Police Constable Chris McKee has been awarded the Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP) Outstanding Contribution Award in recognition of his exceptional leadership and impact in supporting young people and communities across East Lancashire.

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CAPs are community-led partnerships which bring together local police, councils, schools, retailers, and community groups. Their primary goal is to reduce underage alcohol consumption and the resulting harms, improving health and well-being, and enhancing the wider community.

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Working across the East Division of Lancashire Constabulary, Chris plays a central role in supporting CAP partnerships in Burnley, Rossendale, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley and Blackburn with Darwen.

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Chris is currently leading the next stage of an award-winning CAP innovation project, developing virtual reality resources that use alcohol education content created with young people to deliver immersive learning experiences. The programme will reach hundreds of vulnerable young people across Lancashire, with Chris bringing together partners, schools and specialists to make the project possible.

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His problem-solving approach has delivered clear results in communities across the county. In Burnley, youth-related anti-social behaviour has fallen to its lowest recorded levels, significantly below national and regional averages. In Blackburn, partnership interventions have led to measurable reductions in risky behaviours among young people, including a ten percent drop in anti-social behaviour in hotspot areas compared with the previous year.

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One of Chris’s standout achievements has been the transformation of the Pheasantford Green area of Burnley, where residents had experienced persistent youth-related anti-social behaviour. By analysing data, listening to residents and forming creative partnerships, Chris worked with Burnley College and housing provider Calico to install gates at vulnerable properties as part of a practical student project. Combined with targeted patrols, this innovative solution resulted in a significant and sustained reduction in incidents, while also giving college students valuable hands-on experience.

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Chris commented: “I began working with CAP  around two years ago, and at first, I had very little understanding of what the CAP actually did. At the time, I had just taken on a new role as East Lancashire’s ASB and Prevention Officer, and I was actively seeking new partnerships that could help me address anti‑social behaviour across the area. After attending my first CAP meeting, I immediately recognised the value of being involved in as many CAP groups as possible across East Lancashire. It quickly became clear that this platform, bringing together like‑minded and dedicated professionals, could play a key role in supporting several of the projects I was planning.

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“The CAP has enabled me to build strong and meaningful connections with individuals who share the same commitment to safeguarding young people and driving positive change within our communities. Effective partnerships are essential for successful problem‑solving, and we’ve seen substantial outcomes across the CAPs in East Lancashire. One of the most significant achievements has been addressing vape‑related substance misuse among juveniles, which had been contributing to risky alcohol‑related behaviours.

“I’m grateful to all the CAP chairs and attendees who have helped turn our prevention ideas into reality. This award simply wouldn’t have been possible without the support and commitment of everyone involved, so a huge thank you to all of them.”

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Commenting on the award, CAP Director Kate Winstanley said: “PC McKee has made an extraordinary contribution to improving outcomes for young people and communities across East Lancashire. His ability to bring partners together, solve complex local problems and scale up successful prevention initiatives has delivered real reductions in anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related harm. Chris exemplifies the collaborative spirit at the heart of CAP and is a truly deserving recipient of the Outstanding Contribution Award.”

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Chris received his award at a ceremony held in the House of Commons on 2nd March 2026.

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