Safer Communities Fund project tackling violent crime
3 May 2019
A project, majority funded by money recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), has been helping to tackling violent crime in Bradford.
Neesie were awarded £4915.14 from the Safer Communities Fund which is run by Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and funded by money recovered from criminal assets by West Yorkshire Police and prosecutors.
Neesie's project 'Life not Knife' focused on working with young people to develop educational zero tolerance campaigns on gun and knife crime in Bradford.
Neesie worked with students at Carlton Bolling and Appleton Academy and focused on the dangers of knife crime, tackling issues of gang crime, anti-social behaviour and up skilling individuals on practical ways of discouraging them away from violent crime. Once developed, the students then spoke to members of the public about their campaigns to gain support.
An event was held yesterday (02/05) at the Carlisle Business Centre to recognise and celebrate the project.
Noreen Khan, Director of Neesie, said: "Neesie is delighted with the outcome of the Safer Communities funded 'Life not Knife' programme. It has enabled us to develop 100 knife crime ambassadors and will embed a sustainable legacy within the community.
"Students of Carlton Bolling College and Appleton Academy were fantastic in the development of this programme and played a pivotal role in raising awareness of such an important issue.
"Neesie are grateful to the Police Crime Commissioner for acknowledging the programme and look forward to his continued support."
PCC Mark Burns-Williamson, said: "I am passionate about tackling violent crime and local projects such as Neesie play such a valuable role in working with young people, specifically focusing on providing crucial early intervention and prevention measures.
"My thanks to Noreen Khan and her team for all their hard work on this project, and particularly to all the pupils who got involved and have become ambassadors."
The Safer Communities Fund is currently open for applications until 24th May (12:00 noon). Grants of up to £6,000 available from a total funding pot of £200,000.
For the first time ever, the fund has a split funding pot. Half of the money will be available to projects looking to either tackle drugs and alcohol misuse or work focusing on young people, with the other half open to applications looking to address any of the priorities in the Police and Crime Plan.