The Community strand of the fund reopened on 13th March 2023, welcoming new applications from community organisations, parish councils, Community Safety Partnerships and charities for schemes that will help the Commissioner deliver his Fighting Crime Plan priorities, with a focus on getting tough on antisocial behaviour and targeting dangerous drivers.
31 projects have been supported so far through the Community Fund, with grants between £1k and £10k provided to local projects. This can include equipment, infrastructure, community engagement, pilot projects and other ideas and schemes that ultimately make people safer and help in the fight against crime in Lancashire.
Both the Commissioner and his Deputy have already visited a number of the projects that have been funded so far, as his Office continues to evaluate the projects throughout their delivery and better understand what works, what could be replicated elsewhere and the impact they are having on local communities.
Projects have been supported through the other stands of the Safer Lancashire Neighbourhoods Fund; the Police Innovation Fund and Fighting Crime Grants – which, when combined with the Community Fund, in total saw £594,389.75 invested to tackle crime and make communities safer.
Andrew Snowden, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire said:
“I’m really proud of all the work my Safer Lancashire Neighbourhood Fund has supported over the past 12 months. We have seen some really strong applications that have addressed issues that matter to people, supported local policing teams and strengthened communities and I’m pleased that we’re able to build on this as we reopen the Fund for applications.
“Whilst my Fighting Crime Plan rightly focuses on enforcement and getting tough on offenders, by investing into the county through the Safer Lancashire Neighbourhoods Fund, we can address some of the root causes of crime and look at innovative ways to deal with local concerns, deter and prevent crime.
“It is a poetic irony that by getting tougher on asset seizures and hitting criminals where it hurts, in their pockets, we are going to be able to increase the investment back into the communities they have hurt to make them more resilient to crime and safer for the people they have impacted.
“I will continue to work closely with the force and partners across Lancashire to ensure the investment I’m making delivers value for money and crucially, positive results that have a lasting, positive impact, tackling crime and making people feel safer.”