Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Clive Grunshaw has launched a new Community Fund to deter anti-social behaviour (ASB) and keep people safe.

The first of four funding rounds began on Friday, 2nd May, inviting applications that will support short term diversionary activity projects designed to engage young people. Local organisations, charities, community groups, community safety partners, and parish and town councils can apply for up to £3,000 for projects that deliver targeted interventions, with applications demonstrating how they will address ASB and other concerns.

Three additional funding rounds will be launched throughout 2025 and into early 2026, focusing on projects that tackle violence against women and girls, business and retail crime, and reduce reoffending. All projects will be funded with proceeds of crime, where cash seized from offenders is used to make Lancashire safer.

Since the Commissioner’s election in May last year, £215k has been allocated to projects, investing back into the county and preventing crime. The application window for the summer diversionary fund closes on 26th May, with decisions on successful bids made before the end of June.

Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said:

“I’m pleased to reopen my community fund and once again work with local organisations to tackle problems in their neighbourhoods. Policing can’t stop crime and anti-social behaviour in isolation, and using the local knowledge and understanding of partners is really important.

“Crime prevention is at the heart of my police and crime plan, as it means fewer victims of crime, safer, more confident communities, and lessening some of the pressure on the policing service.

“By focusing on several areas of policing over the coming year, starting with diversion and prevention projects through the summer holiday period, we will ensure that activity delivers the most value for money, responds to what the public and our officers are experiencing in communities, and delivers on my police and crime plan priority.

“My community fund is a great way to empower communities and build public confidence, ensuring people feel safer, which is my primary aim as Commissioner and can only be delivered through strong leadership and tough scrutiny.”

Full application details and fund criteria can be found at lancashire-pcc.gov.uk/grant-funding.