A CRIME-fighting grandad from Hapton has been awarded £1,000 to help improve community safety in his neighbourhood.

Father-of-four Anthony Brankin, of Carter Avenue, is one of the country’s first Community Crime Fighters, trained under a pioneering Home Office scheme.

Since achieving the status last year, he has worked with police, housing associations and youth projects, tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.

The volunteer said the money would be spent on a special study visit to Walsall to learn about CCTV with a view to having it installed in his area.

The Community Crime Fighter scheme was launched following recommendations made in The Casey Review: Engaging Communities in Fighting Crime. The grants are part of a pilot programme where trained Comm-unity Crime Fighters can bid for money to undertake local crime- fighting activities Mr Brankin, a retired youth worker, said the work was “challenging”, but that he was determined to make a difference in his community.

He added: “It’s still a new concept and they are still recruiting. That’s part of my role, to get people involved.

“It isn’t easy because people only want to get involved when something directly affects them. When it does they suddenly want all the police in town in their area, but if they work together then that isn’t necessary.”

Part of Mr Brankin’s work involves setting up community meetings to discuss issues and concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour.

At these meetings, residents are encouraged to voice opinions and ideas about the best way to tackle the problems.

Mr Brankin then liaises with the police and local authorities to make sure the most effective action is taken.

Some of the grant will be used to fund the Padiham Police and Communities Together meetings.