MORE than £170,000 has been handed to projects dedicated to making the county safer and tackle reoffending.

The cash has come from Lancashire's police and crime commissioner, Clive Grunshaw, and has been handed to nine projects, which all look at offenders, their families and worth with them in their areas to integrate them back into the community.

Since launching the fund in 2018, £420,000 has been provided to 26 schemes across Lancashire.

Mr Grunshaw said: "In just over a year I have seen first-hand a number of the projects already helping people move away from a life of crime and integrate back in the community, which make our neighbourhoods safer.

"Tackling crime and reoffending is a key priority in my police and crime plan and by investing into initiatives that recognise the drivers that often lead to criminal behaviour and focusing on prevention, we are making a real difference in the lives of those that get back on the right track and also for the wider community.

"This is not an issue which policing can tackle alone and working in partnership with organisations who know what is needed in their area plays a key role in reducing reoffending, which can only be a good thing."