PEOPLE living in Hartlepool who hope to beat crime are to receive cash incentives.

Money is available to groups and organisations in the Owton and Rossmere areas to support small community safety and crime prevention schemes.

Grants of up to £2,500 are available from the Tackling Crime Together project, funded by the Owton Rossmere Single Regeneration Budget Partnership.

To be eligible for funding, schemes must aim to reduce crime and the fear of crime among residents in the partnership area by either working with community groups or improving security in buildings.

Grants are particularly targeted at groups which aim to help the elderly, disabled, young people and single parents.

Recently two grants of £2,500 were awarded to Hartlepool Crime Prevention Panel and Owton Fens Community Assocation, to help make improvements to home security.

PC Olin Hopkins, Hartlepool police crime prevention officer, said yesterday: "The Tackling Crime Together Fund is an excellent idea.

"I would urge others in the area to find out more about it and see what it can do to help them beat crime."

For more information, call Donna Marsey, on (01429) 8670354.