A dedicated security hub is coming to Lancaster city centre in a bid to tackle crime as part of a national crackdown aimed at making the streets safer.
Nearly £20,000 has been invested to introduce Safer Pods, supported by a £3,000 contribution from Lancashire Partnership Against Crime (LANPAC), and additional funding allocated by Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw from the proceeds of crime.
Safer Pods are portable, self-contained security hubs designed to deter criminal activity, enhance public safety, and provide reassurance to communities. Each unit features tamper-proof CCTV technology, 360° coverage, sirens, and strobe lights for maximum impact.
Six pods are being located across the county including in Lancaster, as well as the transport hubs at Blackburn Bus Station and Preston Bus Station, Charnock Richard services, and key town centre areas including in Longridge and Lytham. A further two are also located in Burnley.
The locations were chosen following feedback from a recent survey of 5,000 women and girls across Lancashire which highlighted that women and girls wanted safer options around transport hubs, particularly during darker evenings. A further two Pods will also operate in retail crime hotspots, helping to prevent shoplifting, harassment, and antisocial behaviour, alongside police enforcement as part of Operation Vulture, Lancashire’s response to retail crime.
This initiative forms part of the Safer Streets Winter of Action, a national campaign tackling retail theft, abuse of shop workers, organised criminality, street crime, and antisocial behaviour, as well as crime in the nighttime economy.
Running until the end of January, the campaign includes extra high visibility patrols in busy town centres, increased partnership working, and firm action against festive offenders.
Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, said: “We know that darker nights and the run up to Christmas can lead to more crime impacting retailers and town centre areas, and it’s vital that we do all we can to make our streets as safe as possible.
“By investing money that we have taken from criminals and putting it back into the community, we are able to prevent people and businesses from becoming victims in the first place and support enforcement and evidence gathering where offending does take place.
“Crime prevention is at the heart of my Police and Crime Plan, as it means fewer victims of crime, safer more confident communities, and lessening some of the pressure on the policing service. This funding, alongside dozens of other projects delivering the priorities the public want to see, makes a real difference.
“Through more visible neighbourhood policing, stronger partnerships on the ground, and initiatives like Safer Pods, our aim is to stop offenders in their tracks and make communities safe and secure.”
Insp Oli Tattersley from Lancashire Constabulary said: “We’re committing to making Lancashire an ever-safer place to live and visit and as such, we welcome this extra crime fighting capability. The pods serve will serve as both a visible deterrent and a practical tool for tool for monitoring and evidence gathering, particularly in places where we know people may feel less safe.
“Other areas of the country have seen significant reductions in shoplifting and antisocial behaviour as a result of introducing the Safer Pods so, alongside the high visibility patrols taking place as part of Op Vulture and Op Centurion, we too, hope to see lower crime levels and increased public confidence.”
David Smith OBE, LANPAC Chairman, said: “We’re proud to support this initiative alongside the Commissioner and Lancashire Constabulary. By providing match funding, LANPAC helps deliver practical solutions like Safer Pods that deter crime and make our communities safer. Working together, we can make a real difference in reducing crime and protecting local businesses.”
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