LANCASHIRE'S police force has been given £1.5million to tackle serious violence and knife crime.

The cash is part of a £100m emergency funding announced by Home Secretary Sajid Javid.

Pendle MP and government minister Andrew Stephenson has welcomed the cash boost which has caused a political row.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the money was too little too late.

Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said the problem could not be solved with 'a one-time cash injection'.

The two Labour politicians were reacting to Mr Javid's announcement giving details of the £100m promised by Chancellor Philip Hammond in his Spring Statement last month.

The cash is being split between18 police forces in England and Wales. with £35m is being used to set up violence reduction units, which bring together bodies including local councils, police, health and social care staff.

Another £14 million is being held back for forces that see a surge in violence in the coming months, leaving £51 million for front-line policing.

Lancashire will receive £1.5m (two per cent of the pot) and the Metropolitan police £17m (26 per cent).

Mr Khan said: “It is extremely disappointing that the Government has broken its promise immediately to give police forces across the country £100 million of emergency funding to tackle violent crime.

“We were told by the Chancellor this funding would be available right away, but ministers have sat on their hands for more than a month and have not even allocated the full amount of funding they promised."

Mr Grunshaw said: "Up and down the country we are continuing to see the tragic impact of knives being used on our streets and whilst I welcome additional funding to help strengthen our immediate response to knife crime and serious violence, this is a deep rooted, societal problem that cannot be solved with a one-time cash injection.

"Resources remain extremely stretched with 800 fewer officers and 350 fewer staff. "

Mr Stephenson said: “I am delighted that police in Lancashire will receive £1.5 million extra to tackle the violent crime that has been robbing too many young people of their futures.

“The Conservative Party will always ensure that the police have the powers and resources needed to keep our community safe.

"Sadiq Khan is playing politics as usual, rather than dealing with knife crime that has soared on his watch.

"The government promised £100m and have delivered £100m."