RESIDENTS are being urged to join together to bid for funding to help make their communities safer.

Cheshire Police’s Safer Communities Fund was established to encourage public involvement in the prevention and reduction of crime, helping to create safer communities across Cheshire.

Over the past twelve months the fund has benefited more than 25 community groups, helping to improve the lives of thousands of residents.

Last year’s recipients’ included CRESTT (Crewe Schools Tackling Together), who were awarded £5,000 towards a project aimed at tackling bullying, which benefitted more than 3,000 children; Wynbunbury Parish Council who were given £2,000 towards road safety improvements.

David Keane, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, said: "I am committed to working with local residents and community groups to support them in delivering safer communities for the whole of Cheshire.

"The Safer Communities Fund provides grants to assist groups in tackling local concerns, and reducing crime in their area.

"Local people understand their communities better than anyone and many have some well thought out ideas on what could be done to improve their area.

“By providing funding through the Safer Communities Fund I want to empower people to make a positive impact whether they are involved in local organisations, charities, community and volunteering groups.”

For more information about the Crime Prevention Fund visit cheshire-pcc.gov.uk