COMMUNITIES including Chard and Ilminster will benefit from over £1.8 million this year after funding was awarded by the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner to help local projects and initiatives.

The money will be spent on community safety activities which support Sue Mountstevens’ approach as set out in her refreshed Police and Crime Plan.

The pot of cash is made available to local authorities who will ensure that it is spent appropriately on projects working in their areas.

Somerset and Avon Rape and Sexual Assault Service (SARSAS), an Appropriate Adults Scheme, Sexual Assault Referral Centre and a Drug and Alcohol Arrest Referral Service, who all provide support for victims Avon and Somerset-wide, will also receive funding as part of the £1.8m grant.

Ms Mountstevens said: “There is such great work taking place across Avon and Somerset by Community Safety Partnerships.

“I am delighted not only to be able to support them, but to be able to work with them to achieve the best outcomes for our local communities.

Projects awarded community safety grants this year really focus on the police and crime priorities which in turn help those local people and victims who require it the most.

“I’m confident the funding will enable our partners to continue with their crucial work in tackling the issues that are affecting their local areas.”

Ms Mountstevens will continue to work closely with local community safety partners to ensure the fund helps local agencies to work together to protect vulnerable people, provide better services for communities and limit the impact of tightening budgets.

She added: “We all have and are working towards the same aim, to keep our local communities safe and feeling safe.”

The grants will be paid to local authorities to commission work through community safety partnerships, youth offending teams and drug and alcohol actions teams.

All the grants awarded by the PCC for 2015/16 as well as the crime plan and local plans can be viewed online.