International visitors POP over to Lancashire

Date published: 16 February 2010

Police Officers from the Netherlands made the trip over to Lancashire last week to learn about Lancashire’s Neighbourhood Policing and Problem Oriented Partnerships (POP).

Lancashire Constabulary has been recognised by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary as one of the UK’s leading forces in Neighbourhood Policing and the force has also won a number of national and international POP awards for its partnership working, and has been recommended as an example of best practice by the International POP centre in America.

Police forces across the Netherlands are looking to introduce a Problem Oriented Partnership approach to problem solving in their communities, and have come to Lancashire learn how POP is used as part of Neighbourhood Policing across the county.

Chief Constable Steve Finnigan said, “Over the last decade, Lancashire Constabulary, and its partners, have become internationally recognised for problem solving excellence.

“In today’s society, organisations need to work together to resolve many of the problems and issues affecting our communities. We need to address, not just the symptoms, but also the causes of community problems, and whilst we are leading the way, I still believe there’s more that we can do to develop our multi-agency based problem solving approach. I am particularly keen to bring the principles of neighbourhood policing, neighbourhood management and restorative justice much closer together to create even more effective partnership activity, ultimately leading to a safer environment for Lancashire’s communities to live and work in.”