Victims and witnesses of crime will receive crucial support to the tune of a quarter of a million pounds.

Some £250,000 has been handed to services in Sussex which work with those who have been affected by crime.

Organisations were invited to apply for up to £20,000 of the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner fund, with 16 approved providers winning some of the grant.

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “Each year I look forward to awarding financial grants to successful applicants within my Safe Space Sussex funding network.

“Since its inception, the network of organisations continues to grow allowing us to have a wealth of top-quality services here in Sussex.

“The fund offers specialist and tailored support to a wide variety of people and communities. The collaborative work that is enabled across services is invaluable because it plays an important part in victim and witnesses of crime being able to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

READ MORE: Uckfield: Police statement after graffiti vandal attacks cars

“All the services that have been awarded funding display dynamic and innovative approaches, thereby strengthening the effective support we are able to offer across the county and reaching people who are most in need of help.”

The support networks chosen by Ms Bourne include LGBTQ+ services, stalking awareness organisations, programmes that deliver support for victims of sexual assault and domestic abuse, as well as support for elderly survivors of crime and development of training for staff focusing on child sexual exploitation.

Helena Croft, CEO of Streetlight UK which supports women involved with prostitution and violence, said: “The work of Streetlight UK enables an often forgotten and vulnerable group of women to access vital local services.

“The support of Katy Bourne has been significant in helping us to effectively tackle sexual violence and modern-day slavery across the region. We are so thankful for their ongoing support.”

And CEO of Lifecentre, Kathryn Slatter, also thanked the Police and Crime Commissioner.

She said: “We are grateful to Katy Bourne and her office for their support through the Safe Space Sussex funding. This grant will help us provide life-changing therapy to survivors of sexual violence.”