Almost half a million pounds is being given over to projects in East Lancashire which will see new CCTV installed to make areas feel safer for residents. 

Andrew Snowden, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire has provided £1m to several schemes across the county, helping to deter crime and keep people safe. 

Following successful bids into the fifth round of the government's Safer Street's Fund, the commissioner has now awarded money to three projects that will make areas feel safer, support enforcement and address local concerns.

A project delivering across the Pennine areas of Blackburn, Darwen, Accrington, Burnley and Rawtenstall will see £400k for the installation of new CCTV, and investment into greenspace and townlink radio.

Blackpool will benefit from £311k for new lighting, CCTV and radio links, alongside work within schools on issues such as ASB, with Blackpool FC Community Trust delivering a project with young people.

And Lancaster and West Lancashire will also receive £288k for CCTV investment and early intervention programmes.

This Safer Streets fifth round of funding is the biggest single pot to date, awarded directly to Police and Crime Commissioners.

It builds on the previous rounds of Safer Streets Funding that has seen a total of £2.6m invested into six projects, this money will support further funding of schemes that deliver the key priorities in the Commissioner’s Fight Crime Plan, deter crime, make areas feel safer and support enforcement.

Mr Snowden said: "I'm really pleased that we have been able to utilise this investment into the fight against crime here in Lancashire, towards some fantastic projects that will make a real difference to communities across the county.

"These projects address the issues that matter to people, such as anti-social behaviour, making streets safer for women and girls, and burglary and robbery. This focus on prevention backs the work of Lancashire Constabulary as they get tough on offenders, reducing the number of innocent people becoming victims.

"By using this funding from government efficiently and effectively, working in partnership, we will see projects that make a proactive, positive difference in these areas, delivering the priorities in my Fighting Crime Plan and protecting the public."

Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Cllr Phil Riley, said: “This is positive news and anything that helps to reduce crime is always welcomed.   

“The installation of new camera locations as well as upgrades to existing CCTV locations should make it easier to catch criminals and reduce crime across the borough.

“The upgrade of existing night time economy radio network in Blackburn and the implementation of a night time economy radio network in Darwen should also be effective in reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.”

Cllr Paula Burdess, cabinet member for community safety, at Blackpool Council, said: “We are delighted to receive this funding, which will supplement the work currently underway across Blackpool. In particular, we will be looking at improving lighting and CCTV in key areas including Lytham Road, Highfield Road and The Strand.

"Educational programmes will also be delivered in schools and community groups as we continue to work to develop the change and support needed to make women and children safer.”

Councillor Caroline Jackson, chair of the Lancaster district Community Safety Partnership, said: “I am delighted that the Lancaster district, working with our colleagues in West Lancashire, have been successful in the latest round of Safer Streets Funding. This funding will help us develop the skills to keep each other safe in our communities.

“In Lancaster and Morecambe it will be used to fund a bystander awareness training package that builds on our already strong partnership links with the police, BIDs and pub watches to support students who choose to study in Lancaster to feel safe in the city. 

"The additional CCTV cameras around some of the late night venues will also promote Lancaster as a safe place to come to live, study and socialise.”

Councillor Gareth Dowling, deputy leader of West Lancashire Borough Council and portfolio holder for planning and community safety, said: " The council works tirelessly through its Community Safety Partnership to ensure it does all it can to help keep everyone in the borough safe and support our colleagues in the police to achieve this.

"We are therefore very pleased that we have been successful in obtaining this funding which will be used to enhance our CCTV network and to provide proactive interventions that focus on safety in our night-time economy."