A new community fund offering grants of up to £2,500 has been launched to help tackle anti-social behaviour and anti-social driving in Cumbria.

Police, fire, and crime commissioner David Allen is appealing for appropriate organisations, charities, and community groups to apply for the funding.

Mr Allen said: "Whilst I’m pleased that our county is one of the safest places in the country to live, work and visit, Cumbria is not immune from the scourge of anti-social behaviour and anti-social driving.

"Antisocial behaviour can take a terrible toll on individuals, particularly if people feel their community, or their home, is not safe.

"Additionally, the effect of dangerous or reckless driving of a vehicle can lead to criminal damage to roads, other vehicles and surrounding properties.

"Drivers also risk injuring themselves, other road users, cyclists and pedestrians as they do not have full control of their vehicle and their full attention on their surroundings.

"This is why we are inviting groups, organisations and charities to apply for up to £2,500 from the Community Fund, to run local initiatives and projects that have a specific focus on reducing issues associated with these concerns.

"The Community Fund is aimed at projects which can provide early intervention opportunities for young people that will reduce or deter them from taking risks when driving, and also awareness raising programmes in local communities around the impact of anti-social behaviour, for example.

"Whenever I meet with people around the county, to listen to their views on crime and local policing, they repeatedly raise anti-social behaviour and anti-social driving as the key areas that worry them the most.

"As Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner, my role is to be the voice of residents within Cumbria, and I intend to deliver on my pledge.

"I will hold the police to account on behalf of the views and issues raised by the public and create as many opportunities as possible to tackle these areas of crime.

"It is through a local approach and by working together, with the community, local organisations and the police, that we can ensure issues which affect residents the most are dealt with.

"If any member of the public has a concern about crime in their area, or around the Constabulary or Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, please raise it with me at commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk or call 01768 217734."

Community Fund documents, including the guidance form, application form, process flow chart, and FAQs, can be found on the PFCC website at https://cumbria-pfcc.gov.uk/what-we-do/funding/community-fund

Applications to the Community Fund close on October 9 at 5pm.

Those wishing to report a crime can visit https://www.cumbria.police.uk/Report-It/, phone 101, or phone 999 if it is an emergency or if a crime is in progress.