A FUND set up on behalf of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, Angus Macpherson, has awarded up to £3,000 to nine charities.

The fund, managed by the Wiltshire Community Foundation, is aimed at helping local groups address crime and anti-social behaviour and improve personal and community security, in line with the Commissioner’s Police and Crime plan.

Under the Police Property Act, cash or assets seized from a suspect in a police operation and is unclaimed for more than a year can be used for such a fund.

Found items unclaimed are also auctioned.

The charities which received funds are:

• C Change Empowerment which nurtures positive social attitudes and behaviours as a means of reducing antisocial behaviour

• West Lavington Youth Club, which provides a fun, free and safe place to go for young people aged between 7-17

• Swindon Women’s Aid, which offers outreach support to victims of abuse

• SPLASH which engages young people who are experiencing challenges in their lives and gives them the opportunity to participate in a positive activities

• Woodborough and District Social Club which provides an isolated community with a ‘watering hole’ and hosts a gateway club for adults with learning disabilities

• Volunteer Centre Swindon which works with individuals, groups and organisations in the voluntary sector to promote, support and develop volunteering in the community

• Clivey & Twist charity which aims to tackle an increasing problem with anti-social behaviour involving local young people

• Community First (Youth Action Wiltshire), which offers young people accreditation and qualifications in functional skills, key skills, employability, leadership and volunteering

• Salisbury Street Pastors, trained volunteers who patrol the streets of Salisbury from 10 pm to 4 am on a Friday or Saturday night to care for, listen to and help people who are thought to be vulnerable.

Mr Macpherson said: “It is an honour to be on the Community Foundation committee that decides which charities and organisations the money is awarded to.

"Reading the stories and backgrounds of all those who applied just shows how many people care and want to help their communities in Wiltshire and Swindon.

“A total of £25,000 has been awarded to small organisations that have made a real difference in their local community and for areas that are in greatest need of support. I am looking forward to meeting the recipients and to see how they have benefited from the grants.”

There will be another round of grants to be awarded shortly, to find out more visit www.wiltshirecf.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant.