CASH is being made available to deal with anti-social behaviour on Cumbrian streets.

MP for Carlisle John Stevenson is encouraging Cumbria to bid for a share of the £150 million funding that will be made available in the fourth round of the 'Safer Streets' fund.

The 'Safer Streets' programme provides funding to areas most affected by crime and anti-social behaviour, and will allow local authorities, civil society organisations and police and crime commissioners to bid for up to £500,000 per year for each project.

Mr Stevenson said: “I am determined to see crime in our community fall, which is why I am encouraging Cumbria to apply for new funding from the fourth round of the Safer Streets Fund.

“The focus of this round of the Safer Streets Fund on neighbourhood crime, violence against women and girls, and anti-social behaviour means that along with the 20,000 new police officers we are recruiting across England and Wales, everyone can feel safe in their local community.

“This is another important step in our mission to level up the country and build back safer from the pandemic.”

The latest round of the fund targets neighbourhood crime, violence against women and girls and – for the first time – anti-social behaviour, an issue which has risen to prominence in Carlisle since lockdown ended.

Examples of how the funding has been used in the past include setting up neighbourhood watch groups, increased CCTV and introducing wardens to undertake community engagement and train members of the public in crime prevention.

Cash has also been used to improve the security for thousands of homes that were vulnerable to burglary with alleyway gates installed to prevent an easy escape for offenders.

The fourth round of funding will run over the next three financial years for police and crime commissioners and local authorities across England and Wales, as well as certain civil society organisations.

READ MORE: Police in Carlisle continue to tackle anti-social behaviour

READ MORE: Carlisle mayor says 'enough is enough' after yet more anti-social behaviour reports