A POT of £1m trickling out helped 24,000 people to worthwhile schemes has benefited more than 24,000 people since its inception, according to a new report.

Shortly after his election in November 2012, Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson launched the Innovation Fund, making use of money from his reserves.

The idea was to support community and voluntary initiatives throughout Wiltshire and Swindon which would help to achieve the six main priorities set out in his original Police and Crime Plan.

Awards were made in three waves – July 2013, November 2013 and March 2014.

Grants have already been awarded to projects including the dedicated sex outreach worker for Swindon, and National Ugly Mugs, aimed at sharing information about violent offenders; £29,600 has also gone to Social Care in Action, which sought to provide assistance to up to 200 vulnerable adults within the first few days of leaving custody in Swindon.

The Swindon Youth Offending Team also benefited from a grant of £78,000, to help employ a specialist speech and language therapist to help youngsters overcome communication issues.

Jane Scott, the Leader of Wiltshire Council, David Renard, the leader of Swindon Borough Council, the then Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police, Pat Geenty, and Rosemary Macdonald of The Community Foundation for Wiltshire and Swindon advised Mr Macpherson on the applications.

Earlier this year, Mr Macpherson commissioned the Community Foundation to evaluate the work.

Out of the 35 projects funded, 24 will continue after the end of the funding period, and more than 24,000 people will have benefited from the projects.

Mr Macpherson said: “I am delighted by the conclusions that the Community Foundation has reached.

“I was particularly interested in supporting innovative ideas which would make a lasting difference to community safety and help to break cycles of crime and anti-social behaviour, including supporting repeat offenders.

“The report demonstrates the vitality of the community and voluntary sector in Wiltshire and Swindon.”

The full report is available at wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk/commissioning