Andrew Snowden  Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner Candidate for Lancashire pledges  if elected that the current Labour Police Commissioner’s policy of retreating from rural policing will end  and the front desks in Clitheroe and Longridge police stations will be re-opened. 

Andrew Snowden commented as he called for big changes -

‘’Ribble Valley is the largest Borough geographically in the County. And whilst a beautiful area and the happiest part of the country to live it’s rural villages attract property crime such as burglary and agricultural crime such as theft of agricultural equipment and vehicles and rustling of animals. The vibrant night time economy in Whalley, Clitheroe and Longridge meanwhile calls for an increased and more visible police presence to crack down on drug dealing, violence against the person and anti social behaviour. Resources are required to deal with speeding on rural roads and theft of and break-in to vehicles stealing car parts by out-of-town gangs on a made to order basis from roads and driveways in hotspots in rural areas.”

‘’Open Police stations are essential for residents to stay in touch with the police. Under Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Police & Crime Commissioner, Clive Grunshaw, they are forced to travel long distances to Accrington, Burnley, Preston or Blackburn . Even when police officers are in local stations, the public have to use yellow phones outside to call for assistance which has to come all the way from Colne or Blackburn. I will work with the Government to make sure that the Ribble Valley gets the police resources it needs to reopen our police stations and properly get to grips with rural crime." 

‘’I will make sure there is  a more even distribution of police resources throughout Lancashire and that Ribble Valleyresidents will not be treated as second class citizens.”

‘’Working with the new Conservative government I will take up   PM Boris Johnson promise to recruit 20,,000 police officers nationwide and make good use of 183  who will be added to the police strength in Lancashire.”

Nigel Evans MP pictured with Andrew Snowden outside closed Clitheroe police station -commented, ‘’The 11 Lancashire Conservative MPs will work with Andrew to make sure he has the resources needed to keep the public safe in their homes and communities.’’