Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden has invested more than £156,000 into schemes that help tackle and deter crime in Lancashire.

This latest investment, through the Safer Lancashire Neighbourhoods Fund, sees cash seized from criminals go back into the communities that offenders have exploited.

The total amount redistributed since the fund launched in March 2022 is now £1.6 million.

Andrew Snowden said: "I'm really pleased I have again been able to use cash taken from offenders to help make the communities they have blighted safer.

"Alongside our work seizing cash to show criminals crime will never pay here in Lancashire, this also allows us to put this money to good use protecting the public, which is exactly what my Safer Lancashire Neighbourhoods Fund is all about.

"By focusing on the root causes of offending, lessening the likelihood of people becoming victims of crime or getting involved in it themselves, we are supporting our proactive enforcement that where needed will put criminals where they should be, behind bars.

“I will continue to work closely with the Chief Constable to ensure that we are delivering on the priorities that the public tell me they want to see, punishing those who make life a misery for others and keeping Lancashire safe.”

A total of 15 new projects across Lancashire are being backed through the community focused strand of the fund, supporting local organisations that understand their areas and help deter crime.

These include activity that addresses local anti-social behaviour concerns through diversionary activity and targeted interventions, support for vulnerable people and education on issues such as dangerous driving.

Another two projects are also funded through police innovation, backing the force with trials of new equipment to help with the fight against crime.

The Police and Crime Commissioner’s Safer Lancashire Neighbourhoods Fund has supported a range of initiatives aimed at reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in the local community, with nearly half a century of projects funded through the Community strand alone.