MORE than £100,000 has been awarded to community groups from a police fund created from cash seized from criminals.

The Police Property Act Fund, jointly managed by Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Anthony Stansfeld and Chief Constable John Campbell, also includes money from the sale of items that cannot be returned to their owners.

There were 61 applications to the current funding round with 27 organisations successful in receiving grants of between £1,000 to £6,925, with a total of £106,733 awarded.

The successful projects will receive funding to support a range of issues including domestic violence, exploitation of vulnerable people, gangs and knife crime.

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Mr Stansfeld said: “Voluntary organisations play an important role in the Thames Valley. I am pleased to once again provide funding from the Police Property Act Fund to support a range of projects.

"The chosen organisations are working hard to support the Police and Crime Plan with reducing re-offending, serious organised crime and terrorism across the Thames Valley. This is an excellent way of using this funding and I look forward to seeing the outcomes.”

This year’s successful recipients have been invited to attend a presentation ceremony on September 20.

Oxfordshire grants include £1,000 to Abingdon Street Pastors and £4,280 to Oxford's Aspire.