The Community Safety Partnership (CSP) is pleased to introduce the Pennine Lancashire Community Safety Strategy 2026-2029. Established in 2015 following the formal merger of Blackburn with Darwen, Rossendale and Burnley Community Safety Partnerships, and in 2019, Hyndburn, this is our first strategy to be developed collaboratively and will help bring even greater focus to what is a vibrant and diverse part of Lancashire.

Reducing crime and disorder and protecting vulnerable people are essential to improving the lives of Pennine Lancashire residents. We have had notable successes in protecting those who are vulnerable, changing the behaviour of offenders and keeping Pennine residents, businesses and visitors safe.

We are proud of our achievements to date but know that more needs to be done. The past few years have been difficult, with pressure growing on emergency, safeguarding and prevention services. There have been reductions in public resources, and a range of government policy changes over the past three years have led to challenges. Over the next two years, we will work with partners on the Local Government Reorganisation.

While acknowledging these pressures, by working together and prioritising our resources towards areas likely to achieve and sustain positive outcomes, we will demonstrate our commitment to improving community safety and continue to find new ways of working effectively and efficiently with partners.

Positive relationships with our communities are vital to help prevent and tackle crime; promoting community cohesion has an important role in responding to the challenges we face and is key to our success going forward, hence it is a significant focus for us here in Pennine Lancashire.

We aim to keep Pennine Lancashire a safe and forward-looking area of Lancashire where our communities, businesses and visitors do not see crime as a constraint to daily life and investment, something we are confident we can deliver. A strategic partnership has been a strength for us in Lancashire, often leading the way on projects, proactive delivery and identifying challenges and raising awareness.