Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden visiting Lancashire prisons like HMP Preston, HMP Wymott, Lancaster Farms and Kirkham to help tackle reoffending

Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden has teamed up with the prison governor at HMP Preston to discuss ways to keep communities safe from repeat offenders and clamp down on organised crime taking place in jails. The visit follows meetings at Lancashire prisons, including HMP Wymott, Lancaster Farms and Kirkham.

Mr Snowden said: "Whilst we are working hard to ensure that those who commit serious crimes in our communities end up in prison, our responsibility doesn't stop there. The police must work closely with the prison service to make sure that drugs and phones don't get in and that organised crime activities are disrupted in and around prisons.

"While we must ensure that criminals are punished appropriately, we also need to work in partnership to ensure that those who are sent to prison have the support they need when they are released to be fully productive and good members of society - free of addiction and ready to join the workforce.

"This forms part of the wider work around criminal justice here in Lancashire. My deputy, Andy Pratt MBE, now chairs the Lancashire Criminal Justice Board, which brings together agencies with responsibility for delivering criminal justice services in the county to reduce crime, harm and risk and to ensure victims receive the justice they deserve.

"I will continue to lead the fight against crime across Lancashire by working closely with the police and our partners, such as the Violence Reduction Network whose funding I contribute towards, to tackle crime as efficiently and effectively as possible."