A COMMUNITY crime crackdown has been given a boost thanks to a council funding pot.

Stanley Town Council’s strategic grant fund has awarded £300 to the town’s Neighbourhood Watch Association, with the aim of eliminating crime and nuisance behaviour.

The association’s regional secretary, Susan Boggon-Smith, said the money will be used to design and print leaflets for residents, detailing how to spot and react to potential issues of anti-social behaviour and also numbers and contact details of who to call should incident occur.

She said: “It’s important for residents to feel safe in their homes and communities, but also be aware of what to do should they become the victims of crime or anti-social behaviour. This material will provide a handy reference point for people, should they need it.

“I’d like to thank Stanley Town Council for this award from the Strategic Grant Fund. It may seem like a small amount, but it has the potential to deliver significant benefit to people in and around Stanley.”

The strategic small grants pot, worth £35,000, was launched last year and is geared towards supporting smaller projects via a simple bidding process.

Councillor Carole Hampson, a Stanley Town Councillor and town Mayor, said: “It is exactly the sort of project the fund was set up to support.

“I’d urge community groups and individuals to check out the community fund, because if we can help people, we will.”