The Home Office is launching a new multi-million pound scheme which will see more street lights and gated alleyways rolled out across the country in order to tackle crime.

The £25m Safer Streets Fund will open this week for bids from police and crime commissioners (PCCs) across England and Wales to fund initiatives aimed at reducing incidents of theft, robbery and burglary.

PCCs can use the fund to increase street lighting, install better locks and gate alleyways, according to the Government.

They can also invest the money in other types of crime prevention, such as training community wardens, and delivering local crime prevention advice to residents or Neighbourhood Watch schemes.

Successful areas will receive grants of up to £550,000.

‘We are determined to cut crime and make our streets safer. That’s why we are backing the police with more resources and recruiting 20,000 new officers,’ said policing minister, Kit Malthouse.

‘This fund will help prevent people falling victim to crimes which can have a real impact on a community, like burglaries or theft.’

Association of Police and Crime Commissioners lead for prevention, Roger Hirst, said: ‘I welcome the launch of this fund which will help to tackle acquisitive crime by investing in a more preventative approach.

‘Preventing crime in the first place is better for the public and reduces demand on policing. We want to ensure that this funding is used to drive down crime in the most effective way, including through targeting key local hotspots.

‘Police and crime commissioners, in formulating bids, will work closely with local partners to identify those measures that are most likely to make our communities safer.’