£1.8million to help victims of domestic abuse, rape and sexual assault and for efforts to cut youth offending in Somerset hasbeen announced by the olice and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens.

Communities across Avon and Somerset will share in the cash after funding was awarded to local projects and initiatives. The funds will be given to local authorities to who "ensure that it is spent appropriately on projects working in their areas".

This year funding will help victims of domestic abuse  and a Somerset-based project, Children Affected by Parental Offending Project, is also one of the initiatives to be supported.

Youth Offending Teams across Somerset will also be helped in delivering substance misuse and restorative justice services to young people, with "the aim of reducing offending".

Somerset and Avon Rape and Sexual Assault Service (SARSAS), an Appropriate Adults Scheme, Sexual Assault Referral Centre and a Drug and Alcohol Arrest Referral Service, who all provide support for victims in Somerset wide, will also receive funding as part of the £1.8m grant.

Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said: "There is such great work taking place across Avon and Somerset by Community Safety Partnerships. I am delighted not only to be able to support them, but to be able to work with them to achieve the best outcomes for our local communities.

"Projects awarded community safety grants this year really focus on the Police and Crime priorities which in turn help those local people and victims who require it the most. I’m confident the funding will enable our partners to continue with their crucial work in tackling the issues that are affecting their local areas."