THE police and crime commissioner (PCC) has awarded over £200,000 to several crime projects that support the vulnerable across Hampshire.

PCC, Donna Jones has awarded £263,000 to 51 projects that support victims, reduce offending or re-offending, and protect the vulnerable from crime and exploitation.

She said: “I am pleased to be able to provide this funding to support 51 local projects that aim to support victims and cut offending.

"While my number one priority is to put more officers on the streets, helping people to be and feel safer takes more than just the police alone.“

The PCC sets out in her police and crime plan, which determines out the top priorities for policing, that preventing young people from committing crime is one of her main priorities.

She added: “The work organisations do with offenders to reduce re-offending, and interventions to stop people from being exploited or engaging in criminal behaviour, are also vital in the fight against crime.

“Helping victims to secure the justice they deserve is essential as is providing the emotional, mental and practical support they need to recover.”

The round of funding sees several organisations benefit, including Pompey in the Community, No Limits, Y-Services, Saints Foundation, Oarsome Chance, Yellow Brick Road, and Motiv8.

They will all receive funding to work with vulnerable young people who are at risk of taking part in criminal behaviours including county lines.

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In addition, there are education and crime prevention workshops being funded including Yellow Door’s STAR project, teaching schoolchildren about healthy and unhealthy relationships, and Youth Options’ crime awareness programme for primary schools.

PCC Donna Jones has previously spoken out about issues surrounding the pandemic, which led to an increasing number of people experiencing domestic abuse, and in the past year tackling Violence Against Women and Girls.

The grants also include a project that will work with victims of domestic abuse in rural communities and projects to support children aged six to 10 who have lived with domestic abuse.

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