East welcome new Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Mark Winstanley

On 1 September 2021, Divisional Commanders were reintroduced across Lancashire, focused on a coordinated approach to preventing and reducing crime, and ASB using problem solving, community engagement and targeted work. Mark Winstanley was promoted internally to Chief Superintendent in the Divisional Commander role in East division, formally starting his post on 1 September and based out of divisional headquarters at Greenbank police station.

The Divisional Commander role is not a new one to division, and they were in role until 2016 when thematic policing leads were centralised at Hutton; however, an internal review concluded that reinstating Commanders will improve accountability and delivery of our local policing services, and will play a key role in ensuring police and partners and working together to fight crime, protect people and keep communities safe.

Speaking of his professional experience and glad return to policing the East of the county, Ch. Supt. Mark Winstanley said:

“I have been a Police Officer with Lancashire Constabulary for 25 years, and started my policing career in 1996 in East, so I’m very proud to return to the division as Divisional Commander.

“I have worked across a range of roles in both uniform and detective departments from starting as a uniform PC in Accrington before moving into CID and then as a Detective Sergeant and Detective Inspector in both Investigations and Intelligence at Blackburn. In 2013, I was promoted to Detective Chief Inspector in Blackpool, West Division where I was later became the Superintendent Operations Manager, before moving to the Superintendent role in South division at Preston. In 2018, I became Head of the Professional Standards Department based at Hutton HQ, and then Head of Investigations and Safeguarding for the Force, before returning to East division now as Divisional Commander.

“Working with a well-established Senior Leadership Team here at East division, our priorities will include working closely with our partners and engaging with our communities to identify and address those matters that mean the most to them. We will strive to be on the front foot when tackling crime, focusing on prevention, but also dealing robustly with those who continue to commit crime and anti-social behaviour in our communities. Finally, but by no means least, we will focus with our partners on early identification of vulnerability, to effectively safeguard those who need our help, and to target those who exploit vulnerable people.”

The Commanders will focus specifically on the delivery of place-based policing and forging stronger relationships with local communities and with other local partner agencies working to keep people safe and are just one of the extra resources arriving in division; over the coming months, divisions will also benefit from an increase in neighbourhood police officers, rural task force officers, detectives and specialist roles as part of the Police Uplift Programme.

The Police and Crime Commissioner, Andrew Snowden said: “This is an example of what I have been pushing for, ensuring that local policing has the ability to focus on issues that matter most to people, where they live. I’m pleased that the Chief Constable is strengthening the ability of each policing division to tackle the unique challenges within their areas and help address local concerns.

“With hundreds of new police officers being recruited and getting out onto our streets to keep people safe, the reintroduction of divisional commanders will ensure accountability against what the Chief Constable and myself want to see, which is criminals off our streets, and the people of Lancashire feeling safer.

“My message remains a simple one, I am on your side. I will support the force in cracking down on criminals, making sure all of Lancashire’s areas and communities feel protected and work with the Chief Constable on the issues that matter to people, such as anti-social behaviour and getting tough on reoffending.”

Interested in joining the Constabulary? We have a number of exciting and challenging roles available. Visit our Careers site online by visiting www.lancashire.police.uk/joinus