A group’s efforts to make its town safe has been given a cash boost by the Northern Echo.

Editor Peter Barron presented £2,000 to the Shildon Community Safety Partnership in County Durham.

The cash was provided in the form of a grant from the Gannett Foundation, a charity-wing of the Echo’s parent company.

Peter present the cheque to members
of the safety partnership

The money will be used to help promote the Be Safe Initiative, which has been launched by the partnership to reduce the fear of crime in the town.

It will help buy personal alarms for schoolchildren and bags with reflectors on the straps for the elderly.

Carol Fletcher, who is the treasurer for the partnership, said: “It is wonderful that we have been given this money because it will help us to help the people of Shildon to reduce crime and the fear of crime.

“This is all about making people feel safe to walk the streets.”

Peter said: “I am delighted that the money is going to such a good cause and to a group that does such wonderful work.”