FUNDS of more than half a million pounds have been awarded to fight crime across Hampshire.

The Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner is set to receive funds of £600,030.

The money from the Safer Streets Fund will pay for projects to crack down on crimes like burglary, vehicle theft and robbery, for example by increasing street lighting and CCTV.

It comes as the Government pledges more than £18 million in funding to 40 areas of England and Wales in a bid to make them safer.

The third round of the Safer Streets Fund also opens today, providing another opportunity to bid for a share of £25 million for the year 2021/22.  

It is hoped the money will be used to make women and girls feel safer on the streets.

It is also intended for projects to change attitudes and behaviours in local communities.

Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Heritage at Southampton City Council, Councillor Spiros Vassiliou said: "It is fantastic news that the PCC [Donna Jones] has got this money to make our streets safer. It is much welcome news and I will be in touch with her on a regular basis. We [the council] met her on the first day of our administration. Crime is a key priority for us. We will be working close with her and discussing how to get more resources and funding. We want to reduce things like violent crime in the city."

The Tory councillor for Swaythling mentioned plans to tackle anti-social behaviour and "motorcycle nuisance".

He added that he will be working with the PCC to see if the city can "get some money to combat" domestic violence and crime against women.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “I will not stand by while criminals inflict fear and misery on our communities, which is why I launched the Safer Streets Fund to improve security in areas blighted by crimes like burglary, robbery and theft.   

“But it’s more than just environmental change – we need to prevent people from committing these offences in the first place as we build back safer.  

“That is why the next round will rightly look at behaviour change, with a primary focus on women and girls who are disproportionately affected by crimes like harassment in public places.”