THE £1m Innovation Fund set up by Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner has benefited more than 24,000 people, according to a recent evaluation.
Shortly after his election in November 2012, Angus Macpherson launched the fund using £1m from his reserves.
Its aim was to support community and voluntary initiatives throughout Wiltshire and Swindon.
Earlier this year, Mr Macpherson commissioned The Community Foundation to evaluate each project the fund supported.
The report found that out of the 35 projects funded, 24 will continue after the end of the funding period. It also found that projects were well spread across Wiltshire and Swindon and that 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 on the Commissioner’s new-look website wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk/commissioning.
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