THE North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner has been awarded more than £485,000 to tackle burglaries and vehicle thefts.

The UK Government has pledged more than £18 million in funding to 40 areas of England and Wales in a bid to make them safer.

The money, 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.

Councils and police and crime commissioners (PCCs) will receive a share of the £18.3million.

Andy Dunbobbin, North Wales PCC, receives £485,535.

Other PCCs to receive the targeted funding include Dyfed Powys (£87,338), Merseyside (£819,532) and Gwent (£699,564).

Crime and Policing Minister Kit Malthouse said: "Persistent street crime and burglary have a corrosive effect on a neighbourhood, leaving people apprehensive about leaving their homes, and afraid of what they might encounter when they return. But simple modifications like better street lighting or CCTV can do a lot to prevent crime.

"So alongside more focussed thief-taking by the police, these projects should have a big impact on the communities hardest hit by burglars, robbers and villains in general."

A new round of the Safer Streets Fund allowing authorities the chance to bid for a further £25 million to focus on projects to help women and girls feel safer on the streets begins today.