CRIME reduction schemes across Hampshire will be boosted by additional funding released by the county’s police and crime commissioner.

Simon Hayes, police and crime commissioner for Hampshire, has created the protecting people and places fund to help finance crime reduction initiatives through his police and crime plan.

The fund has been generated from an under-spend from last year’s budget and will supplement the commissioner’s community safety fund, where £1.3m was donated to similar projects this year.

Nine projects will receive a share of £138,000 through the fund in discretionary grants of up to £5,000.

In the first phase, five street pastor schemes, the North Hants Neighbourhood Watch, the Clear Stone Trust, the Carroll Centre in Winchester, and Bridge’s Support Project will receive funding.

Mr Hayes hopes the funding will enable projects to continue the work carried out tackling community issues, or assist in the creation of pilot projects aimed at protecting people and places.

He said: “Since taking office six-months ago, I have travelled extensively across Hampshire and Isle of Wight.

Volunteers “In this time I have met many individuals, groups and organisations who play a pro-active role in keeping our neighbourhoods safe.

“Much of this impressive work is carried out by volunteers who freely offer their time for the benefit of their communities. Often this is accomplished with little or no money to cover the cost of equipment or facilities.

“I commend and support their work and by offering these grants, I know that communities across the two counties will continue to profit from their endeavours and our neighbourhoods will remain safer for everyone.

“I am an advocate of partnership working and I hope to be able to provide further funding to those groups working in partnership to tackle community issues. In encouraging new initiatives, I will endeavour to fully fund pilot schemes where there is evidence to support the effective outcome of the scheme.”

Applications for the fund, which will be considered quarterly during 2013-14, can be made at hampshire-pcc.gov.uk.