West Yorkshire residents are being handed the power to decide how half a million pounds will be spent in their local areas to combat crime and improve community safety.

As part of a major regional initiative, the upcoming Tackling Serious Violence Together, YOU DECIDE events will see local groups pitch their crime-fighting projects directly to the public.

Residents will then cast their votes, and the projects that receive the most backing will be granted the necessary funding to bring their ideas to life.

What is The People’s Fund?

The driving force behind this initiative is The People’s Fund.

According to the official mandate: “The People’s Fund to tackle serious violence offers £500,000 to people across West Yorkshire who are delivering projects working to tackle serious violence.”

Each district across West Yorkshire has been allocated up to £100,000. Local groups and organisations successfully applied for grants of up to £10,000 each (or up to £30,000 for a three-agency partnership bid).

“This initiative is part of Mayor Tracy Brabin’s effort to create a co-produced serious violence strategy for the region.”

While region-wide applications for funding have now closed, the crucial next phase, the voting process, is just beginning. Project delivery is scheduled to run from 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2027.

Power to the People: The ‘You Decide’ Event

For residents in Kirklees District, the local voting event is right around the corner.

• Date: Thursday, 21 May 2026

• Time: 5:45 pm to 9:00 pm

• Eligibility: You must live in the Kirklees District to be eligible to vote at this specific event.

During the evening, community groups, charities, and service providers will step up to the podium.

Each project must make a presentation clearly outlining:

• What they want to do

• What difference will it make

• How much will it cost

Residents in attendance will then evaluate the pitches and vote on what they want to see delivered in their community.

Attendees must sign up in advance via Eventbrite: The People’s Fund: You Decide Event – Kirklees District Tickets.

Funding the Fight Against Violence

The grants aim to fund a wide variety of local interventions, focusing heavily on education, prevention, awareness, and improving overall community safety.

Officials have noted that they especially encouraged projects designed to tackle:

• Knife crime

• Violence against women and girls

• Gang exploitation

However, any project effectively addressing serious violence was considered during the application phase.

Current recipients of the Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund were also permitted to apply.

Rebuilding Communities: Clear, Hold, Build

A unique aspect of this year’s funding is its integration with the Home Office’s Clear, Hold, Build framework.

This strategy helps local police forces tackle serious and organised crime. It aims to reclaim and rebuild areas affected by organised crime, making them safer and boosting public confidence in police and partners.

The Mayor recognises that the “Build” element of this initiative directly supports safer communities.

As such, applications supporting this specific framework were limited to highly targeted areas across the region:

• Bradford: BD3 only

• Calderdale: Park Ward

• Kirklees: Ashbrow only

• Leeds: Harehills only

Key Dates Across West Yorkshire

While the Kirklees event is highly anticipated, voting events will be taking place across all five West Yorkshire districts.

An online briefing will occur before the events kick off. If invited, applicants must present their projects in person.

Residents are encouraged to secure their tickets early and take an active role in shaping a safer future for West Yorkshire.