Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner awarded £80,000 to local groups and organisations as part of his Community Action Fund (CAF) initiative.

The CAF has been distributed to specific groups across the county to help enhance their area in a bid to cut crime, reduce re-offending and support victims.

In total £80,511.09 was allocated within the last financial year, a significant increase on the 2016 amount which was just under £70,000.

The CAF end of year report revealed that a total of 41 successful applications were awarded grants up to £2,500 for community projects including Lancaster Street Pastors, Rishton’s Piggy Park Community Garden Association, Fylde Walking Football Group and West Lancashire Skategroup Park.

Mr Grunshaw said: “The money provided through these grants has been extremely successful since I launched it in 2013, supporting projects that local groups know will make a real difference to people’s lives.

“The aim of the CAF is to help residents and volunteers deliver projects to enhance their local area, make it safer and help achieve my key priorities within the police and crime plan.”

The funded projects aim to help keep the people of Lancashire safe and encourage them to take part in diversionary activities from gardening initiatives to sports and youth engagement the Community Action Funds have been well received.

Encouraging other organisations to come forward with applications for their projects, Mr Grunshaw added: “Local people have great ideas about what can help in their areas which is why this action fund works so well.

“I am really looking forward to allocating the money through this scheme towards future initiatives.”

For more details about the Community Action Fund, including funding criteria and how to apply, visit the CAF section of the website or contact Lancashire Partnership Against Crime (LANPAC), which administrates the scheme on behalf of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office, by calling 01772 412796 or emailing lanpac@lancashire.pnn.police.uk