Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, has today launched a brand new fund to tackle knife crime across the county.

And now he's calling on community and third sector organisations to submit funding applications for projects that aim to address the known underlying causes and drivers of knife crimeCommunity groups and third sector organisations have the opportunity to bid up £20k for initiatives from a £100k funding pot which the Commissioner has set aside from the £1.8m Home Office grant.

The majority of the funding is being used to support additional operational activity.The Home Office grant has also been used to secure a number of knife "arches" for use in town and city centres or at specific events where there are concerns regarding the potential for carrying or using knives.

A number of knife bins have been obtained with this funding to ensure there are adequate opportunities for the surrender of knives and other bladed items.

Commenting, Clive Grunshaw said: "Tackling crime and developing safe and confident communities are key priorities for me and this funding will enable organisations with the experience and know-how to get involved in reducing knife crime and serious violence in Lancashire.

"I fully support the ‘public health’ approach to violent crime. We continue to lose too many young lives to knife crime and serious violence and it’s crucial that all parts of our society work together to tackle it head-on and make our communities safer.

"This fund is a fantastic opportunity for community and third sector organisations to apply for funding for projects that can reduce the cycle of knife crime and serious violence through diversionary and targeted interventions.

"Policing alone cannot prevent people offending and that is why I continue to support initiatives that break the cycle offenders all too often find themselves trapped in, moving them away from a life of crime."

The Fund opened for applications today, Monday 21^st October and will close to applications on Friday 15th November at 5pm. It will be subject to strict criteria that will need to be met before funding is issued. Full details here: https://www.lancashire-pcc.gov.uk/ou...ence-reduction