EIGHT organisations that help young people and victims of crime across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have received grants totalling £84,000 from the Hampshire Police Authority.

The annual grants from the authority’s Crime Prevention Committee were awarded to the Be Your Best Foundation – Global Rock Challenge, (£25,000), Victim Support Hampshire and Isle of Wight (£28,000), Southampton Race Crisis and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service (£2,500), The Winchester Area Action Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service (£4,500), The Basingstoke Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (£4,500), Portsmouth Area Rape Crisis Service (£6,000), Hampshire Bobby Trust (£7,500) and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Crimestoppers Board (£6,000) Ray Palmer, vice-chairman of the Crime Prevention Com-mittee, said: “Each of these groups performs a vital service in our communities, working closely with those who have been affected as victims of crime. The Global Rock Challenge performing arts competition brings out the best in young people without them needing to turn to tobacco, alcohol or drugs.”