Commissioner funds specialist support programme to help protect vulnerable women across Lancashire

Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw met with StreetlightUK, a charity he’s awarded funding to deliver specialist outreach and one‑to‑one support for women involved in prostitution and sexual exploitation.

StreetlightUK is dedicated to enabling women in prostitution to reclaim control of their lives and find alternative solutions to the long-term challenges they face.

The project, funded with almost £4,500 through the Commissioner’s Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strand of the Community Fund, has operated since late last year and provides practical, trauma‑informed support to women in areas including Blackburn, Burnley, Preston, Lancaster and Morecambe.

The programme includes evening outreach, personalised daytime support, and online engagement for women involved in off‑street or digital forms of exploitation. It aims to increase safety, reduce harm and connect vulnerable women with services that can help them move away from exploitation.

The funding has enabled regular engagement, safety information, and essential care packs to be delivered directly to women, building trust and offering pathways into housing, health and recovery support. Between September 2025 and February 2026, the project has engaged with over 220 women and directly supported 155 women. They also spoke about several examples of women Streetlight has supported, highlighting the various ways they assist vulnerable people who may be facing complex situations.

This investment forms part of the Commissioner’s wider work to reinvest money seized from criminals back into local communities, supporting projects that improve safety and reduce risk. Previous funding rounds have backed initiatives across Lancashire that tackle vulnerability, reduce anti‑social behaviour and provide positive alternatives for those at risk of harm.

Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said:

“Women involved in prostitution and sexual exploitation often face hidden and severe risks, and too many experience violence, trauma and isolation. This funding will help ensure that vulnerable women in Lancashire have access to specialist, compassionate support that keeps them safe and gives them opportunities to move forward.

“Projects like this show the real impact of reinvesting money taken from criminals back into our communities. By supporting trusted organisations we can prevent harm, reduce exploitation and strengthen the multi‑agency work already happening across the county.

“My commitment is to make Lancashire a safer place to live and work, and that includes tackling violence against women and girls wherever it occurs and ensuring those at risk get the support they need.”

A spokesperson from StreetlightUK added:
“We are very grateful for the support from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s funding, which has enabled us to provide consistent outreach and one-to-one support to women involved in prostitution across Lancashire. This funding has allowed us to engage with vulnerable women, build trusting relationships, and offer trauma-informed, non-judgmental support.”