CHARITIES and community organisations have been given £166,800 from a police fund to raise money for worthwhile causes.

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Thames Valley, Anthony Stansfeld, and Chief Constable John Campbell, has awarded voluntary and community organisations £166,800 from the Police Property Act Fund.

The Police Property Act Fund is made up of money recovered by police that cannot be returned to the original owner.

This includes recovered money acquired from criminals.

Applicants for the fund have to provide evidence on how their project would help to achieve protecting vulnerable people and preventing crimes.

These are part of the police and crime strategic plan's main priorities.

A total of 169 organisations across Berkshire applied for the fund, however just 42 organisations were successful in receiving money which ranged from £1,000 to £10,000 each.

John Campbell, chief constable, said: “Both the Police and Crime Commissioner and I are pleased to announce over £160,000 has been awarded to 42 voluntary and community groups across the Thames Valley.

“This funding will help the projects contribute to the prevention and early intervention of complex areas such as cybercrime, mental health and peer on peer abuse. I look forward to seeing the positive impact that this funding can have on our communities.”

The organisations that received the most funding were: Ok our Kids, Pilgrim Bandits and Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue.

The money is intended for the organisations to aim to support a range of issues including criminal justice experience, elder abuse and hidden harm.

Anthony Stansfeld, police and crime commissioner for Thames Valley, added: “I am pleased to once again provide funding from the Police Property Act Fund, which is money that has been recovered from criminals, to support a range of projects across the area.”

The successful recipients have been invited to attend a presentation ceremony on February 17 in Reading.