MORE than £1.2 million has been handed to charitable organisations and good causes by the office of Cheshire’s police and crime commissioner (PCC) since 2016.

Through a Freedom of Information request, Runcorn resident Darrin Whyte asked David Keane’s office to provide the sum of money it has paid to charities or good causes since his election.

It can be revealed that £1,232,178 has been given – which has come from the community safety fund, safer communities fund and Ministry of Justice (MOJ) grant funding for the local commissioning of victims’ support services.

Mr Whyte said: “I’m sure some of these projects that have been funded will be beneficial in the fight in reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.

“The cuts to youth services have a knock-on effect for everyone, every young person needs somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to.”

Deputy chairman of Warrington Conservatives Andy Carter has also issued a statement on the issue.

He says: “It’s hardly surprising these types of FOI questions are being raised by concerned Cheshire residents against Mr Keane – we’ve seen a 13 per cent increase in the commissioner’s precept, crime levels are increasing, satisfaction in the service being delivered falling and Warrington council have axed their support for PCSOs in the town, at a time when community policing is being championed by Mr Keane.”

But Labour’s Mr Keane – who is also a Warrington borough councillor – has responded and moved to provide clarity.

He said: “The funding awarded by my office to charitable organisations or good causes are not charitable donations.

“They are funds which have been awarded to commissioned services, which work tirelessly to support victims of crime. All organisations that receive funding from the office of the PCC are required to feed back on the outcomes of their work regularly.

“My office is not responsible for any reductions in funding for youth services.

“The precept will allow us to recruit 43 additional frontline police officers and seven PCSOs in 2019.”