Crime in Ashton, Preston

Vehicle crime, particularly HGV thefts and plant‑machinery thefts, have been a key priority on the Haydock Industrial Estate.
Officers have been providing high‑visibility patrols and conducted reassurance visits across the estate, offering crime‑prevention advice to businesses and victims. CCTV enquiries are ongoing in relation to recent theft‑from‑motor‑vehicle offences.
Extra overnight patrols have been deployed, supported by cross‑border intelligence sharing with neighbouring forces to identify and target offenders. These combined efforts have contributed to a noticeable reduction in offences in the area.
The team will continue to focus on this priority to maintain the downward trend

Local policing officers and the Force Intelligence Bureau have been working with neighbouring forces tackling this issue. This has resulted in numerous arrests and recover of plant machinery.

Neighbourhood officers have been working with local businesses to raise awareness of the issues in their car parks and advised them on preventative measures they can employ. They have scrutinised CCTV opportunities in the area and ensured targeted patrols are deployed at key times. They have delivered posters to the businesses advising people to secure vehicles and property. Work is currently ongoing to target this issue.

Officers have provided a visible presence to hotspot locations, tailored shifts to target specific time frames and provided advice to business regarding designing out crime with the use of barriers, enhanced light and CCTV. These actions have saw a decrease in car crime in this area.
Officers regularly attend Kings George playing field, engage with young people in the area and have recently signposted youths to the Fuzzfest event during the summer months at Outwood Academy.