Greater police presence in Preston over coming weeks
It comes as the city has seen a rise in violent crimes recently
Last updated 9th Jun 2021
Police in Preston will be out and about on the streets a little more than usual over the coming weeks.
They said in a post on social media that the greater presence is down to an increase in the number of violent incidents in the city.
The most recent happened on Grafton Street at the weekend.
DCI Mark Haworth-Oates said: “Fortunately while knife crime in Lancashire remains relatively low, we have seen some incidents recently where knives have been used in violent incidents and at the end of the day one incident is one too many and we are committed to tackling violent crime and keeping our communities safe.
“People may well see extra officers on the streets of certain parts of the city, alongside mounted branch and officers from Tac Ops who will be carrying out violent crime prevention and enforcement activities in known hot spots in addition to carrying out intelligence-led initiatives.
“We are determined to do all we can and to use all the resources at our disposal to prevent serious violent crime on our streets and to prosecute those who engage in such activity.
“If you carry a knife you’re more likely to get hurt. And when an incident happens the effects go beyond the victim and extends to their families – their parents, their siblings, their partner, and their children. Physical wounds act as a lifetime reminder and the emotional trauma remains with the family forever.
“What’s more, it’s illegal to carry a knife without a reasonable purpose or use it in a threatening way and being caught could land you in prison.
“I would urge those involved in knives and violence to make a change and to reflect on the potential consequences of their actions.”