Lancs Police and Crime Commissioner welcomes fresh take on tackling reoffending

As part of his continued work to tackle crime and support those who have offended in the past to not do so again, Commissioner Clive Grunshaw backed the appointment of former Chief Constable in Cumbria, Jerry Graham as the new Independent Chair of the group of four local boards from the North, West, East, and South of the county.

Mr Graham will play a key role in helping the Commissioner fund projects which tackle crime and reoffending, while a £200k fund allows charities, organisations, and partners to bid for projects that will work with offenders in their areas and help integrate them back into the community.

"I'm delighted to welcome Jerry into his role," said Commissioner Grunshaw. "He brings an enormous amount of experience which I'm sure will help him hit the ground running, supporting and guiding the work of the local reoffending boards.

"Policing alone cannot prevent people reoffending and this builds on the work that has already been undertaken by partners within Lancashire's local Reducing Reoffending Boards," he added. "I know from seeing programmes that have received funding in the past how they can make a real difference and turn people's lives around."

This announcement builds on the work that has already been done by the boards, which includes representatives from partners including Lancashire Constabulary, local authorities, and the regional CRC, and with Mr Graham tasked with ensuring that each local board has a consistency of approach and that the work they do works towards the Commissioner's key priorities in his police and crime plan.

"I'm really pleased to take on this important role and I am looking forward to getting started, making a difference across Lancashire, and working with other board members ensure that the work we do links in with the Commissioner's priorities," said Jerry Graham, the newly-appointed Independent Chair of the Local Reducing Reoffending Boards.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Jacques added: “Breaking the cycle of crime is not an easy task. Investment, tailored support, and close partnership work between agencies are critical to help an offender stop reoffending and contribute positively once more to their community."