A new fund to help prevent crime and protect vulnerable people has been unveiled as a national campaign gets underway to reduce violence against women and girls.
Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has announced details of his Commissioner’s Safety Fund – a new grants scheme which will channel funding into community projects that help reduce the risk of crime and abuse and increase public safety.
The Fund, which amounts to £600k over the next two years, will be shared among local organisations which successfully apply and prove their project addresses the Commissioner’s key safety priorities.
Mr Matthews’ recently-published Police and Crime Plan sets out ambitious goals to reduce violent crime and improve the quality of service for domestic abuse investigations, including greater use of body-worn cameras and domestic violence protection orders/perpetrator programmes.
As part of the new fund, the Commissioner is keen to hear from organisations that can make a meaningful difference in the lives of women who are at risk of violence or abuse and their children and also aim to challenge the unhealthy attitudes and behaviour that fuel such violence.
Mr Matthews has ring-fenced £250,000 for the Fund in 2021-22 and a further £400,000 for 2022-23. Some grants have already been issued under the previous scheme and the balance for 2021-22 will be distributed before the end of March 2022.
The Fund is open for applications from any community-based group, parish council, school or business (if the business can match-fund and supply their service free of charge) and grants up to a maximum of £10,000 will be allocated per project.
Mr Matthews said: “Protecting vulnerable people is a huge responsibility but I believe our communities already have the expertise and resources within them to help my work and the work of the Police.
“The launch of the Commissioner’s Safety Fund is aptly timed to give community providers, particularly those that come to the aid of victims and survivors of violence, a financial lifeline to support their work and help address the issues impact on local people and their families.
“I am particularly keen to support projects that increase resilience and help people to make positive life choices that will protect them from harm. Above all, this Fund will support my ambitions to prevent crime before it happens and give communities a greater voice and role in delivering solutions that improve lives and futures.”
There will be six rounds of funding per year with each offer alternating between specialist and non-specialist invitations for grants.
Funding can be used for projects and initiatives that meet any of the objectives of the Police and Crime Plan and can include new initiatives/provision, to expand existing provision or as replacement funding.
For more information or to apply, visit https://www.leics.pcc.police.uk/Commissioners-Safety-Fund
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Posted on Monday 29th November 2021