approach which might also involve other private, public and voluntary partners we can create a more flexible service delivery to build safer communities.”
Chief Inspector Lee Wilson, said: “I welcome this initiative with Blackpool Council, this builds on existing good joint working and links but will allow us to pool our resources and tackle problems in an even more co-ordinated and joined up way than we do currently.
“The Team Blackpool approach will focus on the issues across the borough as they arise and we will be able to look across the full range of departments available and ensure the right elements are matched to the problem. There will of course be challenges to overcome, as with any new process, but jointly ‘owning’ responsibility for problem solving is in my view the way to go.”
An operational steering group will be established as part of the new working partnership initiative. This will consist of the Lancashire Police Chief Inspector, Blackpool Council’s Director of Community and Environmental Services and its Head of Public Protection. A representative from Blackpool’s BID (Business Improvement District) will also join the group.
