Today the Police Authority welcomed an official report which says the Constabulary is ‘well prepared’ to tackle the financial challenges ahead.

Earlier this year, like all forces and authorities, we were underwent an inspection from HMIC to see how well prepared we are to meet the financial challenge and what the impact will be on the service they provide to the public.

The report says both the Constabulary and Authority understand the scale of the challenge facing them and have developed a strategic four year plan to meet it. It also says the force is ahead of where it needs to be and has prepared well.

Together with the Constabulary, we have developed a comprehensive review programme which has included a series of organisational reviews and resulted in a four year plan.

Lancashire is known for its first class service deliveryand high performance and we are determined to keep it that way.

We are really pleased that the report acknowledges the huge progress the Constabulary and the Authority have made to meet the funding gap while protecting police performance. 

HMIC recognised that we had taken on board the scale of the challenge at an early stage and taken appropriate actions to deliver the necessary savings.

The report also highlights the Authority’s ongoing involvement at every stage of the change programme, specifically noting our innovative consultation with the public to ensure that local opinion helped to shape our decisions.

We were pleased to see that our work on the policing plan has not gone unnoticed, with our ongoing and successful challenges to continue the reductions in crime and anti-social behaviour noted.

It’s important that we address the issues that matter most to local tax payers and that’s what we are intent upon doing.

Click here to view Press Release and HMIC Report