Burnley and Padiham’s MP Antony Higginbotham has applauded the Police and Crime Commissioner's latest £60k investment into the Safer Lancashire Neighbourhoods Fund. Derived from seized criminal assets, these ill-gotten gains are now been put to good use to bolster community safety efforts across the county, including in Burnley and Padiham.
Commenting on the latest round of investment by the PCC, Antony Higginbotham MP said:
There’s some justice in seizing the proceeds of crime and then using that money to put something back into the community. It’s a brilliant idea by our Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden and it has my full support.
Earlier this year I sent out information packs to all of our Parish Councils encouraging them to bid for funding for initiatives which would combat crime and anti-social behaviour. That could be for equipment, infrastructure, community engagement, pilot projects and other ideas and schemes that ultimately make people safer.
Organisations such as Rosegrove Neighbourhood Watch and the Burnley Boys and Girls Club have already received funding and I’ll continue to work with other local groups who may have ideas to tackle ASB too. Teamwork is key.
The Safer Lancashire Neighbourhoods Fund has allocated funds to eight new projects, spanning various regions within Lancashire. This initiative, which reopened for applications in Spring 2023 and includes both the Community Fund strand and the Police Innovation Fund.
The supported projects will address various aspects of community safety, including the installation of CCTV systems, improved lighting in key areas, the establishment of shop and pub watch schemes, support for street pastors, and initiatives targeting antisocial behaviour and victim prevention.
Since its inception in March 2022, the Safer Lancashire Neighbourhoods Fund has played a pivotal role in reducing crime and antisocial behaviour across the county, supporting 31 projects through its Community strand and investing over £700,000 in local initiatives.
Andrew Snowden, Police and Crime Commissioner said:
The first twelve months of my Safer Lancashire Neighbourhoods Fund saw cash, seized from criminals, being invested into strong, community focused projects that help deliver my Fighting Crime Plan and make everyone, across the county, safer.
With local groups delivering projects that target concerns in neighbourhoods, and investment towards innovative policing that keep us one step ahead of criminals, we're making a positive difference whilst hitting offenders where it hurts, their pockets.
We have seen how important it is to support local people and neighbourhoods to reduce the risk of crime, prevent victims and the role projects can have when breaking cycles of reoffending.
As I continue to lead the fight against crime, I will work closely with the Constabulary and partners across Lancashire so that any investment we make delivers value for money and, crucially, positive results that make a lasting difference.
