Police in Lancashire are celebrating the heroes of the force in a week-long initiative which honours the significant contribution made by police staff.   

From vehicle maintenance unit staff to control room operators, to crime scene investigators and beyond, this week, Lancashire Constabulary is celebrating the heroes of the police staff working behind the front line. 

Launched by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), with support from the College of Policing, the first national Police Staff Week of Celebration and Recognition will shine a spotlight on the individuals who play an important role within the policing family.

By raising awareness of the diverse roles covered by police staff, it is also hoped it will encourage other professionals to consider a future in policing.  

Temporary Chief Constable Sacha Hatchett welcomed the week of celebration, and said: “The role that staff play within Lancashire Police is not widely understood and deserves to be celebrated.

"This week is all about recognising their essential work and showing the public that police staff, just like officers, play a key role in policing and keeping the communities of Lancashire safe.

“We have almost 2,500 police staff within the constabulary, spanning departments from legal to our amazing nurses in occupational health, to control room operators answering 999 calls, to the wonderful staff we all know so well in our canteens.

“Lancashire Police would not be able to run without these individuals, and I want to thank each and every staff member and volunteer for their hard work and dedication.

"We celebrate you this week, and every week, you are the heroes working behind the front line, and very much at the heart of the policing family. Thank you.”

Andrew Snowden, police and crime commissioner for Lancashire, added: "Police staff play a critical role in my mission to lead the fight against crime here in Lancashire.

"Their roles vary from being on the frontline as PCSO's, digital investigators, crime scene experts and call centre operatives that talk to the public at often their worst moments, all the way through to the critical enabling services like estate and fleet.

"Whilst most of their work goes unseen, police staff are as vital to the round the clock work of Lancashire Constabulary as the officer who cuffs the criminal, because that officer relies on the support staff in place to do their job.

"Without all the functions to ensure the organisation is as efficient and effective as it can be, we wouldn’t be able to able to deliver my Fighting Crime Plan and see the reductions in crime and increase in offenders behind bars that we are doing, which is exactly what the public expect to see.”