Police commissioner dishes out £712,000 to groups after '˜protecting' budget amid political row

It comes after charities were warned they may not get cash after police commissioner Michael Lane lost a crucial budget vote.

But now Mr Lane has revealed he has dished out £1.3m across 64 grants – 160 applications had been made for £4.4m.

As reported, a letter was sent to organisations bidding for cash warning them the total cash available would be reduced following Mr Lane losing the budget vote.

But Mr Lane has said he has ‘protected’ this round of grants so people did not lose out.

Mr Lane’s office said 29 groups across The News’ area are to receive a slice of £712,299.

They include Active Communities Network, the drug intervention programme at the Safer Portsmouth Partnership, and Southern Domestic Abuse Service for their work with victims of child sexual exploitation.

Portsmouth City Council’s Up2U programme, which works with people who use abusive or violent behaviour in their relationships, is also set to get cash, along with youth charity Motiv8.

In a statement, Mr Lane said: ‘My team and I have had an extraordinary number of applications, many to the highest standard, revealing the level of unmet demand to support vulnerable people in our communities. They also reflect the range, depth, dedication and creativity of our service providers.

‘The need expressed within these applications, unfortunately, greatly outweighs the funding that I have at my disposal to meet that need.

‘I have been listening carefully to some public and institutional questions about the priorities I have placed on the balance between funding policing efforts directly, alongside my activities beyond policing.

‘As a result, I have decided to protect the funding of this grants round and ensure that it is not reduced.

‘Supporting victims, protecting the vulnerable, reducing offending are an absolute priority and sit appropriately alongside enabling effective operational policing.’

Mr Lane’s budget proposed losing 160 police jobs but an increase of £440,000 for ‘essential staff’ and £700,000 for the revenue budget from reserves to provide for a fund.

The Hampshire Police and Crime Panel insisted he must spend a £12-a-year council tax hike on policing and staff – sparking the letter to charities.