Money raised through the sale of seized stolen goods is to be used on making Cornwall’s roads safer.

Groups fighting to improve road safety in their town or village can now bid for a share of £25,000.

It will be given to projects in Cornwall that aim to slow drivers down, stop anti-social road use and prevent accidents.

Cornwall has the second highest death rate on the roads in the south west, with 103 people dying in incidents over the last five years.

In 2018 alone, 303 people were reported as being hurt and there were 21 fatalities, with Cornwall having more than 7,500 kilometres of roads, varying from major roads to narrow country lanes.

Now funding has been made available from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, through the Cornwall Crimebeat Fund.

This is being managed by the Cornwall Community Foundation.

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: “On a daily basis communities across Cornwall are being affected by people driving dangerously so it’s absolutely right that I should try to help those communities do something about it.

“The answer to most problems lies within communities themselves so, through Cornwall Community Foundation, we are asking interested groups how they would make the roads where they live safer - to slow drivers down, stop antisocial road use, prevent accidents and ultimately save lives.

“They will be able to apply for a share of £25,000 which will come largely from the Property Act fund, money that has been raised by selling off items that have been seized from criminals.”

Tamas Haydu, chief executive of Cornwall Community Foundation which manages the fund, described it as a “generous investment”.

He said: “It enables the Crimebeat Fund to provide grants for community projects that make Cornwall a safer place for drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians and passengers.

“Our experience shows clearly that small grass roots initiatives, led by local people, make a real difference.”

The fund supports community projects dealing with persistent antisocial behaviour and since 2013 has invested £115,000 in local community crime prevention initiatives.

For more information or to apply to the Crimebeat Fund for a road safety grant, visit the Cornwall Community Foundation website cornwallcommunityfoundation.com.