The Commissioner joined young people who use the youth club, staff and volunteers that help deliver the service and partners to hear about the work they’ve been doing in the local community, developing the club, and growing networks and awareness.
CYAG was specifically set up to tackle anti-social behaviour in Colne and surrounding villages after a spike in the last few years.
The Commissioner’s funding supporting CYAG to purchase a minibus that will revolutionise the way the youth club can operate, reaching more people, providing more opportunities to those who join as a member and work closer with schools and other community groups.
The youth engagement has already made a positive difference and has been recognised by the local policing team who have a strong relationship with the group and the youth provisions they are delivering.
The fund, established in 2021 at the launch of the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan, uses cash seized by criminals through the Proceeds of Crime act to fund community projects that help tackle his five key priorities.
Speaking after the visit, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire Andrew Snowden said:
“It was great to have the opportunity to meet with those supporting and delivering the work of CYAG, and seeing first-hand young people getting stuck in and involved in the youth club that’s successfully brought the local community together and had a positive impact.
“Supporting officers getting tough on crime and anti-social behaviour by encouraging long term solutions that are owned by people who live and work in the areas impacted, is exactly what my Safer Lancashire Neighbourhoods Fund is all about.
“When I help fund projects like this through the Safer Lancashire Neighbourhood Fund, there is always a poetic irony in using cash seized from criminals and pumping it back into the community they once exploited, helping us fund projects that address root causes of crimes bettering the lives of those in the community.”
For more information on the Safer Lancashire Neighbourhoods Fund, visit https://www.lancashire-pcc.gov.uk/grant-funding/safer-lancashire-neighbourhoods-fund/
