ESSEX Police is to receive more than £400,000 from the Government to crack down on crime as the country begins to re-open from the pandemic.

A total of £432,000 – from the Safer Streets Fund – will pay for projects to crack down on crimes like burglary, vehicle theft and robbery. For example, by increasing street lighting and CCTV.

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, Roger Hirst, said: "This is all about prevention. Nationally we have had conversations about what we can do on prevention.

"The Government wanted to make money available in a one off capital investment that would have a permanent impact."

Mr Hirst added: "This is much more about long term investment to make sure spaces are safer and crime can't thrive."

The third round of the Safer Streets Fund opens today (Monday, June 7) and provides another opportunity to bid from a fund of £25 million for the year2021/22.

This next round of funding willfocus on helping make women and girls feel safer on the streets and change attitudes and behavioursin local communities.