Police and Crime Commissioner for West Yorkshire | WYPCC

Does your project need help from the Safer Communities Fund?

3rd February 2020

The Safer Communities Fund is back with £200,000 of cash recovered from criminals in the pot to help local community safety projects.

This time round the fund is asking for groups who want to help tackle crime and anti-social behaviour to apply for a grant of up to £6000. 

Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), runs and oversees the fund which launched in 2014 and has now distributed over £2.8m to around 660 projects across the county.

Mark said: “Crime and anti-social behaviour are core issues for the public and can have a huge impact on feelings of safety. However, beyond the police response there is great potential for empowering communities for initiatives to divert people away from criminal and harmful behaviour before it escalates, or preventing it in the first place.

“I want to reach groups that are working really hard in their communities or with ideas to tackle these issues, especially the ones who may not yet have received funding or support, including those who might not even be aware of the Safer Communities Fund!

“To do this I really need everyone’s help in spreading the word that this opportunity exists.

“I also want to help communities work with the police and other partners to identify projects which can form part of a solution to local issues, and then encourage them to apply. It could be a small group raising awareness about how to stay safe on the roads or, it could be a youth club holding events aimed at safeguarding young people, the possibilities are endless and it could all start with an application to the fund.”

The Safer Communities Fund is financed through money recovered from criminals by West Yorkshire Police and Prosecutors. 

West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable John Robins added: “Tackling crime and antisocial behaviour remains central to keeping our communities safe and feeling safe as it is key to improving the quality of life for local residents.

“The associated issues can often become a gateway to more serious offences and we must work hard to address these at the earliest opportunity. 

“This means our Neighbourhood Policing Teams need to develop close links with local projects, which are best placed to make a difference.

“I would therefore encourage individuals and groups to take this opportunity to make an application, to potentially access this money to make a difference in their community.” 

The Safer Communities Fund is open for applications from Monday 3 February and closes at mid-day (12:00 noon) on Friday 20 March 2020. To find out more about the fund and apply visit www.westyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk/safer-communities-fund or call the office on 01924 294000.

Additionally, follow these top tips to give yourself the best chance of being successful in the fund:

  • Ensure you have read the guidance notes and terms and conditions.
  • Read the relevant section of the Police and Crime Plan to make sure your project aligns.
  • Ensure you fully complete the application form.

Some previously funded projects include:

  • STAR Youth Project KLY who received £5050 to help develop their youth centre to offer more activities for young people.
  • The Space @ Field Lane Group who received £5913 to provide a weekly activity sessions for young people with a focus on improving reading skills.
  • Huddersfield Town Foundation received £5574 to fund their ‘Get Onside’ project which will be delivered in a number of primary schools to provide educational sessions on prevalent topics including; gang culture, weapon awareness, resilience, self-belief and different taster activities.
  • St George’s Lighthouse who received £5200 to help people with drug and alcohol dependency.
  • Wakefield Trinity Community Trust who received £4880 and are using sport and the local influence of the professional club, to make a difference to the lives of local people through delivering needs led projects targeting four key areas of Sport, Education, Health and Social Inclusion.