Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, visited a project working with young people across Chorley, in areas identified as hotspots for anti-social behaviour (ASB).

The ‘Inspiring Young People’ project, which has been running since Autumn last year until Spring 2025, is working with more than 20 teenagers who may be at risk of getting involved in ASB, aiming to make a long term difference to individuals and the communities they live in through mentoring and engagement.

During the visit, Commissioner Grunshaw saw the facilities at the Inspire Youth Zone, and joined the group mentoring session being delivered through the project.

He also met one of the young people benefiting from the project, discussing the positive impact it has made to their life and engaged them in their community.

“Without Inspire, I wouldn’t be where I am today.  It’s good to talk to Steve (Mentor) without judgement.” Jake Age 15.

The scheme is just one of 64 that has been funded by the Commissioner since being elected last year, with a total of £215k invested back into Lancashire, utilising money seized from criminals.

Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire said:

“It’s fantastic to see the investment I’ve made in Lancashire’s communities in action, with cash taken from offenders used to make the county safer.

“Preventing crime and working with those who are at risk of getting involved in anti-social behaviour and other offending is an important way to keep our streets safe, and avoid young people getting involved in the criminal justice system.

“The areas we provide funding for are often, like here in Chorley, identified as hotspots for issues such as ASB, so this funding directly tackles real concerns being raised by the public.

“As Commissioner, making Lancashire a safer place to live is my primary aim. This can only be achieved by getting upstream and having strong leadership, a strong police force, and strong deterrents.”

Gemma Bathurst-Whittle from Inspire Youth Zone added:

“Working with key partners, we have been able to identify some young people who will really benefit from a tailored mentoring programme, and are seeing some wonderful outcomes for these young people, raising their aspirations, their health and wellbeing and therefore their wider life chances which benefits the community too.”