Commissioner Grunshaw visits bike project helping put the brakes on crime

Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner saw first-hand how a project in West Lancashire is helping provide opportunities and divert people at risk of offending, which he has backed with funding seized from criminals.

The Bike Works community bike shop provides work experience and mentorship, working with partners to actively engage young people at risk of offending. This aims to help young people re-engage with education, employment and other opportunities.

Alongside working on bike repairs, there are other opportunities, including volunteering and mentoring in the new community café.

Through working with local agencies and relationships, the project also encourages and strengthens community involvement and social inclusion, which reduces the risks around anti-social behaviour.

Hundreds of young people took part in the programme, which builds on the fantastic community work already taking place at the Greenhey Place site.

This investment further boosted the work of police and local councils this summer holiday to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour in town centres and create positive opportunities and safer streets as part of the Government’s #SaferStreetsSummer campaign.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, Clive Grunshaw said:

“Preventing crime and strengthening local communities is what my Community Fund is all about, and it’s clear to see how this is a core objective of the work happening at The Bike Works.

”The activities taking place over the summer and throughout the year have provided essential support to individuals and delivered meaningful benefits to the wider community.  I’m proud to have supported this important work by reinvesting money recovered from criminal activity back into our communities—helping to make our streets safer for everyone.”

“By supporting initiatives like this, we’re easing pressure on policing and delivering real value for money—helping to prevent crime and ensure justice is served.”