Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden has provided a share of £33,000 to two schemes in East Lancashire that help deter crime and keep people safe.

The latest investment through the community-focused strand of his Safer Lancashire Neighbourhoods Fund has seen Mr Snowden utilise cash seized from criminals, putting it back into the communities that offenders have damaged.

Projects that received grants in the latest round include investment into CCTV in Rossendale, a programme focusing on road safety in Blackburn with Darwen, and an initiative addressing anti-social behaviour concerns in Preston.

The initiatives support the delivery of the Mr Snowden's Fighting Crime Plan, engaging people in their communities and making the county safer.

The Safer Lancashire Neighbourhoods Fund has supported almost 70 projects since launching in March 2022, with nearly £1.4 million provided to schemes that support the work of Lancashire Constabulary to take the fight to criminals.

The latest organisations and projects in East Lancashire to receive funding are:

  • Beacon Rossendale - The Beacon Shed at the Whitaker project received £3,490.66 to extend their CCTV system to cover the Beacon area of the shed, storage shed and surrounding entrances.
  • IMO Charity - The Agaah - Awareness project located at the IMO charity in Blackburn with Darwen was awarded £9,950 to help fund a road safety/awareness programme, engaging parents and children to keep them safe in the evening, avoiding accidents and supporting individual marshalling at individual Madrassah.

Mr Snowden said: "I'm really pleased to invest more money, taken from criminals by our hard working police officers and staff, putting it back into the fight against crime.

"These projects join the others that I've backed, making a difference across every area of Lancashire.

"These groups know their communities, engage with local policing teams and other key partners, and work in a joined-up way to protect people and address local concerns.

"It’s even better knowing we’re using money taken from criminals, to make these areas stronger and support enforcement.

“I’ll keep working closely with the Chief Constable to make sure we’re doing what the public wants – punishing those who make life hard for others and keeping Lancashire safe.”