More than 100 arrests made in 15 months in Nelson as part of the Prosper Partnership

Friday, September 25, 2026

More than 100 arrests have been made across Nelson as part of Lancashire Constabulary’s ongoing work for the Prosper Partnership, since it launched in 2025.

The Prosper Partnership sees representatives from the public and private sectors (including Pendle Council, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, and Lancashire Fire and Rescue), along with local schools and community groups, working together to tackle serious and organised crime which is having a significant impact on local communities.

It follows the Clear, Hold, Build framework, developed by the Home Office, which clears out crime and offenders, and rebuilds neighbourhoods to make them safer, and increase public confidence in the police and partner agencies.

Since launching in May 2025:

  • A number of people responsible for the supply of illegal drugs across Nelson have been jailed.
  • Made more than 100 arrests have been made for serious organised crime related offences.
  • More than £1,000,000 of Class A and Class B drugs, including heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine, has been seized.
  • More than £200,000 in cash and valuables has been seized.
  • More than 2,000 cannabis plants and almost 4,000 illegal tablets have been seized.
  • 23 drugs warrants have been executed.
  • 7 properties and businesses linked to crime have been closed.
  • Car washes, barber shops, vape shops and licensed premises have been targeted.
  • Officers have helped our partners with days of action across Nelson, including litter picks and removing vehicles that have no MOT, tax or insurance.
  • Officers have worked with local schools to raise awareness of the dangers of crime for young people.
  • Officers have supported our most vulnerable in society through working with our Modern Slavery Team to target pop-up brothels and protect vulnerable females.

Ch. Insp. Phil Brown from the Neighbourhood Policing Team in Pendle said: “We are making significant progress across Nelson since launching the Prosper Partnership, and I am proud of the work our officers have done so far, and there is still more to do. We will continue to disrupt serious and organised crime, targeting criminals and their associates, and clearing them from the local area through our relentless activity.

“We are also continuously working alongside our partner agencies in the local area with high visibility patrols, to equip and empower local residents to build a strong and resilient community where crime and exploitation is significantly reduced.

“We need your help to do this. Please continue sharing information with us on the issues you are seeing across Nelson. Your knowledge is vital in helping us to disrupt criminals and hold them to account. We will continue to use all resources available to us to tackle serious and organised crime. Anyone with any information about crime in their area is asked to contact us on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always call 999.”

Councillor Dorothy Lord, Pendle Borough Council’s Communities Portfolio Holder, said: “We are delighted to be working with our partners on this initiative and encouraged with how it is going so far with the action that has been taken.

“We will continue with our collaboration to show residents we are trying to make a difference and make Pendle a safe place in which to live and work.”

Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, said: “I’m really pleased to see the ongoing positive impact of the Prosper Partnership in Nelson. It is all about rebuilding neighbourhoods that have previously been harmed by organised crime gangs and enabling partnership working that strengthens communities. 

“The Clear, Hold, Build approach is a key part of our commitment to combating serious, organised crime, delivering on my Police and Crime Plan for Lancashire and ultimately, allowing partners to strengthen community bonds in Nelson and beyond.”

You can find out more information about the Prosper Partnership here: The Prosper Partnership | Lancashire Constabulary