Lancashire Police are continuing to take the fight to criminals as part of the latest Operation Vanquish, a major countrywide operation to crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour across Lancashire.

On Thursday 1 September, officers carried out six warrants at addresses in Preston, Blackpool, Accrington and Nelson and made a number of arrests for those involved in the supply of illegal drugs.

Officers also seized quantities of cash, suspected Class A and Class B drugs, hunting knives and pepper spray.

Supt Chris Hardy, of Lancashire Police said: “Every day of the week, work is ongoing to disrupt drug supply and those who are involved in drugs and associated criminality across our county.

“The message is clear: if you are involved in criminality in Lancashire, there is nowhere to hide.

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“A huge thank you to the community who provide us with intelligence and ongoing support. We will continue to listen to you and work together to keep Lancashire a safe place to live, work and visit.”

Andrew Snowden, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire said: “Operation Vanquish is my Fighting Crime Plan in action – focussing the police’s resources on targeting criminals that operate across Lancashire. It’s so important to get out in the front line as much as I can, seeing officers and staff taking the fight to criminals and talking about how we can do even more. 

“The intelligence that comes into the police from members of the public often leads to more doors being put through, more arrests and more offenders behind bars, and is so often crucial, with officers working around the clock to make the county as safe as possible, sometimes unseen, investigating to ensure criminals are brought to justice.

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“As I lead the fight against crime, we’re focusing on delivering what we all want to see our police force doing – fighting crime and protecting people. I’m determined to reduce the number of victims of crime by giving the police the resources and support to target criminal offenders, particularly repeat offenders who time and again cause misery for innocent members of the public and get them off the streets.”

As a result of the search warrants: 

• A 28 year old man from Blackpool was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a class A drug and possession of an offensive weapon.
• A 34 year old man from Preston was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug and possession of a firearm.
• A 38 year old woman from Preston was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug and possession of a firearm.
• A 52 year old woman from Preston was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class a drug and possession of a firearm.

Operation Vanquish is ongoing and more work is planned in the coming weeks designed to disrupt and deter criminal activity and keep communities safe.

If you have any information which may assist Lancashire Police, get in touch on 101, call Crimestoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555 111 or you can report a crime online by visiting Do it Online.

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