Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Businesses from across Preston City Centre came together last week (Friday 5th December) to join in a multi-agency action plan to continue to tackle retail crime and ASB.
The long-term plan will see Police, Preston City Council and Preston Business Improvement District (BID), working alongside businesses with the shared goal of creating a safer, more vibrant and thriving City Centre.
Through multi-agency operational activity to tackle anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and organised offending, the action plan aims to promote shared intelligence, and joint initiatives aimed at enhancing community safety and improving quality of life.
Partners will also work together to continue to create a safe and thriving night time economy by conducting operations to support licensed premises, joint night-time safety and welfare operations and promote responsible premises management through regular training.
Helen Bevan, Neighbourhood Policing Chief Inspector for Preston said: “Preston is a fantastic City, and we want to keep it that way.
“The work mentioned in the plan is work that we carry out every day through Operation Vulture and Operation Centurion, our countywide responses to retail crime and anti-social behaviour. We have strong links with our partner agencies and regularly work together on operational activity.
“The action plan demonstrates a shared commitment from us, Preston City Council and BID to ensure that we can strengthen confidence, improve visibility and continue to work together to ensure that Preston is a safe and welcoming place for those who live, work and visit.”
Councillor Freddie Bailey, cabinet member for Environment and Community Safety said:
“We’re proud of our strong partnership with the Police and Preston BID and the Action Plan. Working together, we share a commitment to making Preston a safe, welcoming, and vibrant destination for everyone.
“Recently, we’ve announced that 14 new cameras will be installed across the city centre. By focusing on key routes and known hotspots, these cameras will help deter crime, assist police investigations, and give people greater confidence when they’re in Preston city centre.”
Mark Whittle from BID said: “There’s been a lot of ongoing work in the city centre, undertaken by us and our partners. The Action Plan, which has been put together following conversations with the business community, will help us deliver additional elements, ensuring that Preston remains a safe and enjoyable place to trade, and to visit.
“We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Police, City Council, and the business community, to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the plan, and see direct results from the work undertaken.”