Thursday, January 29, 2026
The Prosper Partnership in Nelson and Brierfield has completed a transformative six months of activity throughout 2025, delivering major disruption to serious and organised crime while strengthening vital relationships with communities and partner agencies.
Launched in April 2025 to tackle issues such as drug dealing, organised criminal groups and deprivation, the Prosper Partnership team has grown into a highly effective multi-agency collaboration. Early work focused on listening to communities, with residents completing the Lancashire Talking survey identifying road safety, drugs, anti-social behaviour and environmental concerns as key priorities. This set the direction for the Partnership’s long‑term approach.
With strong early buy‑in from schools, local authorities, services and community groups, the Partnership developed five Operational Delivery Groups covering Road Safety, Children and Young People, Environmental issues, Community Cohesion and Communications. Strategic and Tactical Partnership groups are now well established, with up to 25 partners attending regular meetings, a clear sign of the collective determination to support local neighbourhoods.
The past six months has seen significant operational successes. Officers have executed 16 warrants, made 70 arrests and seized more than £750,000 in drugs, around £500,000 in illicit tobacco and cigarettes, £100,000 in cash and a further £100,000 in frozen bank assets. Eight closure orders and notices have been issued, and the Partnership has delivered 81 road safety enforcement outcomes and 77 intelligence submissions.
Multi-agency activity has been central to the Partnership’s impact. Work with Trading Standards, Immigration, DWP and local policing teams uncovered illegal working and illicit sales across multiple businesses, leading to several targeted enforcement days. Operation Wanderstar in October 2025 resulted in the seizure of over £200,000 in illicit goods, six arrests for fraud and money laundering, and three shops being closed for three months.
Ten coordinated warrants executed across Nelson and Brierfield in October resulted in eight arrests and further warrants in November recovered significant quantities of drugs and illicit tobacco, with arrests also identifying links to potential child sexual exploitation concerns.
Engagement with young people has been a major theme throughout the year. Following extensive research and direct conversations with local teenagers, the Children and Young People group are developing a short film about the exploitation of a 16‑year‑old by an organised crime group. The film, to be released in early 2026, reflects real risks in the local area and aims to raise awareness and encourage earlier intervention.
Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Claire Pearson said: “The Prosper Partnership shows what can be achieved when agencies and communities work together with a shared purpose. The enforcement results have been significant, but just as important are the relationships built with local residents, schools and partners. This collaborative approach is driving real and lasting change for neighbourhoods in Nelson and Brierfield.
“Our enforcement activity will continue into 2026, and I would urge anyone with any information regarding criminal activity in their area to report this to us.”
As the Partnership moves into 2026, a collective plan will set clear priorities for the year ahead. Monthly Lancashire Talking updates continue to keep residents informed and involved, with strong positive feedback. With deepened partnerships, renewed community confidence and a proven track record of results, the Prosper Partnership enters the new year focused on sustaining long‑term improvements for the people of Nelson and Brierfield.
You can report suspicious activity anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or via the Lancashire Police website at https://www.lancashire.police.uk/ro/report/
For more information about the Prosper Partnership and how it’s implementing the Home Office Clear, Hold, Build strategy visit https://www.lancashire.police.uk/police-forces/lancashire-constabulary/areas/campaigns/campaigns/the-prosper-partnership/.