By Joshua Robinson –
Community groups working to improve safety are being urged to apply for a share of £1 million of funding that was made available on 9 October by the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin.
The Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund takes cash seized from criminal activities by police and prosecutors and grants it to projects that are making their neighbourhoods safer.
With £1 million available, this is the largest Safer Communities Fund to date, bringing the fund’s total since 2021 to over £2.3 million.
The theme of this grant round is ‘Multiple and Complex Needs’, a key priority of the Mayor’s Police and Crime Plan. Organisations working to reduce re-offending and support victims are encouraged to apply.
Mayor Brabin said: “In West Yorkshire, we’re using the ill-gotten gains of criminals to build a safer, fairer region.”
“We have £1 million of cash seized from criminals to invest into projects working right at the heart of our communities.”
“If you have an idea that will make your local area and its residents safer, we want to hear from you.”
West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable John Robins QPM DL said: “This is an opportunity for deserving causes who work to reduce re-offending and support victims of crime in West Yorkshire to benefit from asset seizures made by the police.”
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“I know that removing ill-gotten gains from criminals gives tremendous satisfaction to our officers.”
“The fact that organisations who help make our communities stronger and safer are supported by the Mayor’s fund is equally pleasing.”
Since 2021, the Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund has supported 222 projects, benefitting 177,475 people across West Yorkshire including:
- Staying Put who used their funding to deliver domestic abuse and sexual violence awareness sessions for women and girls in Bradford.
- Out in the Valley are supporting older members of the LGBTQIA+ community, providing face to face meeting opportunities in a safe and inclusive environment.
- In Kirklees, Make Things Happen Football Club provided a youth club for 10–17-year-olds with mentoring and support to gain coaching qualifications.
- Stop Hate UK channelled their funding into a project working in Leeds schools to raise awareness and understanding of hate crime, the consequences, and the harm it causes.
- In Wakefield, Blossom Training and Development are offering training courses for women and girls in self-defence, as well as information on UK law, body language, and human behaviour.
With this latest round of funding, organisations can apply for a grant from one of the three funding pots:
- Pot 1: Minimum of £15,000 – maximum of £20,000 from a pot of £750,000, to give larger projects more flexibility.
- Pot 2: Up to £8,000 from a pot of £250,000 for smaller initiatives.
- Pot 3: The collaboration pot – e.g. two organisations can apply together for a maximum of £40,000.
Organisations must apply for a grant by midday on 10 November 2023. Full terms and conditions, including more information on the theme and how to apply, are available on the West Yorkshire Combined Authority website.
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