Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Officers from The Prosper Partnership Team and Preston Task Force have carried out a multi-agency strike day in St Matt’s targeting businesses suspected of being involved in criminality.
They were joined by colleagues from Preston City Council’s Planning Enforcement, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Lancashire Trading Standards and Immigration, visiting premises on Maitland Street.
During the operation, which happened on Wednesday 19th November, 10 pieces of heavy plant and machinery running on rebated gas oil were seized by HMRC and three people were dealt with by Immigration. Two new planning breaches were identified – which will now be investigated by Preston City Council and Lancashire Trading Standards seized over 30 fake designer handbags.
Sergeant Hargreaves said: "This action has been taken as a result, in part, of information we have received from the community.
“We keep listening to you and acting on intelligence received to target premises suspected of being involved in illegal activity, like those targeted as part of this operation.
“We will continue to work with our partners to prosecute anyone who is committing criminal offences in Preston and encourage the public to continue to tell us about concerns they have by calling 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Councillor Amber Afzal, Cabinet member for planning and regulation at Preston City Council, added: “By working together with our partners on multi-agency days of action much more can be achieved by disrupting illegal activity, and uncovering actions such as the planning breaches found on this occasion. Our enforcement officers will now investigate the unauthorised works.
“If anyone suspects any planning breaches across Preston, it can be reported via our website - https://www.preston.gov.uk/planningenforcement”
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